Albert Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant and influential scientists of all time. His theories of relativity completely transformed our understanding of space, time, gravity, and the relationship between energy and matter. Einstein also made major contributions to quantum theory and statistical mechanics.
But exactly how intelligent was Einstein? What was his IQ score? Given his reputation as a genius, many people assume Einstein’s IQ must have been incredibly high, perhaps even the highest possible. However, the story of Einstein’s intelligence and IQ score is more complicated than you might think.
Einstein never actually took a formal IQ test, since these tests were not widely used during his lifetime (he lived from 1879 to 1955). So we can’t know his exact IQ score with certainty. However, scientists and biographers have made various estimates of Einstein’s IQ over the years, based on his writings, interviews with his contemporaries, and careful analysis of his intellectual abilities.
The range of IQ estimates for Einstein varies quite a bit, from as “low” as 160 to as high as 225. Before looking at these estimates in more detail, it’s important to understand what IQ tests actually measure, and how IQ scores are interpreted.
What Do IQ Tests Measure?
IQ stands for “intelligence quotient” and it is a score derived from standardized intelligence tests. The most widely used modern IQ tests are the Stanford-Binet IQ test and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS).
IQ tests are designed to measure general intelligence, also known as g factor. This refers to the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, and learn quickly from experience. IQ tests typically focus on verbal comprehension, working memory, perceptual reasoning, and processing speed.
IQ scores are calculated based on a person’s performance on the test compared to the average performance of others in their age group. By definition, the average IQ score is always 100. Scores above 100 indicate above-average intelligence, while scores under 100 indicate below-average intelligence.
IQ scores follow what is known as a “normal distribution” in the population, with most people clustering around the average IQ score of 100. Only a small percentage of people have very low or very high IQ scores.
Here’s a rough guide to interpreting different IQ score ranges:
IQ Score Classifications:
| IQ Score Range | Classification |
| 145-160 | Genius or near genius |
| 130-144 | Very superior intelligence |
| 120-129 | Superior intelligence |
| 110-119 | High average intelligence |
| 90-109 | Normal intelligence |
| 80-89 | Low average intelligence |
| 70-79 | Borderline impaired |
| Below 70 | Extremely low intelligence |
So where did Einstein’s IQ fall on this scale? Let’s review the different estimates made by experts over the years.
Estimates of Einstein’s IQ
As mentioned earlier, since Einstein never took a modern IQ test, any estimates of his IQ are based on indirect methods and accounts of his intellectual abilities. Some key estimates include:
160 IQ
Catherine Cox, a prominent psychologist who studied genius, estimated Einstein’s IQ to be around 160. An IQ of 160 puts Einstein in the 99.99th percentile of the population, meaning only 1 in 10,000 people would score higher. An IQ of 160 is considered “genius level.”
180-190 IQ
Journalist Joan Westlake estimated Einstein’s IQ to be between 180 and 190 in an article published in Time Magazine in 1955, the year Einstein died. This estimate was likely based on analyzing Einstein’s contributions to science and accounts of his problem-solving abilities. An IQ between 180-190 would put Einstein well into the “genius” classification.
205 IQ
American psychologist H.J. Eysenck put Einstein’s IQ around 205 in his book “Genius: The Natural History of Creativity” published in 1995. At this level, Einstein would be nearing the maximum possible IQ.
225 IQ
Catherine Cox’s original estimate of Einstein’s IQ mentioned above was 160. However, American psychologist Howard Gardner increased this estimate to 225 in his 1993 book “Creating Minds: An Anatomy of Creativity.” An IQ of 225 would be at the very top of the scale, indicating Einstein was arguably the most intelligent person of the modern era.
Inestimable Genius
Several experts argue that Einstein’s intelligence and contribution to science is essentially impossible to capture through the narrow lens of an IQ test. Einstein biographer Walter Isaacson remarked that “trying to assess Einstein’s intelligence using questions on an IQ test is like measuring a mountain with a ruler.”
Physicist Robert Oppenheimer, who worked on the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb, commented that Einstein’s thinking was “not along the lines of human reasoning” and his mind worked in ways “past what any of us can imagine.”
So in the view of some experts, Einstein’s genius went beyond what can be numerically quantified through an IQ test. Theoretical physicist Freeman Dyson summarized it well when he said “everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” In other words, Einstein thought in ways so unique that general intelligence tests likely fail to capture the full depth and breadth of his mental abilities.
Conclusion
In the end, Einstein’s exact IQ score remains elusive since he never took a formal modern intelligence test. Most experts agree he possessed genius-level intelligence, but estimates of his IQ range from as “low” as 160 to as high as 225. The highest and most widely accepted estimate is still around 160, putting Einstein in the 99.9th percentile of intelligence.
However, many argue that Einstein’s contributions to science demonstrate an intelligence that cannot be adequately measured by IQ tests. So while he was clearly extremely intelligent by all accounts, Einstein’s genius encompassed creative, conceptual, and imaginative thinking that IQ scores do not fully capture. His intellectual gifts transformed our understanding of the physical world and universe and changed science forever.