People with the Highest IQs in the World - Meet 10 Smartest People in the World

Many brilliant minds in history have changed how we see the world. They didn’t accept the challenges of their time. Instead, they faced them head-on and left a legacy that future generations still build on.

What is IQ?

IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a measure of a person’s reasoning ability, problem-solving skills and capacity to understand complex ideas compared to general population. While it doesn’t capture every aspect of human intelligence like creativity, emotional intelligence or wisdom. It does give us a way to gauge certain cognitive abilities that have helped shape history.

IQ ratings fall into different categories, take a look at the below table. 

Who has the Highest IQ in the World 2025

Here’s a look at 10 people with the highest IQs in the world — individuals widely regarded as absolute geniuses:

Terence Tao

With an IQ estimated between 225 and 230, this Australian-American mathematician is considered a prodigy and one of the smartest people alive today. He began college-level math at age 9 and earned a PhD by 20.

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Marilyn vos Savant

Famous for having the highest recorded IQ in the Guinness Book of World Records (228), she has written extensively on logic and problem-solving.

Christopher Hirata

With an IQ of 225, he began working with NASA at the age of 14 and is now a professor of physics.

Kim Ung-Yong

A South Korean child prodigy with an IQ of 210, he was invited to work at NASA when he was only eight years old.

Edith Stern

A math prodigy with an IQ estimated above 200, Stern became a college professor before the age of 20.

Christopher Michael Langan

Often called "the smartest man in America," his IQ is estimated between 195 and 210. He developed a theory of the relationship between mind and reality called the "Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe."

Rick Rosner

Known for his unusual lifestyle and intellect, Rosner has an IQ estimated around 192 and is also known for appearing on game shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

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Garry Kasparov

A chess grandmaster with an IQ around 190, he was the world champion for 15 years and is considered one of the greatest chess players in history.

Judit Polgár

The strongest female chess player in history, Polgár achieved grandmaster status at age 15 and has beaten many world champions.

Ivan Ivec

A Croatian mathematician with an IQ above 170, known for his work on IQ testing and logical problem-solving.

Popular Figures from History with Highest Estimated IQs

When we think about intelligence, we often imagine modern IQ tests. However many of history’s brightest minds lived long before such tests existed. Their IQs were later estimated by historians and psychologists based on their intellectual achievements, discoveries and contributions to humanity. While these numbers are not exact, they give us a sense of just how extraordinary their minds were.

Conclusion

 individuals widely regarded as having exceptionally high IQs, ranging from Terence Tao (225–230) to Ivan Ivec (170+). Beyond the numbers, the piece emphasizes that what truly sets these people apart is how they’ve applied their intellect—whether in mathematics, physics, academia, chess, or public thought—to shape fields and inspire others. In essence, the story underscores a key takeaway: intelligence is powerful, but its real value lies in how it’s used to push human understanding forward and leave a lasting impact.