An IQ score of 116 falls into the High Average range on the standard intelligence scale (mean = 100, standard deviation = 15). This score is above the population average — about one in four people scores at this level or higher.
What an IQ of 116 means
An IQ of 116 is around the 86th percentile, about one in seven people at or above. It is also, together with 115, the single most common result on our own test: 139 of the 3,834 people in our April to October 2026 data scored exactly 116. That cluster reflects both the self-selected group of people who take online IQ tests and the way a fixed set of questions maps onto scores. As a population score, 116 is solidly high average.
Where does an IQ of 116 rank?
On a standardized IQ test, a score of 116 places you higher than approximately 85.7% of the population. Intelligence scores follow a normal distribution — most people cluster near 100, and scores taper off sharply toward both extremes.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| IQ score | 116 |
| Classification | High Average |
| Percentile | 85.7% |
| Rarity (out of 1,000) | ~143 in 1,000 score this high or higher |
| Standard deviations from mean | 1.07 |
IQ 116 in numbers
- Roughly 1 in 7 people score 116 or higher.
- In a room of 100 randomly chosen adults, about 14 would score 116 or higher.
- That is 14 points below 130, the level most high-IQ societies use as their entry line.
- Another 4 points would move this score into the Superior band, which starts at 120.
- Even on professionally administered tests a single result has a margin of error of about five points either way, so a measured 116 is best read as somewhere between 111 and 121.
On our free IQ test
Of the 3,834 people who completed our free IQ test between April and October 2026, 139 scored exactly 116 and 44.5% scored higher. People who choose to take an online IQ test are not a random sample of the population (our average is 114.5), so this shows where a score sits among other test-takers, not among everyone. More in our 2026 data study.
Which IQ tests produce a score of 116?
A score of 116 can be produced by any standardized intelligence test that uses the mean = 100, SD = 15 scale. The most widely used tests include:
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) — clinical gold standard for adults.
- Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales — oldest continuously-used intelligence test.
- Mensa admissions test — used by the Mensa society for membership selection.
- Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) tests — most theoretically grounded modern framework.
- Our free IQ test — instant online estimate with the same scaling.
How to interpret an IQ score of 116
Scores in the high-average to superior range are associated with strong performance in educational and analytical settings. People at this level often report that unstructured problem-solving and abstract learning feel relatively natural, though domain expertise still requires deliberate practice.
IQ 116 in Context
| IQ Range | Classification | Population % |
|---|---|---|
| Below 70 | Extremely Low | ~2.2% |
| 70–79 | Borderline | ~6.7% |
| 80–89 | Low Average | ~16.1% |
| 90–109 | Average | ~50% |
| 110–119 | High Average | ~16.1% |
| 120–129 | Superior | ~6.7% |
| 130+ | Gifted / Very Superior | ~2.2% |
Factors That Influence Your Score
Your IQ score reflects a combination of genetic potential and environmental influences including education, nutrition, health, and the testing conditions themselves. Factors like fatigue, anxiety, unfamiliarity with the test format, and even the time of day can all affect performance. A single test score should be viewed as an estimate, and scores can vary by several points between testing sessions.
Nearby scores
Compare the major IQ tests
Which test produces the most accurate score depends on what you're trying to measure. These head-to-head comparisons break down the differences:
- WAIS vs Stanford-Binet — the two clinical heavyweights compared.
- Mensa vs WAIS — entry-test speed vs full clinical assessment.
- Stanford-Binet vs Mensa — which one actually gets you into Mensa.
- CHC vs Wechsler — modern cognitive framework vs the classic.
- Raven vs Cattell — non-verbal alternatives for cross-cultural testing.
Further reading
- What is a good IQ score?
- What does your IQ score mean?
- Average IQ by age
- Mensa requirements
- IQ test types compared
Want to find out your IQ score?
Take a free, comprehensive cognitive assessment modeled on clinical IQ tests.
Take the Free IQ TestFrequently asked questions
Is IQ 116 considered good?
An IQ of 116 is above average (86th percentile). It's associated with strong academic and analytical performance, though IQ is only one dimension of overall ability.
Can an IQ of 116 change over time?
IQ scores are relatively stable in adulthood but can shift modestly with education, engagement, sleep, and health. Short-term factors like stress and fatigue can move a single test result by 5–10 points in either direction — which is why we recommend comparing results across multiple sessions rather than reading too much into any single score.
What percentile is IQ 116?
An IQ of 116 corresponds to the 85.7th percentile on the standard bell curve — meaning it is higher than about 86 out of every 100 people.