Understanding the forex trading days in a week is essential for timing entries, planning strategies, and avoiding low-liquidity periods. Unlike the stock market, forex operates across global financial hubs, making it accessible nearly 24 hours a day — but not every day of the week.

Key Takeaways

• The forex market is open 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday.
• It opens on Sunday evening (GMT) and closes late Friday night.
• Weekends are non-trading days due to bank closures worldwide.
• Different trading sessions (Sydney, Tokyo, London, New York) create daily volatility waves.
• Strategy timing and liquidity vary by day of the week.

How Many Days A Week Can You Trade Forex?

Forex trading is active Monday to Friday, offering 5 full trading days. The market:

• Opens Sunday at 10 PM GMT (Monday morning in Sydney)
• Closes Friday at 10 PM GMT (end of New York session)

This results in a continuous 120-hour trading window across the five-day workweek.

Breakdown of Forex Trading Week

Monday

• Starts slow due to Asia session and weekend gap.
• Best for planning, not major trades.

Tuesday to Thursday

• Peak trading days.
• Strong liquidity and volatility during London and New York overlaps.
• Ideal for intraday and swing strategies.

Friday

• Active early, but market slows after New York lunch.
• Many traders close positions before the weekend.
• Volatility can spike due to economic reports like NFP (Non-Farm Payrolls).

Saturday and Sunday

• Closed — no trading.
• Brokers may allow chart analysis, but no orders are executed.
• Some news events over weekends can lead to gap openings on Sunday night.

Best Day to Trade Forex

Most traders consider Wednesday and Thursday the most profitable due to:

• Strong market volume
• Overlap between major sessions
• Trend continuation or reversals from earlier in the week

Real-World Case Study: Weekly Planning Strategy

Amir, a part-time trader from Lagos, uses Monday to prepare his weekly plan by identifying zones, reviewing the economic calendar, and checking sentiment reports. He executes most trades Tuesday to Thursday during the London–New York overlap. By Friday morning, he scales out of trades to avoid weekend exposure. This structured routine has improved his win rate and reduced emotional decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade forex on weekends?

No. The forex market is closed from Friday 10 PM GMT to Sunday 10 PM GMT due to global banking system inactivity.

Is Monday a good day to trade forex?

It can be slow due to low volume. Use it for planning, not heavy trading.

Which are the best days for forex trading?

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday offer the best liquidity and movement.

Why is the forex market closed on weekends?

Forex relies on global banks for liquidity, and these institutions are closed on weekends.

Do different brokers have different trading times?

Some brokers may open a few minutes earlier or later, but global market hours remain consistent.