Crypto Fear & Greed Index
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index distils market sentiment into a single number from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed). See today's reading and what it means.
What the Fear & Greed Index does
Markets are driven as much by emotion as by fundamentals. When investors are euphoric they overpay; when they are terrified they sell at any price. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index turns that collective mood into one easy number, updated daily, so you can see at a glance whether the market is fearful, greedy or somewhere in between — and sanity-check your own bias against the crowd.
How to read the 0–100 scale
| Score | Zone | What it usually signals |
|---|---|---|
| 0–24 | Extreme fear | Investors are very worried — historically a zone of potential opportunity |
| 25–44 | Fear | Caution dominates; sentiment is negative |
| 45–55 | Neutral | The market is undecided, with no strong emotional lean |
| 56–75 | Greed | Optimism is building; momentum is positive |
| 76–100 | Extreme greed | Euphoria — historically a zone where caution is warranted |
What the index actually measures
The score is a blend of several market signals rather than a single input. The usual ingredients are:
- Volatility — current price swings versus recent averages; sharp drops feed fear.
- Market momentum & volume — buying pressure relative to recent norms; strong green pushes greed.
- Social sentiment — the tone and volume of crypto chatter.
- Dominance — shifts toward Bitcoin often signal caution; rotation into altcoins signals risk appetite.
- Trends & search interest — spikes in public attention, which tend to cluster around emotional extremes.
Why it works as a contrarian signal
How to use the index sensibly
- Watch the extremes, not every one-point move — the edges of the scale carry the most information.
- Combine it with other signals — price structure, on-chain data and the fundamentals on each coin page.
- Use it to check yourself — if you feel euphoric and the index screams greed, that is a moment for discipline.
Limitations to keep in mind
- It is a sentiment gauge, not a forecast — markets can stay fearful or greedy for a long time.
- It is heavily Bitcoin-weighted, so it may not reflect a specific altcoin's mood.
- It reacts to price as much as it predicts it — treat it as one input among many.
Key terms
- Sentiment
- The overall emotional attitude of investors toward the market.
- Contrarian indicator
- A signal you act against the crowd on — buying fear, trimming greed.
- Capitulation
- A wave of panic selling that often marks a sentiment low.
- Bitcoin dominance
- Bitcoin's share of total crypto market cap; a risk-appetite gauge.
Tips
- Track the index over weeks, not hours, to read the trend in sentiment.
- Pair extreme readings with the compare coins and markets tools before acting.
- Never trade on the index alone — it is a mood ring, not a crystal ball.
Frequently asked questions
What does it measure?
A blend of volatility, momentum, volume and trends into one sentiment score.
How should I use it?
As one sentiment signal among many — not a buy or sell trigger.
What is the Crypto Fear and Greed Index?
It is a sentiment gauge that condenses the crypto market's mood into a single number from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed), blending volatility, momentum, volume, social signals and dominance so you can read the emotional temperature at a glance.
How is the Fear and Greed score calculated?
It combines several weighted inputs — recent volatility, market momentum and volume, social sentiment, Bitcoin dominance and search-trend interest — into one daily score between 0 and 100.
What does extreme fear mean for the market?
A reading in the 0–24 zone means investors are very worried and selling pressure is high. Historically these moments have sometimes marked opportunities, which is why many treat extreme fear as a prompt to research rather than to panic. It is not a guarantee.
Should I buy when the index shows extreme fear?
The index is a contrarian sentiment signal, not financial advice. Some long-term investors use extreme fear as a cue to look for value, but markets can stay fearful for a long time. Always combine it with your own research and risk management.
What does extreme greed indicate?
A reading of 76–100 signals euphoria and crowded positioning, which historically has sometimes preceded pullbacks. Many investors use it as a reminder to manage risk rather than chase, but it is a mood gauge, not a sell signal.
How often does the Fear and Greed Index update?
It is recalculated daily from the latest market data, so the reading you see reflects the most recent sentiment snapshot.
Is the index specific to Bitcoin or the whole market?
It reflects the broad crypto market but is heavily weighted toward Bitcoin, so it may not capture the sentiment of a specific altcoin. Use it as a market-wide mood gauge.
Can the index predict price movements?
No. It measures current sentiment rather than forecasting prices. It often moves with price as much as ahead of it, so it is best used as one input alongside other analysis.
Why is sentiment useful when investing in crypto?
Because crypto is highly emotional and retail-driven, extremes in fear and greed often cluster around turning points. Tracking sentiment helps you avoid buying into euphoria or selling into panic on impulse.
What is the difference between fear and extreme fear?
Fear (25–44) means caution dominates and sentiment is negative; extreme fear (0–24) is a more intense, often capitulatory state. The further toward the edges, the more emotionally stretched the market.
Is a neutral reading a good time to act?
A neutral score (around 45–55) simply means the market has no strong emotional lean. It offers little contrarian edge, so most who use the index wait for the extremes.
Should I rely on the index alone for decisions?
No. It is one sentiment signal among many. Combine it with price structure, fundamentals and your own risk plan — and remember nothing here is financial advice.