Fear & Greed Index
Live crypto market sentiment, from extreme fear to extreme greed.
About the Crypto Fear & Greed Index
The Fear & Greed Index distills crypto market sentiment into a single number from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed). It blends volatility, momentum, social signals and market trends. The idea is contrarian: extreme fear can signal that investors are over-worried — a potential buying opportunity — while extreme greed may mean the market is due for a correction.
How to read it
- 0–24 — Extreme Fear: investors are very worried; historically a zone of opportunity.
- 25–44 — Fear: caution dominates the market.
- 45–55 — Neutral: balanced sentiment.
- 56–75 — Greed: optimism is building.
- 76–100 — Extreme Greed: the market may be overheated.
Sentiment is one input among many — pair it with the data on our markets page and never treat it as a buy or sell signal on its own.
How to use it
Read the live index value from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed).
Check the label to see the current market mood.
Use it as one signal among many — never in isolation.
What is the Crypto Fear & Greed Index?
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index distills the mood of the cryptocurrency market into a single number from 0 to 100. A low reading signals fear — investors are nervous and selling; a high reading signals greed — investors are confident and buying. The index is widely used as a quick sentiment gauge alongside price and on-chain data.
How the index is scored
The reading combines several market signals into one score:
- Volatility — unusual price swings often accompany fear.
- Market momentum and volume — strong buying volume points to greed.
- Social media activity — spikes in chatter and sentiment.
- Market trends — the broader direction of major assets.
The scale is usually read as: 0–24 extreme fear, 25–44 fear, 45–55 neutral, 56–74 greed, and 75–100 extreme greed.
How investors use it
A common contrarian principle is “be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” Extreme fear can mean assets are oversold and a rebound may follow; extreme greed can suggest the market is overheated and due for a pullback. The index is best used as context — one signal among many — never as a sole reason to buy or sell.
Putting it in context
Combine the sentiment reading with live market data, individual coin analysis and the broader news flow. Sentiment tells you how the crowd feels; it does not tell you what will happen next.
The psychology of fear and greed
Markets are driven by people, and people are driven by emotion. When prices rise, fear of missing out (FOMO) pulls more buyers in, pushing prices higher still — that is greed. When prices fall, fear takes over and selling feeds on itself. The Fear & Greed Index tries to measure where the crowd sits on that emotional spectrum, because extremes in sentiment often precede turning points.
Using the index as a contrarian signal
The most common way investors use the index is as a contrarian indicator, echoing Warren Buffett’s advice to “be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” Extreme fear can mark moments when assets are oversold and pessimism is overdone; extreme greed can flag a market that has run too hot. The index does not tell you when a reversal will happen — only that conditions are stretched.
Fear, greed and market cycles
Crypto moves in cycles of euphoria and despair. Historically, periods of extreme greed have clustered near local tops, and stretches of extreme fear near major bottoms. Looking at how the index has behaved over previous cycles can add context to today’s reading, though history never repeats exactly.
Sentiment vs. other indicators
Sentiment is one lens among many. Technical analysts watch price patterns and momentum; on-chain analysts watch wallet flows and network activity; fundamental investors watch adoption and cash flows. The Fear & Greed Index complements these — it is strongest when it agrees with other signals and weakest when used in isolation.
The limits of sentiment analysis
Sentiment can stay extreme for a long time — markets can remain greedy, or fearful, far longer than seems reasonable. The index is a gauge of mood, not a timing tool, and acting on it mechanically can lead you to buy or sell far too early. Use it to check your own emotions and to add context, never as a sole reason to trade.
Frequently asked questions
What does a low Fear & Greed score mean?
Extreme fear — investors are anxious. Historically this has sometimes coincided with market bottoms, but it is not a guarantee.
How often does the index update?
It refreshes regularly to reflect current market conditions.
Should I trade based on the index alone?
No. Use it as one input among many, together with your own research and risk management.