Is 120 IQ good?
Yes. A 120 IQ is clearly above average, at about the 91st percentile. It sits in the "superior" band — above roughly 91 of every 100 people, and within reach of the gifted threshold at 130.
How rare is a 120 IQ?
About 1 in 11 people score 120 or above. Put another way: in a packed bus of 60 people, 5 or so would reach it.
Rarity moves quickly around here. Ten points higher, at 130, it is closer to 1 in 44.
Figure 2 · 11 people, one dot each: one scores 120 or higher.
Where 120 sits on the scale
A 120 IQ is superior on the Wechsler classification convention — the 120 – 129 band.
What a 120 IQ actually means
A 120 points to solid abstract reasoning and a good working memory for problems with several steps. It is the range where technical study and analytical work tend to feel manageable rather than uphill.
Worth knowing: 120 is the usual bottom edge of the "superior" classification.
One honest caveat that applies at every score: IQ measures a specific slice of reasoning ability. It is a real and useful signal, but it does not capture creativity, discipline, emotional intelligence, or drive. Treat it as one data point, not a verdict.
Famous minds around 120
Browse all celebrity IQ estimatesPeople often placed near this number. Every figure below carries the label it deserves — most celebrity IQs are inferences, not results.
Frequently asked questions
What percentile is a 120 IQ?
About the 91st percentile, meaning it is higher than roughly 91% of people on the standard scale (mean 100, SD 15).
How rare is a 120 IQ?
Roughly 1 in 11 people score 120 or above.
What classification is a 120 IQ?
Superior — the 120 – 129 band on the Wechsler classification convention.