Forex trading sessions
When the market is most active, why session overlaps matter, and how to choose your trading hours.
Four overlapping sessions
The forex market follows the sun from Sydney to Tokyo, London and New York. Liquidity and volatility rise and fall as each financial centre opens and closes. Approximate hours in GMT:
- Sydney: around 22:00 – 07:00
- Tokyo: around 00:00 – 09:00
- London: around 08:00 – 17:00
- New York: around 13:00 – 22:00
Why overlaps matter
The London–New York overlap, roughly 13:00 – 17:00 GMT (about 17:00 – 21:00 in Dubai), is usually the most active window of the day, with the tightest spreads on major pairs.
The Asian session is typically quieter for EUR/USD but more active for yen and Australian dollar pairs. Session times shift by an hour when daylight saving changes in Europe and the US.
Choosing your hours
Pick a session that fits your life and suits the pairs you trade. Trading the same window consistently teaches you how your market behaves — far more valuable than watching screens all day.
Educational content only — not financial, investment or trading advice. Trading forex, CFDs, crypto and other leveraged products carries a high risk of loss and may not be suitable for everyone. Past performance does not guarantee future results.