IQ of 113: What Does a Score of 113 Mean?
You just got a 113 back from an IQ test, and the only thing you really want to know is whether that is a good number or a forgettable one. Here is the direct answer first: an IQ of 113 lands at roughly the 81st percentile, which means it is higher than about 81 percent of people, and only about 1 in 5 score above it. It sits just under one full standard deviation above the average of 100, which puts it squarely in the band psychologists call "high average" (sometimes "above average").
So a 113 is genuinely above the middle of the pack, and it is a score most people would be glad to see. At the same time, it is not a rare or "gifted" number, and it does not need any of the mythology that gets attached to the far end of the scale. This page explains where 113 sits next to its neighbors, what it tends to look like in real life, and how to read it honestly without inflating or dismissing it.
Where a Score of 113 Sits on the IQ Scale
The whole IQ scale is built on two fixed numbers: the average is set to 100, and one "step" up or down is 15 points, called a standard deviation. A 113 is a little less than one full step above the middle, about 0.87 of a step. That single fact drives everything else about the score: its percentile, its rarity, and its classification.
The table below shows 113 alongside the scores people most often compare it to. As of 2026 these follow the Wechsler scale, mean 100 and standard deviation 15, which is the scoring system behind the WAIS and WISC used by professionals.
| IQ score | Steps from average | Approx. percentile | Wechsler classification | Roughly how rare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 (the middle) | 50th | Average | 1 in 2 |
| 110 | +0.67 | ~75th | High average | 1 in 4 score higher |
| 113 | +0.87 | ~81st | High average | 1 in 5 score higher |
| 115 | +1.00 | ~84th | High average | 1 in 6 score higher |
| 120 | +1.33 | ~91st | Superior | 1 in 11 score higher |
| 130 | +2.00 | ~98th | Very superior / gifted | 1 in 50 score higher |
A few things stand out from that row. A 113 shares its "high average" label with 110 and 115, so it sits comfortably inside the same category as those scores rather than crossing any line. The bigger category boundaries are higher up: 120, where "superior" begins, and 130, the usual gifted and Mensa threshold at roughly the top 2 percent. A 113 is clearly clear of the average, but it is several steps below those milestones.
Is 113 a "high" IQ?
Above average, yes. "High" in the dramatic sense, no. A 113 is nearly a full standard deviation above the mean, which is a real, meaningful gap and not a rounding error. In everyday terms, if you lined up five people at random, a person with a 113 would typically out-score four of them on this kind of test.
What a 113 is not is "gifted." That label is normally reserved for scores of about 130 and up, the top 2 percent or so. There is a wide, useful middle ground between "average" and "gifted," and 113 lives in the upper part of it. Reading 113 as either unremarkable or as near-genius both miss the target. It is a solid, above-average score, and that is the honest description.
One more note on comparisons: because a 113 is not rare, you almost certainly know several people who would score in this range without ever realizing it. It is the kind of number that shows up in a sharp coworker, a dependable student, or a friend who picks up new skills quickly, not someone who reads as visibly exceptional. That ordinariness is a feature. A 113 reflects broad, reliable competence rather than a narrow, headline-grabbing talent.
Ready to discover your IQ?
Take our scientifically designed test and get your score in just a few minutes.
Ready to discover your IQ?
Take our scientifically designed test and get your score in just a few minutes.
What a 113 IQ Looks Like in Real Life
The most useful reference point is education. For decades, popular articles claimed the average college graduate had an IQ around 113 to 115. That figure is now out of date. Normative data from the modern Wechsler test puts the average four-year-degree holder closer to 107, with most graduates spread across a wide band. In other words, a 113 is solidly above the current average even among college graduates, not merely matching it.
Practically, people in the high-average band tend to handle college-level coursework and moderately complex professional work without much strain. This range is common among teachers, nurses, managers, skilled technical workers, and many business and administrative roles. None of that is destiny, effort, motivation, and circumstances matter enormously, but as a starting point a 113 signals that abstract reasoning and learning speed are unlikely to be the thing that holds you back.
It also helps to picture 113 on the bell curve rather than as a lonely data point. The scores between 85 and 115, one step below the average to one step above, cover about 68 percent of everyone. A 113 sits near the upper edge of that big central group, not yet outside it. Push a couple more steps, to 130, and you reach the top 2 percent. That is why the distance from 113 to 130 feels larger than the plain 17-point gap suggests: the population thins out fast as you climb, so each additional step separates you from a rapidly shrinking share of people. Understanding that shape is the difference between reading 113 as "near the top of the crowd" and mistaking it for "almost gifted."
How much should you trust a single 113?
Treat 113 as a range, not a pinpoint. Professional IQ tests carry a margin of error, and the WAIS reports a 95 percent confidence interval of roughly plus or minus 5 points. So a measured 113 is best read as "somewhere in the high 100s to the high 110s." Free online tests, including ours, are calibrated estimates rather than clinical instruments, so the sensible takeaway from a 113 is "clearly above average," not a number to defend to the decimal. Our test is free to take, with the full breakdown available as a paid result, no subscription and no automatic renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is an IQ of 113 good?
A: Yes, 113 is a good, above-average score. It sits just under one standard deviation above the mean of 100, at roughly the 81st percentile, meaning it is higher than about 81 percent of people. It is classified as "high average" on the Wechsler scale, above average and solid, though below the "superior" (120+) and "gifted" (130+) bands.
Q: What percentile is an IQ of 113?
A: About the 81st percentile. A 113 is roughly 0.87 standard deviations above the average, which lands near the 81st percentile in a normal distribution. That means about 81 percent of people score lower than 113 and about 19 percent, or 1 in 5, score higher.
Q: Is 113 IQ considered gifted?
A: No, 113 is not in the gifted range. "Gifted" usually refers to scores of about 130 and above, the top 2 percent of the population and the common Mensa threshold. A 113 is above average but sits well below that line, sharing the "high average" band with scores like 110 and 115.
Q: How rare is an IQ of 113?
A: Not rare, roughly 1 in 5 people score higher than 113. Because it is just under one standard deviation above the mean, about 19 percent of the population scores above 113. It is a strong result, but common enough that it needs no mythology around it.
References
- IQ classification - Wikipedia
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Wikipedia
- 68-95-99.7 rule (standard deviations and percentiles) - Wikipedia
Last updated: July 13, 2026
✨Related Articles
IQ Score Meaning - What Every IQ Number Actually Means
The average IQ is 100 and each 15 points marks one step from the middle. This IQ scale, classification chart, and percentile guide shows what your score means.
IQ Scale and Chart: Every IQ Range and What It Means
The IQ scale centers on 100 with a spread of 15 points. This chart lists every IQ range, its classification label, the share of people in it, and its percentile.
IQ Percentile Chart: What Percentile Is Your IQ?
An IQ percentile shows what share of people you outscored: IQ 100 is the 50th percentile, IQ 130 the 98th (top 2%). Use the chart below to find yours.