What Is the Symbol for VIX Futures
The symbol for VIX futures on most trading platforms and data feeds is VX. CME Group lists these contracts under the root ticker VX, and they are traded on the CBOE Volatility Index. The symbol alone tells you the underlying is the VIX, but the full contract code adds an expiration month and year, so the instrument you actually trade is a specific monthly future tied to the VIX spot level.
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How the VX Ticker Is Quoted
VX futures are quoted in points, where one point equals $1,000 of notional value. A VX quote of 15.00 means the contract is trading at 15.00 points, or $15,000 in notional value. The price reflects the market's expectation of the 30-day VIX level at the contract's expiration. Because VIX itself is derived from S&P 500 index options, VX futures are a direct play on near-term volatility expectations without the path-dependent risk of options.
Reading the Full Contract Symbol
The full symbol combines the root ticker VX with a month code and a year. Month codes use the standard CME convention: F for January, G for February, H for March, J for April, K for May, M for June, N for July, Q for August, U for September, V for October, X for November, and Z for December. The final part is the year digit. A VIX futures contract expiring in March 2026 would be quoted as VXM6, and a September 2026 contract would be VXU6.
| Month | Code | Example (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| January | F | VXF6 |
| February | G | VXG6 |
| March | H | VXH6 |
| June | M | VXM6 |
| September | U | VXU6 |
| December | Z | VXZ6 |
Front-Month Versus Deferred Contracts
Traders sometimes refer to the front-month VX contract as the nearest expiration, while deferred contracts are those further out. The front-month VX future is the most liquid and the one most often cited when people say "the VIX future." Because VIX futures are cash-settled and based on the VIX spot index, the front-month contract tends to be the tightest proxy for near-term volatility sentiment. Deferred contracts reflect longer-dated expectations and can trade at a premium or discount to the front month depending on the shape of the volatility term structure.
Where to Find the VX Symbol
You can find the VX ticker on the CME Group website, Bloomberg, and most retail trading platforms that offer volatility products. On platforms like thinkorswim, Interactive Brokers, or TradeStation, searching "VX" will surface the active monthly contracts. The exact displayed symbol may include the full year (e.g., VXH26) or the truncated form (VXH6) depending on the platform's settings. Always confirm the expiration date attached to the symbol before placing an order, because the contract that is active shifts as expirations approach.
Why the Symbol Matters for Trading
Using the correct VX symbol ensures you are trading the volatility instrument you intend and not a related but different product, such as VIX spot options or VXX, which is an ETN and carries its own ticker. Misreading the symbol or confusing VX with the VIX spot index can lead to sizing errors or unexpected contract expirations. If you are trading volatility directly, the VX root with the appropriate month and year code is the precise instrument to reference.