Who is considered the smartest person in history?

Asked by: Ibrahim Hahn  |  Last update: October 8, 2025
Score: 5/5 (6 votes)

Said to be the smartest person who has ever lived, William James Sidis is the benchmark for child prodigies. He was reportedly able to read the newspaper aged just 18 months and entered Harvard University aged 11, graduating at 16.

Who is the smartest person in human history?

William James Sidis. This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 16 December 2024. William James Sidis (/ˈsaɪdɪs/; April 1, 1898 – July 17, 1944) was an American child prodigy with mathematical and linguistic skills. He was active as a mathematician, linguist, historian, and author.

What is the #1 smartest human?

Terence Tao is widely considered to have the highest IQ score in the world, with estimates between 225 and 230. His outstanding math contributions at a young age showcase his exceptional intelligence. As the person with highest IQ in the world, he received a $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics in 2015.

Who is the smartest person in the history of Earth?

Top 10 most intelligent people on Earth
  • Isaac Newton. He is an extraordinary genius physicist, mathematician, astronomer and alchemist. ...
  • Aryabhatta. He was an acclaimed mathematician and astronomer. ...
  • Galileo Galilei. ...
  • Thomas Alva Edison. ...
  • Leonardo da Vinci. ...
  • Stephen Hawking. ...
  • Terence Tao. ...
  • Christopher Langan.

Who has the highest IQ history?

As of 2024, the Highest IQ ever recorded is of YoungHoon Kim from South Korea whose IQ is 276. Intelligence is a complex trait that is difficult to define, let alone measure accurately. IQ tests are one of the most common methods used to assess intelligence, but they are not without their limitations.

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Who Was The Smartest Person In History? | With Sam Harris

16 related questions found

Who has 400 IQ?

Nata-bird wrote: Adragon De Mello (IQ Score: 400)His record was broken in 1994 by another student, but today, De Mello is known to have one of the highest IQ scores in all of human history – an IQ score of 400!

What is Einstein's IQ?

Best known for developing the theory of relativity, he is amongst the top most geniuses the world has recognized. Einstein never took an IQ score test. However, based on his historical records, academics have estimated his score to be around 160.

Who is the smartest person alive today?

As of 2024, the highest recorded IQ score belongs to YoungHoon Kim from South Korea, with an IQ of 276. This score is verified by multiple organizations, including the Korea Record Institute, World Genius Directory, Global Genius Registry, Esoteriq Society, and GIGA Society.

What actor has 180 IQ?

Actor James Woods is the celebrity with the highest IQ in the world. His score is 180. He is known for fast-talking, intense roles on stage and screen. Interestingly, he dropped out of MIT in 1969, one semester before graduating, to pursue an acting career.

What was Leonardo da Vinci's IQ?

Da Vinci, famed painter and theorist, is estimated to have had IQ scores ranging from 180 to 220, according to parade.com.

What month are most geniuses born?

You may think you're smart — but are you smarter than someone born in September? Those born in September are, apparently, the smartest out of the entire year.

What was Newton's IQ?

4. Isaac Newton. Most famous for his law of gravitation, English physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton was instrumental in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. His estimated IQ scores range from 190 to 200 by different measures.

Was Nikola Tesla the smartest person ever?

However, Nikola Tesla was one of the smartest people ever to walk the planet. Born during a lightning storm in 1856, Tesla had an IQ range from 160 to 310. He's known as the inventor of the Tesla coil and alternating current machinery.

What is the top 1% IQ?

Meaning of IQ

85 to 115 - Two thirds of us have an IQ in this range: the 'average' IQ is 100. Over 135 - You are in the top 1%.

How intelligent is Elon Musk?

Although no publicly available statistics support his IQ, it is believed to be between 150 and 155. With an IQ of 155, he is more creative and quick to find solutions to issues than most people. His brain can assimilate information that others can not, so his thoughts are original and cutting-edge.

What ethnicity has the highest IQ score?

In the United States, Asians on average score higher than White people, who tend to score higher than Hispanics, who tend to score higher than African Americans. Much greater variation in IQ scores exists within each ethnic group than between them.

Who is the smartest person that ever lived?

Born in Boston in 1898, William James Sidis made the headlines in the early 20th century as a child prodigy with an amazing intellect. His IQ was estimated to be 50 to 100 points higher than Albert Einstein's. He could read the New York Times before he was 2.

How much IQ does Elon Musk have?

Elon Musk's Cognitive Abilities

Musk's estimated IQ of 155-160 places him in the "Highly Gifted" category. This score reflects his exceptional problem-solving skills and cognitive abilities. His capacity for complex engineering and forward-thinking strategies is evident in ventures like Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink.

What were Einstein's last words?

Ich mache mir aber keine Illusionen mehr" which translates to "I am at the mercy of fate and have no control over it. But I have no illusions either." These words were spoken on April 18, 1955, just before Einstein died at the age of 76 in Princeton Hospital, New Jersey.

What is the normal human IQ?

IQ scores between 90 and 109 indicate normal or average intelligence. IQ remains a popular tool for job placement and educational services, particularly helping to place children in an appropriate setting for their educational needs.

Who had 1000 IQ?

Marilyn vos Savant - Wikipedia.

What is Taylor Swift's IQ?

High IQ Score: Taylor Swift has an estimated IQ of 136, a score that reflects high intelligence. She possesses quick learning and problem-solving abilities. This is evident in her singing and songwriting, as well as her musical talents.

Is 120 IQ good?

An IQ level of 120 would be described as 'above average or bright' on an IQ scale. The average score is 100, and 68% of all people have scores between 85 and 115. What is a good IQ score? Any IQ score above 116 would be considered above average.