📊 VIX Volatility Index Tracker
The CBOE Volatility Index — Wall Street's "fear gauge." Full daily history from 1990. Sourced from FRED (VIXCLS).
Last updated: Mar 30, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC·Source: FRED·VIXCLS
⚠️
Data may be stale. This data was last refreshed on Mar 30, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC. FRED data updates may be delayed during weekends, holidays, or API outages. We refresh automatically — check back soon.
Current Fear Level
High / Anxious
VIX: 30.61 · Percentile: 93% · 2026-03-30
7-Day Avg
27.76
30-Day Avg
23.8
All-Time Avg
19.46
Percentile
93%
All-Time High
82.69
2020-03-16
All-Time Low
9.14
2017-11-03
Median
17.61
Data Points
9,154
Since 1990
VIX Over Time
Low / Calm (0–15)Moderate (15–25)High / Anxious (25–35)Extreme / Panic (35–∞)
📌 Notable VIX Spikes
| Date | Event | VIX Close |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 2020 | COVID-19 Panic | 82.69 |
| Nov 20, 2008 | Lehman Collapse Aftermath | 80.86 |
| Oct 24, 2008 | Financial Crisis | 79.13 |
| Aug 8, 2011 | US Downgrade | 48 |
| May 20, 2010 | Flash Crash | 45.79 |
| Aug 31, 1998 | LTCM Crisis | 44.28 |
| Aug 24, 2015 | China Devaluation | 40.74 |
| Jul 24, 2002 | WorldCom Scandal | 39.86 |
| Oct 27, 1997 | Asian Financial Crisis | 31.12 |
📋 Daily Data
🧠
Understanding the VIX
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) measures the market's expectation of 30-day forward-looking volatility, derived from S&P 500 index options. Often called the "fear gauge" — spikes signal panic buying of protection.
Fear zones: 0–15 (Calm) → 15–25 (Moderate) → 25–35 (Anxious) → 35+ (Panic).
Grey shaded regions mark NBER recession periods. VIX spikes tend to precede or coincide with recessions. Dashed red lines mark notable historical crises.