Terry Davis

Terry Davis

Public Figures · American computer programmer (1969–2018)
150
Estimated IQ
Top 0.043% of population
Genius
Score: Estimated

Where 150 Falls on the IQ Scale

70 — Low 100 — Average 130 — Gifted 160 — Genius
Below 85: Below average 85–115: Average range 130+: Top 2% 145+: Top 0.1%
Average person
100
Terry
150
Albert Einstein
160

What Is Terry Davis's IQ?

Terry Davis's IQ is estimated at approximately 150, placing them in the Genius range. Terrence Andrew Davis was an American electrical engineer, computer programmer, and outsider artist best known for creating and designing TempleOS, a public domain operating system. In 1996, Davis began experiencing regular manic episodes, some of which led to hospitalization.

For context, an IQ of 150 would put Terry Davis in approximately the 99.957th percentile of the global population. The average IQ is 100, and a score above 130 is generally considered "gifted," while 145+ is typically classified as genius-level.

99.957th
An IQ of 150 places Terry Davis in the 99.957th percentile globally. Out of every 2,300 people, only 1 scores this high or higher.

Evidence Behind the Estimate

Unlike some figures with formally disclosed IQ scores, most celebrity IQ estimates are compiled from academic records, biographical accounts, performance data, and expert analysis. Estimated

Intelligence Indicators
  • Has built a following based partly on intellectual credibility and analytical insight
  • Educational or professional background demonstrates strong academic ability
  • Known for the ability to explain complex ideas to broad audiences
  • Has demonstrated wide-ranging intellectual interests across multiple domains
  • Their work requires synthesizing research, data, and real-world observation

How Does Terry Davis Compare?

With an estimated IQ of 150, Terry Davis falls into the Genius classification. Scores in this range are found in roughly the top 2–5% of the population and are associated with exceptional academic and professional achievement.

What Does This IQ Score Mean?

Psychologists generally agree that IQ captures a meaningful slice of cognitive ability — particularly in areas like abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, and verbal comprehension — but it's far from a complete picture. Many researchers emphasize that above a threshold of around 120–130, raw intelligence increasingly gives way to creativity, grit, emotional intelligence, and circumstance as determinants of real-world success.

Terry Davis's accomplishments in public figures suggest a cognitive profile that pairs well with their estimated IQ — demonstrating not just raw intellectual firepower, but the drive and focus to convert it into meaningful output.