Timing isn’t just about when to enter a trade — it’s also about when not to. Even the best setups can fail if they show up at the wrong time.
Let’s break down the “when” of trading.
🌍 The 4 Major Forex Sessions
Sydney: 10 PM – 7 AM GMT
A quiet start; low volatilityTokyo: 12 AM – 9 AM GMT
Asian pairs like JPY move moreLondon: 8 AM – 5 PM GMT
High liquidity and volatilityNew York: 1 PM – 10 PM GMT
Major news events + US dollar volume
🔁 Best Times to Trade: Overlaps
The London–New York overlap (1 PM – 5 PM GMT) is the most volatile and liquid.
Perfect for:
Breakout strategies
Scalping
Trend trading
The Tokyo–London overlap (8 AM – 9 AM GMT) can also offer solid moves in JPY or AUD pairs.
💤 Worst Times to Trade
Avoid:
Low-volume hours (after NY closes and before Tokyo opens)
Fridays after lunch (reduced liquidity, weekend risk)
Major news releases (unless you're prepared for volatility)
🧪 Match Timing to Your Strategy
Range traders: Trade during slow hours when prices bounce between levels
Breakout traders: Trade during overlaps or right after major news
Trend followers: Look for moves during session opens and overlaps
📊 Pro Tip: Backtest by Time
If your strategy fails in the Asian session but works during London, that’s your signal to specialize.
Don’t just test your strategy — test when it works best.
📅 Bonus: Align with Your Schedule
You don’t have to trade 24/5. Find the 2–4 hours that best fit:
Your strategy
Your mental focus
Your personal life
Consistency over chaos — always.
✅ Final Tip
Don’t trade just because the market is open.
Trade when the odds (and the volume) are in your favor.