Realized Volatility
Also called: realised volatility, actual volatility
Realized volatility is the volatility an asset actually delivered over a period, computed from observed returns. Comparing it with implied volatility is the core option trade: implied has historically exceeded realized on average, which is the volatility risk premium option sellers harvest. Measured from high-frequency data it becomes a far more accurate estimate than daily closes allow, which is why intraday realized-vol estimators dominate modern risk systems.
Formula
Annualised realized vol = Std dev of daily returns × √252
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