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By Ankit Gupta
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Updated on 26 May 2025, 17:21 IST
IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is one of the most well-known measures of human intelligence. But have you ever wondered who has the highest IQ in the world? Over the years, many individuals have been recognized for having the highest IQ scores ever recorded. In this article, we’ll explore the history of IQ testing, how IQ is measured, and introduce you to the person with the highest IQ and others who have made the list of the most brilliant minds.
The official IQ test was first created by French psychologist Alfred Binet in the early 20th century. He designed the test to identify children in need of special education. Later, this test became widely used to understand a person’s cognitive abilities or intellectual potential.
Over time, IQ tests have become an important tool in education, psychology, and employment. They are often used to identify gifted children, diagnose intellectual disabilities, or measure general intelligence in academic research.
IQ scores are standardized, which means they are designed to have an average score of 100.
Here’s how IQ levels are generally categorized:
| IQ Range | Category |
| 130 and above | Very Superior Intelligence |
| 115 – 129 | Above Average |
| 85 – 114 | Average |
| 70 – 84 | Below Average |
| Below 70 | Intellectual Disability |
Most people score between 85 and 115. However, a person with the highest IQ can score well above 130 — and sometimes even beyond 200!
If you are wondering who has the highest IQ in the world, the answer might surprise you.
According to the Giga Society, a group that includes people with extremely high IQs, YoungHoon Kim from South Korea currently holds the record for the highest IQ ever recorded — a staggering score of 276.
The table below presents a list of the top 10 individuals with the highest IQ based on IQ test scores recognized by high-IQ societies like Giga Society and the World Genius Directory.
| Rank | Name | IQ Score | Nationality | Field of Expertise |
| 1 | YoungHoon Kim | 276 | South Korea | Psychology, Neuroscience, Linguistics |
| 2 | Terence Tao | 230 | Australian-American | Mathematics |
| 3 | Marilyn Vos Savant | 228 | American | Logic, Philosophy |
| 4 | Christopher Hirata | 225 | Japanese-American | Astrophysics |
| 5 | Sho Yano | 200 | American | Medicine, Genetics, Molecular Biology |
| 6 | Evangelos Katsioulis | 198 | Greek | Psychiatry, Philosophy |
| 7 | Christopher Harding | 197 | Australian | Philosophy |
| 8 | Christopher Langan | 195 | American | Cognitive Science, Philosophy, Theology |
| 9 | Rick Rosner | 192 | American | TV Writing, Game Shows |
| 10 | Garry Kasparov | 190 | Russian | Chess, Politics |
Let’s now learn more about each person with the highest IQ in detail.
YoungHoon Kim, a South Korean genius, has the highest IQ in the world as of 2025. His IQ of 276 is the highest IQ ever recorded. He excels in multiple fields like psychology, neuroscience, and linguistics. His intelligence has been verified by both the Giga Society and the World Genius Directory.
If you're asking which person has the highest IQ, the answer is YoungHoon Kim.
Known as a math genius, Terence Tao was solving university-level math problems by the age of 9. Born in Australia and now a professor at UCLA, Tao received the Fields Medal in 2006. He is one of the most intelligent persons in the world and often comes up in discussions of highest IQ levels.
American author and columnist Marilyn Vos Savant was once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest IQ. Her popular column “Ask Marilyn” has shown her incredible abilities in logic and reasoning. When people ask, who has the highest IQ in the world, she is often one of the top names mentioned.
Christopher Hirata is a physicist who worked with NASA on projects related to Mars at age 14. He earned his PhD in Physics from Caltech by 22. His IQ of 225 makes him one of the highest IQ persons in the world. He has made significant contributions in the field of astrophysics.
Sho Yano is an American physician who started reading at age 2, writing essays at age 4, and started college at age 9. He earned an MD and PhD before turning 21. His IQ score of 200 places him among those with the highest IQ level in the world.
Greek psychiatrist Evangelos Katsioulis holds multiple degrees and is known for his exceptional intellect. He actively contributes to research in medicine and philosophy. He’s one of the smartest people on Earth and a regular name in lists of most intelligent persons in the world.
Australian philosopher Christopher Harding made it to the Guinness World Records for high IQ in 1966. He founded the International Society for Philosophical Enquiry and is well respected in the intellectual community. His score of 197 places him among the elite of the highest IQ individuals.
Known for his theory of everything called the Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe (CTMU), Christopher Langan is a self-taught intellectual often referred to as the “smartest man in America.” His IQ is estimated at 195, and his ideas span science, philosophy, and theology.
Rick Rosner is known both for his IQ and his unusual career path, which includes being a TV writer and appearing in game shows. His score of 192 makes him one of the individuals with the highest IQ in the world. Despite his unconventional life, his intellect is unmatched.
Legendary chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov held the world champion title for years and became the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion at 22. His IQ of 190 and strategic mind have made him a household name. Some even compare his brainpower with Albert Einstein's IQ.
People often ask about the Einstein IQ score. Although Albert Einstein never took a modern IQ test, experts estimate his IQ to be between 160–190. Even though we may never know the exact Albert Einstein IQ, his contributions to science and human knowledge are beyond comparison.
His name is often included when people search for the highest IQ person in the world or the most intelligent person in the world.
So, who has the highest IQ in the world? Based on current records, YoungHoon Kim holds that title with an IQ of 276 — the highest IQ ever recorded. But intelligence can be found in many forms. Whether it's in math like Terence Tao, philosophy like Marilyn Vos Savant, or strategic thinking like Garry Kasparov, each of these individuals has shown what the human brain is capable of.
Even though the Einstein IQ may never be precisely known, his legacy lives on. The world continues to be fascinated by those who push the boundaries of intelligence and redefine what it means to be the most intelligent person in the world.
As of 2025, the person with the highest IQ in the world is YoungHoon Kim from South Korea. His IQ is recorded at 276, making it the highest IQ ever recorded in history, according to reports by the Giga Society.
A score of 130 or above is generally considered a high IQ level. Most people score between 85 and 115, with 100 being the average. An IQ above 140 is considered genius level.
Albert Einstein's IQ was never officially tested, but experts estimate it to be between 160 and 190. Although Einstein's exact IQ is unknown, his contribution to science makes him one of the most intelligent persons in the world.
The person with the highest IQ ever recorded is YoungHoon Kim, with a score of 276. His IQ surpasses that of other known geniuses like Terence Tao, Marilyn Vos Savant, and Christopher Hirata.
No, IQ is just one way to measure intelligence. While it assesses logical thinking and problem-solving, it does not measure creativity, emotional intelligence, or practical skills, which are also important forms of intelligence.
Some well-known individuals with very high IQ scores include:
You can take official IQ tests provided by psychologists or high-IQ societies like Mensa. Online IQ tests are available but may not be accurate. Only certified tests can give you a reliable IQ score to compare with the highest IQ levels in the world.
