IQ 80 to 89
Low average
A little under the middle, and firmly inside the range of ordinary scores — roughly one person in six sits here. It is worth saying plainly that this band covers a great many people doing skilled work, holding degrees, and running households, because a reasoning score is a narrow measurement and not a ceiling.
Every score from 80 to 89
Percentile is the share of people you would score above. Rarity is how many people it takes to find one at that score or higher. Scores with their own page are linked.
| IQ score | Percentile | Rarity | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | 23rd | 1 in 4 | Low average |
| 88 | 21st | 1 in 5 | Low average |
| 87 | 19th | 1 in 5 | Low average |
| 86 | 18th | 1 in 6 | Low average |
| 85 | 16th | 1 in 6 | Low average |
| 84 | 14th | 1 in 7 | Low average |
| 83 | 13th | 1 in 8 | Low average |
| 82 | 12th | 1 in 9 | Low average |
| 81 | 10th | 1 in 10 | Low average |
| 80 | 9th | 1 in 11 | Low average |
Table 1 · Percentile and rarity for every score from 80 to 89, on the standard scale (mean 100, SD 15).
Where 80–89 sits on the scale
This range is the low average band on the Wechsler classification convention.
| Score band | Classification |
|---|---|
| 145–160 | Highly gifted |
| 130–144 | Very superior · gifted |
| 120–129 | Superior |
| 110–119 | High average |
| 90–109 | Average |
| 80–89 | Low average · you are here |
| 70–79 | Borderline |
Table 2 · The classification bands used across this site.
What scores in this range mean
An 85 suggests reasoning that runs a little below the middle on this particular kind of task. It is a normal part of the distribution, and it says nothing about competence in work that rewards practice, judgement or people skills.
Worth knowing: 85 is exactly one standard deviation below the mean.
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.
Nearby on the scale
Frequently asked questions
What percentile is an IQ of 80 to 89?
An IQ of 80 is about the 9th percentile and 89 is about the 23rd percentile, on the standard scale (mean 100, SD 15).
How rare is a score in the 80–89 range?
Roughly 1 in 11 people reach 80, and about 1 in 4 reach 89.
What classification is 80 to 89?
Low average, on the Wechsler classification convention.
Can an online test place a score this precisely?
Not to the point. A sixteen-item screener gives a reliable band, not an exact number — which is why this page covers the whole 80–89 range rather than pretending each point is meaningfully different.