The brain is one of the most mysterious and essential organs in the human body, controlling countless functions that define who we are. But what exactly sets apart individuals who appear exceptionally intelligent? Some may view these extraordinary abilities as abnormalities, while others regard them as remarkable gifts. Across the globe, many brilliant minds continue to captivate us, sparking curiosity about who the smartest individuals are and what they have accomplished.
Let’s explore the individuals with the highest IQs ever recorded—those whose intelligence has left a lasting mark on the world.
Who Holds the Highest IQ?
IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, has intrigued people for generations, offering insights into human potential and cognitive capabilities. In this journey, we examine some of the highest IQ scores ever documented and the remarkable individuals behind these feats.
10. Rick Rosner
Rick Rosner is alleged to have an IQ of 192.
With an astounding IQ of 192, Rick Rosner may not fit the conventional image of a genius. His rugged appearance, shaped by years working as a bar bouncer, challenges typical stereotypes of intelligence. An American television producer, Rosner is best known for creating the iconic show CHiPs and later worked with DirecTV to help develop portable satellite television technology. Despite his unconventional background, Rosner’s intellect places him among the most brilliant minds in the world.
9. Christopher Langan
Christopher Michael Langan has a verified IQ of 195.
Christopher Michael Langan, an American autodidact with an extraordinary IQ reportedly between 195 and 210, is often hailed as “the smartest man in America” or even “the smartest man in the world.” From a young age, Langan displayed remarkable cognitive abilities, beginning to speak at just six months old and teaching himself to read by the age of three. He later developed a unique “theory of the relationship between mind and reality,” known as the Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe (CTMU).
Langan’s life has been as unconventional as his intellect. In addition to his work as an independent researcher and “reality theorist,” he has worked as a cowboy, bouncer, and horse rancher, blending his intellectual pursuits with a rugged lifestyle.
8. Dr. Evangelos Katsioulis
Evangelos Katsioulis is alleged to have an IQ of 198.
Dr. Evangelos Katsioulis is celebrated for his outstanding intelligence test scores. A Greek national, he is a medical doctor and psychiatrist with degrees in philosophy, medical research technology, and psychopharmacology. He founded the World Intelligence Network (WIN), an international organization that brings together high IQ societies. Additionally, he established AAAA.GR, a pioneering voluntary group focused on identifying and supporting gifted individuals in Greece. Beyond his academic and professional accomplishments, Katsioulis is also an accomplished painter and skilled swimmer.
7. Kim Ung-Yong
Kim Ung-Yong has a verified IQ of 210.
With a verified IQ of 210, Korean civil engineer Ung Yong is celebrated as a quintessential child prodigy. By the age of six months, he was already speaking and understanding Korean, along with several other languages. By three years old, he could read multiple languages, including Korean, Japanese, German, and English, and he showcased his ability to solve complex calculus problems live on Japanese television. He has been recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the “Highest IQ.”
6. Christopher Hirata
Hirata has a verified IQ of 225.
Christopher Hirata exhibited remarkable genius from a young age. At just 13, he gained fame by winning a gold medal at the International Physics Olympiad. By 16, he was collaborating with NASA on its Mars exploration mission. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University at the age of 22. A recognized child prodigy, Hirata is now an American cosmologist and astrophysicist. He currently teaches astrophysics at Ohio State University’s Center for Cosmology and AstroParticle Physics (CCAPP).
5. Terence Tao
With an astonishing IQ of 230, Terence Tao is ranked fifth among the most intelligent people in the world. An Australian-born Chinese American mathematician, he specializes in harmonic analysis, partial differential equations, additive combinatorics, ergodic Ramsey theory, random matrix theory, and analytic number theory. By the age of eight, Tao scored 760 on the pre-1995 SAT, earned his Ph.D. from Princeton at 20, and became the youngest full professor at UCLA at 24. His numerous accolades include the 2003 Clay Research Award, the Bôcher Memorial Prize in 2002, and the Salem Prize in 2000, among others.
4. William Sidis
IQ 250–300
William Sidis, often likened to Matt Damon’s character in “Good Will Hunting,” had an estimated IQ between 250 and 300. He enrolled at Harvard University at just 11 years old and graduated by 16, marking him as a true prodigy. His sister Helena recalled that a psychologist who assessed Sidis was astounded by his unprecedented scores. However, the authenticity of his claimed IQ has been a topic of debate.
3. Ainan Cawley
Ainan Cawley boasts a verified IQ of 263.
A former child prodigy, Cawley excels in multiple disciplines. Born to a Singaporean mother and an Irish father, he displayed remarkable skills from a young age. By the age of eight, he was already recognized as a scientist, mathematician, computer programmer, and self-taught pianist and composer. He began studying chemistry at Singapore Polytechnic before turning ten. In 2011, he and his father received a patent from the World Intellectual Property Organization for a method they developed to enhance precocity and cultivate prodigies.
2. Marnen Laibow-Koser
Marnen Laibow-Koser has a verified IQ of 268.
A musical prodigy, he reportedly achieved this projected IQ score during his childhood. He began his musical journey at the age of three and has since built a diverse career as a composer, performing musician, web developer, music copyist, and engraver. Laibow-Koser holds a master’s degree in contemporary improvisation from the New England Conservatory and currently resides in Randolph, Massachusetts, embracing his identity as a “post-hippie arts geek.”
1. YoungHoon Kim
YoungHoon Kim holds a verified IQ of 276.
In April 2024, the Giga Society, an elite organization for individuals with IQs above 190, announced that Kim has the highest IQ in the world. A prominent intelligence specialist, he advises various global mind sports organizations, including the World Mind Sports Council, World Memory Championships, World Speed-Reading Championship, and World Mind Mapping Championship. His perfect scores on numerous high-range intelligence tests underscore his exceptional cognitive abilities. Additionally, Kim serves as the president and executive director of the United Sigma Intelligence Association (USIA).
The smartest individuals understand that there is always more to learn. They are generally aware of what they don’t know, and their opinions tend to be more informed and nuanced. The individuals listed above represent some of the world’s most intelligent people, each known for their extraordinary cognitive abilities.