Analysing your IQ
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Polymath
Leonardo da Vinci's IQ is estimated at 160+, placing them in the Profoundly Gifted classification.
This historiometric estimate is based on documented accomplishments, complexity of work, and contemporary accounts from the Renaissance era.
Methodology Note: This is a psychobiographical analysis based on documented behavior, contemporary accounts, and historiometric research methods. IQ estimates for historical figures are approximations derived from complexity of work and documented accomplishments. This is interpretation, not clinical diagnosis.
What made Leonardo da Vinci exceptional wasn't just talent—it was a specific configuration of traits that the Renaissance rewarded. Understanding that configuration is the point of this page.
Historiometric estimate
The archetype of High Openness. Distracted, visionary, and unable to finish projects due to perfectionism.
The dominant archetype here is The Creator. This archetype shapes decision patterns: what feels natural, what creates friction, and what blind spots tend to emerge.
Estimated IQ is ~160+. This is a rough historiometric estimate based on documented accomplishments and contemporary accounts—not a literal measurement.
Leonardo generated ideas at a rate that outpaced their ability to execute. This is a signature of high Openness combined with fluid intelligence.
Leonardo pursued knowledge across domains with apparent disregard for "usefulness." This polymathic drive is rare and difficult to sustain.
Despite high ability, Leonardo famously left projects unfinished. This pattern often indicates perfectionism or task-switching driven by boredom.
Context matters: Leonardo operated in Renaissance, when the path from ambition to impact looked different than it does today. The traits are timeless; the arena was not.
Leonardo's greatest strength (Divergent Thinking and Curiosity) was also their greatest liability when taken to extremes.
The The Creator archetype tends to succeed in environments that reward bold action and long-term vision, but struggles in environments that demand consensus-building.
One pattern worth noting: Leonardo's output was most productive when external constraints forced focus. Without structure, the same traits that enabled greatness sometimes led to overreach.
Steve Jobs represents the contemporary version of Leonardo's psychological profile. The era is different, but the underlying patterns—risk tolerance, work style, social strategy—map closely.
View Steve Jobs's ProfileFor a deeper understanding of Leonardo da Vinci's psychology, consider primary biographies that document behavior patterns, decision-making, and personal correspondence.
Historiometric methods used in IQ estimation are based on research by Cox (1926), Simonton (1994), and others who analyze documented accomplishments as proxies for cognitive ability.
Explore psychological profiles of contemporary figures analyzed with similar methods.
Browse All ProfilesTraits commonly observed in individuals with Leonardo da Vinci's cognitive profile:
Leonardo da Vinci's estimated IQ is 160+, which places them in the Profoundly Gifted classification. This historiometric estimate is based on documented accomplishments, complexity of work, and contemporary accounts—not a literal IQ test score, as standardized testing didn't exist in their era.
Yes, with an estimated IQ of 160+, Leonardo qualifies as Profoundly Gifted level intelligence. However, "genius" oversimplifies their profile. Their The Creator archetype, combined with Divergent Thinking and Curiosity, better explains their exceptional output.
Leonardo fits the The Creator archetype. Key traits include Divergent Thinking, Curiosity, and Procrastination. This psychological profile explains both their strengths and documented failure modes.
The closest modern parallel to Leonardo da Vinci is Steve Jobs. This comparison is based on operating style, The Creator archetype, and similar trait configuration—not accomplishment level.
Leonardo's profile teaches that extreme strengths create extreme tradeoffs. Their Divergent Thinking and Curiosity enabled success but also created recurring friction patterns.