What IQ Score Is Considered Normal
When people learn their IQ, the first question is always: "Is that good or bad?"
What IQ 100 means
100 is the median — the 50th percentile. Exactly half of all people score higher, half score lower. This is "normal" in the statistical sense.
The scale in percentiles
| IQ | Percentile | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | 16% | Higher than 16% of people |
| 100 | 50% | Median |
| 115 | 84% | Higher than 84% of people |
| 130 | 98% | Top 2% — gifted threshold |
| 145 | 99.9% | Top 0.1% |
Why a single test isn't the final word
IQ is a snapshot of today. Fatigue, stress, and unfamiliarity with the format all affect results. Professional psychologists look at multiple measurements over time.