What is Sheldon's stated IQ?

Sheldon’s stated IQ is 187. The number is part of Sheldon Cooper’s established character profile in The Big Bang Theory, where he repeatedly presents himself as an extraordinary genius with an IQ far above that of his friends.

The wording “stated IQ” matters because the series treats 187 as Sheldon’s own claim, not as the result of a formally documented test shown to viewers. He also says that ordinary IQ tests cannot accurately measure his intelligence, creating a small joke about the limits of the number he boasts about.

Sheldon’s IQ is often confused with Leonard Hofstadter’s stated IQ of 173. Leonard is also portrayed as exceptionally intelligent, but the show uses the difference to reinforce Sheldon’s competitive, status-conscious personality. IQ is only one part of Sheldon’s characterization: his scientific ability coexists with conspicuous weaknesses in social judgment, empathy, and everyday practical behavior.

The figure belongs to the fictional world of the series and should not be treated as a real psychological assessment of the character or actor.