The forex market operates on a fixed schedule based on time zones, and you can determine whether it is open by checking the current time against the market's trading hours.

The forex market runs 24 hours a day, five days a week — but not all at once. Instead, it moves through four main trading sessions as the business day rolls across the globe: the Sydney session, the Tokyo session, the London session, and the New York session. At any given moment, at least one of these sessions is active, which means currency pairs are trading. The market closes entirely on weekends and on certain holidays observed by the major financial centers.

To know whether the market is open right now, you need to know what time it is in one of the four major financial centers and match that time to the session schedule. The market opens and closes at specific times in each zone, and those times do not change for daylight saving time on the same day across all regions — which means the overlap periods shift slightly twice a year.

Key Takeaways

  • The forex market is open during the Sydney session (Sunday 5 p.m. to Monday 2 a.m. ET), Tokyo session (Monday 7 p.m. to Tuesday 4 a.m. ET), London session (Monday 3 a.m. to noon ET), and New York session (Monday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET).
  • The market is closed on weekends after Friday 5 p.m. ET and does not reopen until Sunday 5 p.m. ET.
  • Major holidays in New York, London, Tokyo, or Sydney will close the market even if other sessions would normally be trading.
  • Overlap periods — when two sessions run at the same time — see higher trading volume and tighter spreads on most currency pairs.
  • Your broker's platform will show you the current session and time in the relevant zone, so you do not have to calculate it yourself.

The Four Trading Sessions and Their Hours

The Sydney session runs from 5 p.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday Eastern Time. This is the first session to open each week and typically sees lower volume than the other three. Currency pairs involving the Australian dollar and New Zealand dollar are most active during this window.

The Tokyo session opens at 7 p.m. Sunday ET and closes at 4 a.m. Monday ET. It overlaps with the last hour of Sydney and is the main session for pairs involving the Japanese yen. Volume picks up here, especially for USD/JPY and other yen crosses.

The London session runs from 3 a.m. to noon ET. This is the largest and most liquid session by volume. It overlaps with Tokyo for the first hour and with New York for the last hour, and those overlap periods are when spreads tighten and volatility often increases.

The New York session opens at 8 a.m. ET and closes at 5 p.m. ET. It is the second-largest session and sees the most volume in major pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD. After 5 p.m. ET on Friday, the market does not reopen until 5 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Weekend and Holiday Closures

The forex market closes entirely after the New York session ends on Friday at 5 p.m. ET. It remains closed through the weekend and does not reopen until the Sydney session begins on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET. This is a hard stop — no major currency pairs trade during this window, and no broker will execute forex trades for you.

In addition to weekends, the market closes on major holidays observed by the financial centers. The most common closures happen on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Some brokers also close on Independence Day (July 4) and Thanksgiving (U.S.), though this varies. If a holiday falls on a weekend, the market may close on the following Monday instead.

Check your broker's holiday calendar before planning a trade around a holiday. Some brokers post this information on their website; others list it in the platform itself. If you are unsure, contact them directly — a closure you do not expect can leave you unable to exit a position when you need to.

How to Check Your Broker's Platform

Most forex brokers display the current session and time in the trading platform itself. Look for a clock or session indicator, usually near the top of the chart or in a separate market information panel. This removes the need to calculate time zones yourself — the platform already knows what time it is in London, Tokyo, Sydney, and New York.

If your platform does not show this clearly, you can also check the market depth or order book. If you see active bids and asks on major pairs, the market is open. If the last trade was hours ago and the spread is very wide, the market is likely closed or in a low-volume session.

Some brokers also send notifications when a session opens or closes, or when major economic news is about to be released. These alerts can help you stay aware of market hours without checking manually each time.

Daylight Saving Time and Session Hours

Daylight saving time shifts happen on different dates in the United States, Europe, and Asia, which means the overlap periods between sessions change twice a year. When the U.S. switches to daylight saving time but Europe has not yet, the New York session starts one hour earlier relative to London time. When Europe switches but Asia has not, the London and Tokyo overlap shifts.

These shifts are small — usually one hour — but they matter if you trade during overlap periods and rely on specific timing. Your broker's platform will reflect these changes automatically, but if you are tracking session times manually, mark the daylight saving dates on your calendar and adjust your times accordingly.

Why Session Hours Matter for Your Trading

Different sessions have different characteristics. The Sydney and Tokyo sessions tend to be quieter, with wider spreads and lower volume. The London session is the most liquid, and the New York session is the second-most liquid. If you trade major pairs, you will see tighter spreads and faster execution during London and New York hours.

Overlap periods — especially the London-New York overlap from 8 a.m. to noon ET — see the highest volume and the tightest spreads. If you are a scalper or day trader, these windows are often the most profitable. If you are a swing trader or position trader, session hours matter less, but you still need to know whether the market is open before you try to place an order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade forex on Saturday or Sunday?

No. The forex market closes after Friday 5 p.m. ET and does not reopen until Sunday 5 p.m. ET. Some brokers offer trading on cryptocurrencies or other instruments on weekends, but the traditional forex market is closed. If you try to place a forex trade during the weekend, your broker will reject it or hold it until the market reopens.

What time does the forex market open on Monday?

The forex market opens on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET with the Sydney session. If you are in a different time zone, convert 5 p.m. ET to your local time. The New York session, which most U.S. traders think of as the "main" session, opens on Monday at 8 a.m. ET.

Does the forex market close for holidays?

Yes. The market closes on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Some brokers also close on Independence Day and Thanksgiving. Check your broker's holiday calendar to see which days they observe. If a holiday falls on a weekend, the closure may shift to the following Monday.

Why do spreads get tighter during overlap periods?

Overlap periods have more traders and more volume, which increases competition among market makers and brokers. More competition means tighter spreads. The London-New York overlap (8 a.m. to noon ET) is the tightest because it combines the two largest sessions.

What happens if I have an open trade when the market closes?

Your position stays open. The market will reopen at the next session, and your trade will resume. However, the price may gap — jump to a different level — when the market reopens, especially if major news was released while the market was closed. This is why some traders close positions before the weekend or major holidays.