Best time to trade forex: the sessions and the overlap

What this video covers

The Sydney/Tokyo, London and New York sessions in New York time, the London–New York overlap and the BIS turnover figure behind it. Plus the hours when spreads tend to widen.

Sources and the longer explanation: What Is the Best Time to Trade Forex?.

Numbers shown on screen

• $9.6 trillion: Average daily FX turnover, April 2025

How the visuals were made

In 0:47 the video moves through 6 scenes, including a timeline: 5 p.m. – Sydney / Tokyo open; 3 a.m. – London opens; 8 a.m. – New York opens; Noon – London closes; 5 p.m. – New York closes; a checklist, “When spreads widen”; a checklist, “A quick routine”. All graphics were rendered frame by frame by UXS; no stock footage, logos or faces are used.

Chapters

• 0:00 Forex sessions: Open 24 hours. Not equally liquid
• 0:06 Sessions, New York time
• 0:16 Average daily FX turnover, April 2025
• 0:28 When spreads widen
• 0:33 A quick routine
• 0:42 Risk note

Transcript

Forex trades 24 hours a day, five days a week, but not every hour is equal.

In New York time, Sydney and Tokyo run from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m., London from 3 a.m. to noon, and New York from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The London and New York overlap, about 8 a.m. to noon, is usually the most liquid. Global turnover averaged $9.6 trillion a day in April 2025.

Spreads often widen at the weekly open, around big news, and in quiet hours.

Before trading, convert session times to your own zone, including daylight saving changes, check the calendar for big releases, and watch the live spread.

Educational only, not financial advice.