Google Finance Real-Time Stock Quotes: Which Markets Are Live?
Brokers once charged extra for a live stock market feed. In June 2008 Google announced real-time quotes for NASDAQ stocks on Google Finance, free for everyone. This updated guide explains how Google Finance real-time quotes work today, which markets are live and which are delayed, and how to tell the difference.
Quick answer: Google Finance shows real-time prices for many major exchanges, including NASDAQ, NYSE, India’s NSE and BSE, and London. Some markets, such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Toronto and Australia, are delayed by 15 to 20 minutes. Google lists each exchange’s delay on its official disclaimer page, so check it before relying on a price.
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What changed since 2008
In 2008 the news was simply that NASDAQ prices changed live on the page with no need to refresh the browser. I saw similar live quotes on Yahoo Finance too. Since then Google Finance has been redesigned several times. It now shows market summaries, news, watchlists and portfolios, and it has expanded real-time data to many exchanges around the world.
Google Finance real-time vs delayed quotes
According to Google’s Google Finance data disclaimer, each exchange is labelled either real-time or delayed by a set number of minutes. As listed there:
Real-time markets (examples)
- NASDAQ and NYSE (US). Volume and trades executed on other venues are consolidated and delayed by 15 minutes.
- NSE and BSE (India)
- London, Frankfurt, Milan, Stockholm and Singapore
Delayed markets (examples)
- Toronto and Hong Kong: 15 minutes
- Tokyo, Australia, Korea and Mexico: 20 minutes
- Mutual funds: end-of-day prices
- Currencies and cryptocurrency: a few minutes
These delays can change, so treat Google’s disclaimer page as the source of truth. For most people following US or Indian shares, Google Finance real-time prices are good enough for a quick check during market hours, but a few minutes can matter for active traders.
How to check if a Google Finance real-time quote is live
- Open Google Finance and search for the company name or ticker.
- Look at the small note under the price, which shows the time of the last update and a disclaimer link.
- Compare the exchange code (for example NASDAQ, NYSE, NSE or BOM for BSE) with the disclaimer list to see whether it is real-time or delayed.
Other ways to follow stock prices
- Google Sheets: the GOOGLEFINANCE function pulls prices into a spreadsheet. See how to create a stock watchlist and track your portfolio in Google Sheets. Spreadsheet data can be delayed.
- Your broker’s app: trading platforms show live prices for the markets you trade on. Indian investors can see our Zerodha Kite login guide.
- Yahoo Finance: another free quote and news site, which also marks delayed data.
Google Finance is a handy free tool for checking prices and news, but always confirm the price on your broker’s platform before you trade.
FAQ
Is Google Finance real-time?
For many major exchanges, including NASDAQ, NYSE, NSE and BSE, yes. Some exchanges are delayed by 15 to 20 minutes.
Is Google Finance free?
Yes. You can view quotes, charts, news and watchlists with a Google account at no cost.
Are GOOGLEFINANCE prices in Google Sheets real-time?
Not always. Google notes that spreadsheet quotes may be delayed, so don’t use them for trading decisions.
Where can I see Google Finance delays for each market?
On the official Google Finance data disclaimer page, which lists every exchange and its delay.
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Google do however provide a free exchange rates API, where they source rates under license from Citibank. The API works by passing currency details in the parameters to a web page.
Nowadays, stock markets are really hard to understand. It’s confusing for people who have less knowledge on stock market. Nasdaq is really a good site to learn more on stock market, i guess.
Personal Finance Bible
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Jenifer
That’s true, go straight to Nasdaq and you won’t have to worry about it.
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Actually if you look on these sites they let you know that they are not “live” quotes. Their on 20 min delays. They appear live since they update by the second but they are doing this with 20 min old data. Both sites have disclaimers right under their graphs. yahoo (20 min) google(15 min)
Why not just go to the source? NASDAQ.com offers real-time stock quotes and they’re the one supplying that data to these other sites.
I like to get my info straight from the horse’s mouth.