Gold Volatility: ATR and Daily Range
Gold's average daily range, ATR(14), the latest session range and an hour-by-hour volatility heatmap in your time zone. Updated automatically.
Daily range, last 20 sessions (high − low, $)
Gold volatility heatmap (average hourly range in $, UTC)
| Day | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 25 | 23 | 22 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 9 | 12 | 11 | |
| Tue | 19 | 26 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 22 | 15 | 16 | 22 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 11 | |
| Wed | 16 | 23 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 40 | 35 | 25 | 23 | 14 | 16 | 26 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 12 | |
| Thu | 22 | 26 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 11 | |
| Fri | 18 | 24 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 42 | 34 | 37 | 25 | 22 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 12 |
Based on 58 days of hourly COMEX gold futures bars. Darker = bigger average move in that hour.
Source: COMEX gold futures (GC=F), daily and hourly bars. Data updated . Updates automatically several times a day.
Why volatility matters on gold
Gold is one of the most volatile instruments most retail traders touch. A normal day can be $78.2 from high to low at the moment. Knowing that number protects you from two classic mistakes: stops that are too tight for normal noise, and position sizes that are too big for a normal day.
Three ways to use this page
- Stops: compare your stop distance with ATR. A $3 stop when ATR is $70 sits inside normal noise.
- Size: wider stops need smaller positions. Enter the stop in the position size calculator.
- Timing: the heatmap shows which hours usually move most. Match your strategy to them, for example the London session or the New York session, and check gold market hours in your time zone.
Scalpers should read the gold scalping strategy and session traders the Asian range breakout lesson.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average daily range of gold?
Over the last 20 trading days, COMEX gold futures moved an average of about $78.2 from high to low each day, and about $96.2 over 60 days. This changes with market conditions, so check this page for the latest figure.
What is ATR for gold?
ATR (Average True Range) measures how much price typically moves per bar, including gaps. ATR(14) on the daily chart is the average of the last 14 days’ true ranges. Traders use it to set stops that respect normal volatility and to size positions.
What time is gold most volatile?
Historically, gold’s biggest hourly moves cluster around the London open and especially the US session, when US data is released (8:30 am New York time) and the London and New York sessions overlap. The heatmap on this page shows average hourly ranges over the last 60 days in your local time.
How do I use ATR to place a stop-loss?
One common approach is to place the stop beyond a structural level plus a fraction of ATR, so normal noise doesn’t hit it. Then size the position so that stop distance equals your fixed risk. Our risk management lesson explains this step by step.
Is this spot XAUUSD or futures data?
It uses COMEX gold futures (GC). Futures track spot XAUUSD very closely, but the price level and exact ranges can differ slightly from your broker’s spot quote.
Why does gold's volatility change?
Volatility rises around major data (CPI, NFP, Fed decisions), geopolitical shocks and big trend changes, and falls during holidays and quiet periods. That’s why a fixed $5 stop can be too tight one week and fine the next.
Educational tool only. Not financial advice and not a signal. Check your own broker's contract specification, margin rules and costs. Past data does not predict future prices. See our risk disclaimer.