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CBOE Volatility Index
United StatesVIX

CBOE Volatility Index

Region

United States

Exchange

CBOE

Ticker

VIX

About CBOE Volatility Index

The VIX, often called the 'fear gauge', measures the market's expectation of 30-day forward-looking volatility implied from S&P 500 options prices. It is not a traditional stock index but rather a real-time sentiment indicator used by traders to gauge market fear and complacency.

CBOE Volatility Index Price Chart

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Components

Derived from S&P 500 (SPX) option prices — both calls and puts across a wide range of strike prices. Not composed of individual stocks.

Trading Hours

VIX options and futures trade on CBOE and CFE: 08:30–15:15 CT and extended Globex hours.

Fact Sheet

Introduced in 1993 by the CBOE. Updated in 2003 to use S&P 500 options (previously used S&P 100). VIX futures launched 2004, VIX options 2006.