The Forex market is a global marketplace for currency trading that operates 24 hours a day, five days a week (Monday to Friday). The market opens at 00:00 GMT-UTC and continues until 22:00 GMT on Friday.
The market's structure is based on four major trading sessions of Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York.
What Are the Forex Market Hours?
The Forex market starts at 22:00 UTC on Sunday and continues until 22:00 on Friday, operating nonstop 24 hours a day.
This continuity results from the rotating activity of the four major global financial centers, each responsible for the market during specific time intervals.
Traders can easily access the Forex market hours across various time zones using the TradingFinder tool:
The market activity starts with the Sydney session and ends with the New York session at the close of the business week. Below is a table of the Forex market opening and closing hours:
Trading Session | Major Financial Centers | Market Opening Time (UTC) | Market Closing Time (UTC) |
Sydney | Australia, New Zealand | 22:00 | 07:00 |
Tokyo | Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong | 00:00 | 09:00 |
London | UK, Germany, France | 08:00 | 17:00 |
New York | USA, Canada | 13:00 | 22:00 |
Summer and Winter Time in Forex Market
Forex market hours are affected by Daylight Saving Time (DST) in regions like the United States and Europe.
This seasonal adjustment temporarily shifts the start and end times of some trading sessions, particularly impacting traders in the Middle East and Asia, who must adjust their schedules accordingly.
Forex session time table:
Trading Session | Summer Time (DST) UTC | Winter Time (Standard) UTC |
Sydney | 21:00 – 06:00 | 22:00 – 07:00 |
Tokyo | 23:00 – 08:00 | 00:00 – 09:00 |
London | 07:00 – 16:00 | 08:00 – 17:00 |
New York | 12:00 – 21:00 | 13:00 – 22:00 |
Overview of Forex Market Trading Sessions
The Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York sessions each have distinct characteristics regarding trading volume, price volatility, active currency pairs, and response to economic news.
Oceanian Session (Sydney)
The Sydney session kicks off the Forex trading week, starting at 22:00 UTC. Although liquidity is relatively low, this session is suitable for scalping strategies and traders who prefer low-risk approaches.
Asian Session (Tokyo)
The Tokyo session is the second phase in the Forex market time cycle, beginning as the Sydney session ends.
Influenced by Asian economies—particularly Japan, China, and Australia—this session typically features moderate and steady volatility.
European Session (London)
The London session is the third and most liquid part of the Forex market hours. It accounts for over 35% of daily trading volume, supported by the participation of banks, financial institutions, and professionaltraders.
The overlap with the New York session makes it the peak period for both volatility and liquidity.
American Session (New York)
The New York session is the final segment of the daily Forex cycle and is heavily influenced by U.S. economic data such as NFP, CPI, and interest rate decisions.
The session typically opens with high volatility, especially during its overlap with the London session, which marks the day’s highest trading volume. However, volatility tends to drop in the final hours.
To visualize session timings directly on charts, traders can use the Session Box Indicator developed by TradingFinder:
Overlap of Trading Sessions and Increased Market Volatility
In the Forex market time, the simultaneous activity of two sessions creates what’s known as an Overlap.
During this period, liquidity increases, spreads tighten, and price volatility rises, offering excellent opportunities for short-term trades and scalping.
Overlap Session | Time (UTC) | Features |
London – New York | 13:00 – 17:00 | Highest daily volatility, maximum trading volume, reaction to economic news |
Tokyo – London | 08:00 – 09:00 | Moderate volatility, early trend formation |
Sydney – Tokyo | 00:00 – 07:00 | Low volatility, suitable for Asian currency scalping |
London–New York Overlap
The London–New York overlap is the most significant and active time frame during Forex market hours.
The simultaneous presence of both European and American institutions greatly enhances liquidity and volatility.
During this period, the highest number of traders, banks, and financial entities are active at the same time.
Tokyo–London Overlap
The Tokyo–London overlap is short but impactful, occurring from 08:00 to 09:00 UTC. It marks the transition from Asian to European market activity and often features initial movements in major currency pairs.
Best Time to Trade in the Forex Market
The best time to trade Forex is when liquidity is high, and meaningful price fluctuations occur. This ideal condition typically exists during the London–New York overlap, between 13:00 and 17:00 UTC.
During this time, spreads narrow, order execution is more precise, and more trading opportunities emerge.
Key Tips for Managing Time in the Forex Market
Time management in Forex distinguishes between impulsive trading and precise strategies, forming the foundation of a profitable and consistent trading system.
Here are some essential professional tips for effectively managing the Forex market time:
- Understand the four main trading sessions;
- Monitor session overlaps (Overlap);
- Account for Daylight Saving Time (DST) adjustments;
- Avoid low-volatility hours;
- Align trading times with your strategy style;
- Track economic news using an accurate calendar.
Conclusion
With its 24-hour structure, the Forex market enables traders to operate at any time of the day.
By analyzing the global session schedules, factoring in seasonal DST changes, and reviewing overlap periods, one can identify the most optimal trading times.
