An IQ score of 42 falls into the Extremely Low range on the standard intelligence scale (mean = 100, standard deviation = 15). This score is significantly below the population average and usually associated with profound cognitive challenges.
What an IQ of 42 means
A score of 42 falls in the range the older ICD-10 manual labelled moderate intellectual disability, which it defined as IQ 35 to 49. The current ICD-11 has moved away from fixed IQ bands. It describes severity in terms of standard deviations below the mean together with how a person manages everyday life, and it expects clinicians to rely on adaptive behaviour as much as on test scores. That change reflects a long-standing finding: two people with the same low score can differ enormously in communication, self-care and independence. At 42, a number from a single test, and certainly from an online one, describes very little on its own.
Where does an IQ of 42 rank?
On a standardized IQ test, a score of 42 places you higher than approximately 0.0% of the population, which means most people score above this level. Intelligence scores follow a normal distribution — most people cluster near 100, and scores taper off sharply toward both extremes.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| IQ score | 42 |
| Classification | Extremely Low |
| Percentile | 0.0% |
| Rarity (out of 1,000) | ~1000 in 1,000 score this high or higher |
| Standard deviations from mean | -3.87 |
IQ 42 in numbers
- About 0.0% of people score below 42, and 100.0% score higher.
- Another 13 points would move this score into the Very Low band, which starts at 55.
- Even on professionally administered tests a single result has a margin of error of about five points either way, so a measured 42 is best read as somewhere between 40 and 47.
On our free IQ test
None of the 3,834 people who completed our free IQ test between April and October 2026 scored exactly 42; 100.0% 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 42?
A score of 42 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 42
An IQ score below 70 is sometimes used as one criterion in assessments for intellectual disability, but no modern diagnosis relies on a single score. Clinical diagnosis also requires evidence of adaptive-functioning limitations and a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed psychologist. If you're researching a score in this range for yourself or someone you care about, a professional assessment is the right next step.
IQ 42 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 42 considered good?
An IQ of 42 is below the population average, but IQ is a narrow measure — domain-specific skills, experience, and effort matter at least as much as raw score in real-world outcomes.
Can an IQ of 42 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 42?
An IQ of 42 corresponds to the 0.0th percentile on the standard bell curve — meaning it is higher than about 0 out of every 100 people.