At a glance (UK time)
- Opens: Sunday ≈ 22:00
- Closes: Friday ≈ 22:00
- Busiest: London–New York overlap, ≈ 13:00–17:00
- Quietest: around the daily rollover ≈ 22:00–23:00
The four main sessions in UK time
Approximate times when the UK is on British Summer Time (BST). Times are broadly the same in UK winter (GMT) because most centres also change their clocks — see the daylight-saving notes below.
| Session | Approx. UK time | Most active pairs |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 22:00 – 07:00 | AUD/USD, NZD/USD |
| Tokyo | 00:00 – 09:00 | USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, AUD/JPY |
| London | 08:00 – 17:00 | GBP/USD, EUR/USD, EUR/GBP |
| New York | 13:00 – 22:00 | EUR/USD, USD/CAD, GBP/USD |
Why the London session matters
London is the world's largest forex trading centre, and the London session typically accounts for the biggest share of daily volume. For UK traders that's convenient: the most liquid hours fall in the normal working day. Spreads on major pairs are usually at their tightest between about 08:00 and 17:00.
Session overlaps
- London–New York (≈ 13:00–17:00): the most liquid window of the day, with major US data releases at 13:30 or 15:00 UK time.
- Tokyo–London (≈ 08:00–09:00): a shorter overlap that can bring early moves in JPY and EUR pairs.
Daylight saving time
The UK and US change their clocks on different dates. The US moves its clocks on the second Sunday of March and the first Sunday of November; the UK on the last Sundays of March and October. For a few weeks each spring and autumn, New York session times shift by an hour relative to the UK — so US data and the Friday close happen an hour earlier in UK time.
When to avoid trading
- Daily rollover (≈ 22:00 UK): spreads can widen sharply.
- Sunday open: prices can gap from Friday's close.
- Just before major news: spreads widen and slippage increases.
- Holidays: Christmas, New Year and US holidays bring thin liquidity.
Key UK and US release times
| Release | Usual UK time |
|---|---|
| UK inflation (CPI), GDP, jobs data | 07:00 |
| Bank of England rate decision | 12:00 on MPC days |
| US jobs report (non-farm payrolls) | 13:30 (first Friday of the month, usually) |
| US Federal Reserve decision | 19:00 |
Times shift by an hour during the daylight-saving mismatch weeks. Always check an economic calendar.
Best hours by currency pair (UK time)
| Pair | Most active | Why |
|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | 08:00–17:00, especially 13:00–17:00 | London session plus the New York overlap |
| EUR/GBP | 08:00–12:00 | Both currencies' home markets are open |
| EUR/USD | 08:00–17:00 | The world's most traded pair, deepest liquidity in the overlap |
| USD/JPY | 00:00–09:00 and 13:00–17:00 | Tokyo session and the New York open |
| AUD/USD | 22:00–07:00 | Sydney session and Australian data releases |
| GBP/JPY | 07:00–10:00 | Tokyo–London overlap; often volatile |
Weekend gaps
The market closes on Friday evening and reopens on Sunday evening UK time. News over the weekend — elections, central bank comments, geopolitical events — can make Sunday's opening price differ sharply from Friday's close. Stop-loss orders can't protect you at the price you set if the market opens beyond it; the order fills at the first available price. Some traders close positions before the weekend, or use guaranteed stops where available.
Volatility through a typical UK day
- 07:00–08:00: UK data releases and the run-up to the London open; spreads start to tighten.
- 08:00–10:00: London open — often the first big move of the day.
- 12:00–13:00: lunchtime lull in London.
- 13:30–16:00: US data and the New York open; the most active window.
- 16:00 (London time): the WM/Reuters benchmark "fix", which can cause short bursts of volume.
- After 17:00: activity fades through the New York afternoon.
- 22:00: daily rollover; spreads widen and financing is applied.
Planning your trading around your schedule
If you work 9 to 5, the early evening (17:00–20:00) still offers New York liquidity on dollar pairs, while early mornings (06:00–08:00) let you prepare before London opens. Trading late at night in the Asian session is possible, but spreads on GBP and EUR pairs tend to be wider and moves smaller.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the forex market open in the UK?
The market opens on Sunday evening at around 22:00 UK time, when trading begins in Sydney and Wellington.
What time does the forex market close on Friday?
Around 22:00 UK time on Friday, when New York trading ends. Individual brokers may close a few minutes earlier.
What is the best time to trade GBP/USD?
Liquidity and volatility are usually highest when the London and New York sessions overlap, roughly 13:00–17:00 UK time.
Is the forex market open on bank holidays?
The global market stays open, but liquidity can be thinner on UK or US holidays, and some brokers adjust hours for certain instruments.
What time does the forex market open today in the UK?
On weekdays the market is open 24 hours. The week opens on Sunday at around 22:00 UK time; the London session starts at 08:00 UK time each trading day.
CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading these products. You should consider whether you understand how they work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Content is general information, not financial or tax advice.