Forex trading hours define when traders around the world can buy and sell currencies in the global foreign exchange market. Unlike traditional stock markets, the forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week — providing continuous opportunities across various time zones. Understanding these trading sessions is crucial for timing entries, avoiding low-liquidity periods, and taking advantage of market volatility.

What Are Forex Trading Hours?

The forex market operates from Sunday 10:00 PM GMT to Friday 10:00 PM GMT. It comprises four major trading sessions — Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York — which overlap at certain times, leading to increased activity and liquidity.

Key Takeaways

• The forex market is open 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday.
• Major sessions include Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York.
• Highest volatility occurs during session overlaps (e.g., London-New York).
• Different currency pairs are most active during their regional sessions.
• Timing your trades according to session liquidity can improve results.

Major Forex Trading Sessions

Session	GMT Time	Key Currencies	Characteristics
Sydney	10:00 PM – 7:00 AM	AUD, NZD	Lower volatility, starts weekly cycle
Tokyo (Asia)	12:00 AM – 9:00 AM	JPY, AUD	Liquidity picks up, news-driven moves
London (Europe)	8:00 AM – 5:00 PM	GBP, EUR, CHF	Most liquid session, major market moves
New York (US)	1:00 PM – 10:00 PM	USD, CAD	High volatility, overlaps with London

Session Overlaps and Market Activity

The most profitable periods often occur during overlaps, especially between:

London and New York (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM GMT)

• Most volatile time of day.
• High trading volumes in USD, EUR, GBP.

Tokyo and London (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM GMT)

• Transitional phase, less liquidity.

Sydney and Tokyo (12:00 AM – 7:00 AM GMT)

• Active for AUD/JPY, NZD/JPY, AUD/USD.

Fundamental vs Technical Timing Strategy

Strategy Type	Best Sessions	Reasons
News/Fundamental	London & New York	Data releases, central bank news
Scalping/Short-term	Session overlaps	High volatility and tight spreads
Swing Trading	London, New York	Clear market trends and longer candles
Asian Range Trading	Sydney, Tokyo	Consolidation ranges ideal for range plays

Case Study: Timing for Performance

Jake, a trader in Birmingham, focuses on GBP/USD and trades during the London session. He uses a news calendar to anticipate UK data releases and opens positions between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM GMT. His trades align with peak liquidity and volatility. By avoiding the late US session, Jake sidesteps whipsaw moves and maintains a consistent risk-to-reward profile — achieving a 58% win rate with an average 1.7:1 reward-to-risk ratio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is forex trading open on weekends?
No. The forex market closes Friday 10:00 PM GMT and reopens Sunday 10:00 PM GMT.

When is the best time to trade forex?
The London-New York overlap (1:00–5:00 PM GMT) is the most liquid and volatile, ideal for most strategies.

Are all currency pairs active 24/5?
Yes, but not equally. Currency pairs are most active during their respective regional sessions.

When is the worst time to trade forex?
During session handovers like 9:00 PM–10:00 PM GMT, liquidity is low and spreads widen.

Can I make money trading during the Asian session?
Yes, especially with range-bound strategies or trading JPY and AUD pairs.

Conclusion

Forex trading hours offer round-the-clock access to global currency markets, but not all hours are equal. By aligning your strategy with the most active sessions and avoiding low-liquidity periods, you improve your trade execution and performance. To master the timing of your trades and capitalise on volatility, consider joining our CPD Accredited Trading Courses.