The forex market is open nearly 24 hours a day across four major sessions — Sydney, Tokyo, London and New York. Timing your trades to these windows improves liquidity and reduces slippage. Here is the guide.
Advertisement
The Four Sessions
- Sydney: quietest; Asia-Pacific liquidity starts.
- Tokyo: JPY pairs active; moderate volatility.
- London: the largest session — tightest spreads and heaviest volume.
- New York: high volatility; overlaps London for the busiest window.
Best Times to Trade
The London–New York overlap (roughly 12:00–16:00 GMT) offers the best liquidity and clearest moves. Sessions matter more than indicators for many strategies.
Sessions by Region
Times shift with daylight saving; trading your own session's peak is often wisest for sustainable hours.
FAQ
Which forex session is most volatile?
London and the London–New York overlap usually move most.
Is it bad to trade during quiet sessions?
Yes — thin liquidity raises spreads and slippage.
Related: What/When/How to Trade and Pairs and Pips.