What Does Iqlet Mean? TikTok Slang Explained

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Slang expert Jemaree Jay defines "iqlet" and explains which TikTok communities use it the most

Co-authored by Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: March 24, 2026

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"Iqlet" Slang Meaning

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"Iqlet" Origins

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Is it acceptable to say?

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More TikTok Slang

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If you've stumbled onto any blackpill or looksmaxxing TikToks lately, you might have already heard the term "iqlet" (pronounced I-Q-let). For those who don't know, this is an insult reserved for people with a perceived lack of intelligence or knowledge about a topic. We spoke exclusively to a slang expert to discover the full meaning of the word "iqlet," where it came from, and whether it's acceptable to call someone that (spoiler alert: it's not). Let's go!

What does "iqlet" from TikTok mean?

Slang expert Jemaree Jay says that "iqlet" is a slang term that some TikTokers call people they perceive as lacking knowledge in a topic (or overall). For example, a TikToker might call another person an iqlet to criticize their take on a given subject, then share their opinion and explain why it's the correct one.

Section 1 of 4:

What does "iqlet" mean in TikTok slang?

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"Iqlet" is an insult for someone perceived as lacking knowledge or IQ points. A TikToker might call another person an "iqlet" if they think their take on a specific topic is illogical, explains Jay. He adds that they might also throw the insult at a person whom they believe has a low IQ score and lacks knowledge on all subjects. Jay says they usually follow up the insult by sharing their own opinion and using their logic to explain why it's the "correct" one.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Jemaree Jay
Slang Expert

Expert Interview}
- Alternative spellings & pronunciation: "Iqlet" is also spelled "IQlet" or "IQLET." Regardless of its spelling, most people pronounce it as I-Q-let.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Jemaree Jay is a slang expert and has been a content creator since 2003. He specializes in viral social content about Gen Z identity, internet culture, and more.

Section 2 of 4:

Where did "iqlet" come from?

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"Iqlet" likely originated in the online blackpill community. "Iqlet" is "associated heavily [with] the black pill community," says Jay.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Jemaree Jay
Slang Expert

Expert Interview} Blackpillers—AKA incels—are men who have given up on trying to date or have sex with women. They claim that human attractiveness is determined solely by genetics, and that only the handsomest men (called "Chads") can hope to attract women.^{[3]
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Research source} Though they have a low opinion of their physical appeal, blackpillers tend to rate their intelligence levels very highly. They're also quick to call out people whom they believe aren't as smart as they are, especially women.
- Blackpillers tend to be anti-feminist and anti-women's rights. Many of them blame women for being "shallow" and only focusing on men's looks. They also claim that women don't care about men's other qualities, like their intelligence or skills. At the same time, they refuse to look inward and self-reflect on why women might be rejecting them.
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The looksmaxxing community also uses the term "iqlet." Unlike blackpillers, looksmaxxers put a lot of effort into "maximizing" their looks and personality. Their stated goal is self-improvement, as well as to achieve the highest rating of attractiveness possible. The rating system looksmaxxers use (called the PSL scale) is arbitrary, though. This means that a lot of men (and some women) are basing their self-worth on some made-up rules. Some even develop health issues as they try to enhance their physical looks. They also call other people "iqlets" for going against their flawed logic.
- For example, in this TikTok posted by @looksiseverything5, the caption calls someone who recommends leaving your wisdom teeth in your mouth if they're not causing issues a "Sub 5 Iqlet."
- The caption also claims that the longer you leave your wisdom teeth in, the more "bone mass" they'll absorb from your jaw. This can be a real health concern, but the main reason looksmaxxers worry about it seems to be that it might reduce their jaw size (male looksmaxxers rate thick, strong jaws highly on the PSL attractiveness scale).^{[4]
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  Research source}

Section 3 of 4:

Is it acceptable to call someone an iqlet?

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No, it's rude and offensive to call someone an "iqlet," online or in-person. When a TikToker (or anybody else) calls another person an "iqlet," they're basically saying they have little to no intelligence. More often than not, though, they simply don't like the other person's opinion or the logic they used to come up with it. By using this term, they're also implying that they're much smarter than the person they're calling an "iqlet." This makes them sound arrogant and self-centered, and no one likes debating or interacting with someone like that.
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Be respectful when disagreeing with people online instead of insulting them. There are plenty of constructive ways to disagree with someone online, and none of them involve insulting their intelligence! For example, you can debate their point of view and simply not call them a name. Alternatively, if someone in a video or your comment section is really getting under your skin, you can also just ignore them or block them. That way, you don't have to deal with them anymore.