Fear & Greed index.
Composite sentiment gauge across volatility, momentum, social, dominance, surveys. Live + 7-day historical trend.
Fear
Updated July 23, 2026
😱
Extreme Fear
0–25
😟
Fear
26–45
😐
Neutral
46–55
😊
Greed
56–75
🤑
Extreme Greed
76–100
Last 30 Days
What is the Crypto Fear & Greed Index?
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is a composite indicator that measures market sentiment on a scale from 0 (Extreme Fear) to 100 (Extreme Greed). Originally inspired by CNN's traditional market index, the crypto version was created by Alternative.me and has become one of the most widely referenced sentiment tools in cryptocurrency.
The famous Warren Buffett quote applies: "Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful." While originally about traditional markets, this contrarian approach has proven remarkably effective in crypto's emotional cycles.
How is the Index Calculated?
| Factor | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | 25% | Current BTC volatility vs. 30/90-day averages. Unusual volatility = fear. |
| Market Momentum | 25% | Buying volume vs. averages. High volume in rising market = greed. |
| Social Media | 15% | Twitter hashtag interaction rates and sentiment analysis. |
| Surveys | 15% | Weekly polls of crypto investors. |
| Bitcoin Dominance | 10% | Rising BTC dominance = fear (flight to safety from altcoins). |
| Google Trends | 10% | Search volume for crypto queries. Spikes in 'bitcoin crash' = fear. |
How to Use the Index for Trading
😱 Extreme Fear (0–25): Potential Buying Opportunity
Markets tend to overshoot during panic. Bitcoin has often bottomed when the index is in Extreme Fear territory. Dollar-cost averaging is generally preferable to catching the exact bottom.
😐 Neutral (46–55): Wait and Watch
The market is undecided. This is often a transitional phase. Many traders use this period for research rather than aggressive positioning.
🤑 Extreme Greed (76–100): Caution Advised
When everyone is euphoric, smart money is typically taking profits. Consider reducing position sizes or tightening stop-losses during extreme greed.
Limitations of the Index
Lagging indicator
Reflects current sentiment, not future direction. By the time it shows 'Extreme Fear,' prices have already dropped significantly.
Bitcoin-centric
Heavily weighted toward Bitcoin metrics. Altcoin sentiment may diverge — alt seasons can occur during moderate BTC fear.
Not a timing tool
Markets can remain in Extreme Fear or Greed for extended periods. The index doesn't tell you when sentiment will reverse.
Manipulation potential
Social media metrics can be influenced by bots. Google Trends can be skewed by news cycles unrelated to genuine sentiment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is the index updated?+
Is Extreme Fear always a good time to buy?+
Can the index predict a crash?+
Should I use it for day trading?+
How does crypto sentiment compare to traditional markets?+
More Market Analysis
Related Guides
Disclaimer
The Fear & Greed Index is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. Sentiment indicators should not be the sole basis for investment decisions.
What is the Crypto Fear & Greed Index?
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is a composite indicator that measures market sentiment on a scale from 0 (Extreme Fear) to 100 (Extreme Greed). Originally inspired by CNN's traditional market index, the crypto version was created by Alternative.me and has become one of the most widely referenced sentiment tools in cryptocurrency.
The famous Warren Buffett quote applies: "Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful." While originally about traditional markets, this contrarian approach has proven remarkably effective in crypto's emotional cycles.
How to Use the Index for Trading
Markets tend to overshoot during panic. Bitcoin has often bottomed when the index is in Extreme Fear territory. Dollar-cost averaging is generally preferable to catching the exact bottom.
The market is undecided. This is often a transitional phase. Many traders use this period for research rather than aggressive positioning.
When everyone is euphoric, smart money is typically taking profits. Consider reducing position sizes or tightening stop-losses during extreme greed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is the index updated?
The index is updated once daily, typically around 00:00 UTC. Our tracker fetches the latest data every 5 minutes to ensure you see the current reading promptly.
Is Extreme Fear always a good time to buy?
Not always. While Extreme Fear has historically preceded recoveries, prices can continue falling during prolonged bear markets. The 2022 bear market maintained low readings for months. Use it as one input among many.
Can the index predict a crash?
Not directly. Extreme Greed (80+) suggests elevated risk, but markets can remain irrationally greedy for extended periods. It's better for general risk assessment than precise crash prediction.
Should I use it for day trading?
The daily frequency makes it less useful for day trading. It's better for swing trading or long-term decisions. Day traders should use order flow, funding rates, and real-time volume analysis.
How does crypto sentiment compare to traditional markets?
Crypto sentiment is far more volatile. The crypto index regularly swings between 10 and 90 within weeks, while CNN's traditional index is more stable. This reflects crypto's higher volatility and retail-driven nature.
What data goes into the Fear & Greed Index?
The standard crypto index blends several inputs into a 0–100 score: price volatility versus recent averages, market momentum and volume, social-media activity, Bitcoin's dominance of total market cap, and search-trend data. Weightings differ by provider and get adjusted over time — which is why competing fear-greed indexes can disagree by 10–15 points on the same day. Treat the number as a summary of crowd temperature, not a precise measurement.
How should I read the index during a deep drawdown like 2026's?
In extended drawdowns the index can sit in Fear or Extreme Fear for months at a stretch — that is a regime, not a signal firing. The lesson of 2018 and 2022 repeats: extreme fear marks accumulation zones, never exact bottoms, and it punished anyone who treated a single sub-20 print as a buy trigger. Pair the index with position sizing — smaller adds, spread over time — rather than timing, and note that the strongest historical signal is not fear appearing but greed returning after a long fear regime.