Have you ever wondered who the smartest man in the world really is? It’s a question that’s fascinated people for decades, and the answer might surprise you. From towering physicists to brilliant mathematicians, there are a handful of individuals whose IQs and accomplishments set them apart from the rest of the world. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most intelligent people alive today, the IQ scores that qualify them as geniuses, and the fields where they’ve made a mark.

Intelligence comes in many forms—some people excel in science, while others shine in math, technology, or even philosophy. But when it comes to measurable IQ scores, a few names consistently come up. Whether it’s someone like Stephen Hawking or a lesser-known genius like Younghoon Kim, the world is full of brilliant minds who’ve changed the course of human understanding.

So, what makes someone the “smartest”? Is it their IQ score alone, or does their impact on society also count? In this post, we’ll explore the top contenders, their achievements, and why they’re considered the smartest man in the world.

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Table of Contents

• Biography of the Smartest Man in the World
• Top 12 People with the Highest IQ Scores
• Major Achievements of the Smartest People
• A Quick Look at IQ Testing Through History
• Frequently Asked Questions

Biography of the Smartest Man in the World

When we talk about the smartest man in the world today, one name that stands out is Younghoon Kim. According to recent IQ assessments, Kim holds the record for the highest verified IQ score of 276, as recognized in 2024 by international intelligence certification bodies. While his personal life remains largely private, his intellectual capabilities have placed him at the center of global attention.

Let’s take a quick look at his details:

Kim’s intellect spans multiple disciplines, making him not just a theoretical genius but a practical one too. His contributions to cognitive development theories and advanced mathematics are gaining traction in academic circles around the world.

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Top 12 People with the Highest IQ Scores in the World

While IQ tests aren’t the only way to measure intelligence, they do give us a snapshot of cognitive ability. Here’s a list of 12 individuals known for their sky-high IQ scores:

1. Younghoon Kim – 276 (verified in 2024)
2. Marilyn vos Savant – 228 (Guinness World Record holder for highest IQ)
3. Christopher Hirata – 225 (astrophysicist and NASA advisor)
4. Terence Tao – 230 (mathematician and Fields Medal winner)
5. Kim Ung-Yong – 210 (civil engineer and former child prodigy)
6. Christopher Langan – 195 (self-taught philosopher and author of the Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe)
7. Stephen Hawking – 160 (theoretical physicist and author of A Brief History of Time)
8. Albert Einstein – 160 (theoretical physicist, creator of the Theory of Relativity)
9. William James Sidis – 250–300 (estimated IQ, child prodigy, and mathematician)
10. Evangelos Katsioulis – 204 (physician and founder of the World Intelligence Network)
11. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – 210 (estimated IQ, German polymath and writer)
12. Nikola Tesla – 160–310 (estimated IQ, inventor and electrical engineer)

Of course, IQ scores are often debated, especially for historical figures whose scores were estimated after the fact. Still, this list gives you a good idea of the kind of minds we're talking about when we ask, who is the smartest man in the world?

Major Achievements of the Smartest People

Being smart isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how you use that intelligence. Here are some of the most impressive achievements by people on our list:

• Marilyn vos Savant wrote the “Ask Marilyn” column in Parade Magazine, where she solved complex logic problems and famously tackled the Monty Hall problem.
• Terence Tao is a Fields Medal winner and a leading figure in mathematics. He started college at age 14 and earned his PhD by 21.
• Christopher Hirata worked with NASA at 16 and became a professor at Caltech. His research focuses on dark energy and cosmology.
• Evangelos Katsioulis is a medical doctor and founder of the World Intelligence Network, which connects high-IQ individuals globally.
• Stephen Hawking revolutionized our understanding of black holes and the nature of the universe through his work on singularities and radiation.
• Younghoon Kim, though still early in his career, is already involved in theoretical research and has contributed to emerging fields like AI ethics and cognitive science.

These achievements show that smart people don’t just think—they create, innovate, and lead in ways that change the world.

A Quick Look at IQ Testing Through History

IQ tests have been around for over a century, and they’ve evolved a lot since their inception. The idea of measuring intelligence started with French psychologist Alfred Binet, who created the first IQ test in 1905 to help identify children who needed extra help in school.

Over time, different versions of the test emerged, including the Stanford-Binet and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). These tests measure various aspects of intelligence, such as:

• Verbal comprehension
• Perceptual reasoning
• Working memory
• Processing speed

While IQ scores can give a rough idea of someone’s cognitive abilities, they don’t measure emotional intelligence, creativity, or practical problem-solving skills. That’s why many experts argue that IQ alone shouldn’t define someone as “the smartest man in the world.”

Still, for the general public, IQ scores remain a popular way to compare intelligence across individuals, especially when it comes to public figures and historical geniuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is currently recognized as the smartest man in the world?
Younghoon Kim holds the official world record for the highest IQ score of 276, verified in 2024.

What is the average IQ score for adults?
The average IQ score for adults is around 100, with most people falling between 85 and 115.

Can IQ scores change over time?
While IQ tests are standardized, a person’s score can vary slightly based on factors like stress, health, and test conditions. However, core cognitive abilities generally remain stable throughout life.

Learn more about IQ tests and high intelligence societies like Mensa.

Learn more about the history of intelligence testing on our site.

Read more about the smartest people alive today and their impact on the world.