Is an IQ of 170 Good? What It Means & Where You Stand
Classification
Exceptionally Advanced
Percentile
99.999th
Rarity
1 in 650,000
High
What Does an IQ of 170 Mean?
An IQ of 170 is so rare that only about 1 in 650,000 people reach this level — roughly 500 people in the entire United States. Standard IQ tests cannot measure at this height; specialized assessments are required. People at this level process information in ways that are fundamentally different from the general population, often making intuitive leaps that take others months or years to follow logically.
An IQ of 170 places you at the 99.999th percentile, which means you scored higher than approximately 99.999% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. This score falls into the Exceptionally Advanced range on the IQ scale. With a rarity of 1 in 650,000, this score is uncommon and indicates strong cognitive abilities.
To understand how IQ scores are calculated and what they measure, see our complete guide on what IQ is and how it works. For a full breakdown of all score ranges and their meanings, visit our IQ score ranges page.
Career Context for an IQ of 170
People at the 170 level are found among Nobel laureates, Fields Medal winners, and transformative innovators. Many create entirely new fields or paradigms rather than working within existing ones. Traditional career structures are often inadequate for this level of ability.
How Does an IQ of 170 Compare?
Here's how a score of 170 compares to nearby IQ scores:
| Score | Classification | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| IQ 155 | Exceptionally Advanced | 99.99th |
| IQ 160 | Exceptionally Advanced | 99.997th |
| IQ 165 | Exceptionally Advanced | 99.999th |
| IQ 180 | Exceptionally Advanced | 99.99997th |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 170 a good IQ score?
A 170 IQ is among the rarest cognitive abilities documented. Only about 1 in 650,000 people score this high. It represents extraordinary processing ability at the extreme edge of human cognition.
Who has a 170 IQ?
Very few verified scores exist at this level. Some estimates place chess champion Garry Kasparov near 190 and various Nobel laureates in the 160-180 range. Precise measurement at these extremes is inherently difficult.
What is life like with a 170 IQ?
People at this level often describe profound intellectual isolation, frustration with the pace of normal interaction, and an overwhelming drive to understand complex systems. Finding intellectual peers is one of the biggest challenges.
Explore Other IQ Scores
Take our free IQ test to find out where you stand, or learn more about what IQ really measures.