VIX Index Chart

VIX 25.64 −2.54 (−9.01%)
Elevated

Close for Nov 6, 2026, source: Cboe

20Elevated30High fear

VIX Today — Current Level & Fear Gauge

What today's level means →
VIX 25.64 −2.54 (−9.01%)
Elevated

· source: Cboe daily data

The VIX is at 25.64, in the elevated zone and down 9.0% on the prior session. That is higher than 84% of daily closes since 1990, and implies a typical S&P 500 move of about ±1.6% a day or ±7.4% over the next month.

Day range
23.47 – 27.76
52-week range
13.38 – 35.30
1-year average
18.08
Percentile since 1990
84th
VIX closing values — last 10 sessions
DateCloseChangeFear level
Nov 6, 202625.64−2.54Elevated
Nov 5, 202628.18+11.57Elevated
Nov 4, 202616.61−4.22Calm
Nov 3, 202620.83−0.32Elevated
Nov 2, 202621.15+1.73Elevated
Oct 30, 202619.42+2.22Calm
Oct 29, 202617.20+0.29Calm
Oct 28, 202616.91−0.61Calm
Oct 27, 202617.52−0.87Calm
Oct 26, 202618.39−1.06Calm

Volatility Gauges

How to read them →

Closes for · source: Cboe

VIX9D (9-day)
27.18
VIX (30-day)
25.64
VIX3M (3-month)
24.60
VIX / VIX3M
1.042
VVIX (vol of VIX)
121.94
SKEW (tail risk)
153.55

At or above 1, 30-day volatility is priced over 3-month volatility, a sign of acute stress. The 9-day measure is above the VIX, so the market is pricing the risk as near-term. Read more about these indicators.

VIX Futures Curve

Full VIX futures page →

Settlement prices for · source: Cboe Futures Exchange

Curve shape
Front-end kink
Front month
23.69
Second month
22.18
Month 1 to month 2
−6.38%

The front month is priced above the second month, so traders are paying up for near-term protection, while later contracts return to an upward slope. Spot VIX is 25.64, above the 23.69 front-month contract, which expires in 12 days.

Spot: 25.6425.64X6: 23.6923.69Z6: 22.1822.18F7: 22.05G7: 21.94H7: 21.70J7: 21.78K7: 21.73M7: 21.68N7: 21.8821.88Spot12d75d131d193d257d
VIX futures settlements by contract
ContractExpiresDaysSettlevs spotvs prior
VX/X6Nov 18, 20261223.69−1.95−7.59%
VX/Z6Dec 16, 20264022.18−3.46−6.38%
VX/F7Jan 20, 20277522.05−3.59−0.60%
VX/G7Feb 17, 202710321.94−3.70−0.52%
VX/H7Mar 17, 202713121.70−3.94−1.08%
VX/J7Apr 21, 202716621.78−3.86+0.36%
VX/K7May 18, 202719321.73−3.91−0.24%
VX/M7Jun 16, 202722221.68−3.96−0.23%
VX/N7Jul 21, 202725721.88−3.77+0.92%

VIX ETFs & ETNs

ProShares Ultra VIX (UVXY) 1.5x ETF
iPath VIX ETN (VXX) ETN

VIX Futures & Term Structure

Full VIX futures page →
VIX Futures (Front Month) Futures
Short VIX (SVXY) Inverse

What is VIX?

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) measures 30-day expected volatility of the S&P 500. Known as the "fear gauge," it rises during market uncertainty and falls during calm periods.

VIX Trading Levels

VIX below 20 indicates low volatility and market confidence. Levels 20-30 suggest moderate uncertainty. Above 30 signals high fear, while extreme spikes above 40 occur during market crises. See what the VIX level today means for the full fear scale.

VIX ETFs & Futures

Gain exposure to volatility through VIX futures and ETFs such as VXX, UVXY (leveraged long), and SVXY (inverse). These products track VIX futures rather than spot VIX, which produces contango decay over time — best suited to short-duration positioning rather than long-term holding. See our VIX ETF guide.

VIX Index Today — Common Questions

What is the VIX today?

The current reading, its change on the day and its fear zone are at the top of this page, using Cboe data delayed about 15 minutes. Below 20 is calm, 20–30 is elevated, and above 30 signals high fear.

What is a normal VIX level?

Since 1990 the VIX has averaged around 19 and its median close is about 17.5. Roughly half of all trading days close between 12 and 20, and fewer than one day in ten closes above 30. See the full VIX historical data.

What does it mean when the VIX goes up?

A rising VIX means SPX option prices are climbing because traders are paying more for protection. It usually happens when the S&P 500 is falling (see both charts side by side), and it signals larger daily swings are expected over the next 30 days.

How do I turn the VIX into an expected S&P 500 move?

Divide the VIX by about 16 for the expected one-day move in percent, or by about 3.5 for a one-month move. A VIX of 16 implies a typical daily S&P 500 move of about 1%. Try the expected move calculator.

New to the VIX? Start Here

Home page last reviewed on 2026-10-31. VIX figures come from Cboe, delayed about 15 minutes. Futures, ETF and market charts are TradingView widgets.