ICT Kill Zone Times (Asia, London, New York, and London Close)GMT,UTC,EST

ICT Kill Zones are critical windows for intraday traders. During these times, major market sessions overlap, increasing volatility and creating high-probability trading setups. For scalpers, these sessions offer opportunities to capture quick moves of 15 to 30 pips on major currency pairs.

Trading during ICT Kill Zones gives you a significant edge. You can enhance your strategy even further by combining Kill Zone timing with ICT’s Power of Three and liquidity concepts, allowing for smarter entries, exits, and overall trade management.

What is ICT Kill Zone In Forex Trading?

ICT Killzone’s are strategic time windows during major trading sessions—Asia, London, New York, and the London Close—identified by the Inner Circle Trader (ICT) as periods of heightened market activity. These sessions, known as ICT Killzone Times, offer traders opportunities to capitalize on increased volatility and trading volume.

What are the ICT kill zones times?

ICT Kill Zones refer to specific periods of peak trading activity during each major trading session — including the Asian, London, New York, and London Close sessions.

Kill Zone	GMT	EST (UTC-5)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Asian Kill Zone	00:00 – 03:00	19:00 – 22:00 (prev day)	20:00 – 23:00 (prev day)
London Kill Zone	07:00 – 10:00	02:00 – 05:00	03:00 – 06:00
New York Kill Zone	12:00 – 15:00	07:00 – 10:00	08:00 – 11:00
London Close Kill Zone	15:00 – 17:00	10:00 – 12:00	11:00 – 13:00

The table above outlines the ICT Kill Zone, times which are specific windows of peak trading activity identified by the Inner Circle Trader (ICT) methodology. These time windows represent periods when institutional traders are most active, offering higher liquidity and more significant price movements.

Each kill zone corresponds to a major financial market session:

• Asian Kill Zone aligns with the Tokyo and Sydney markets.
• London Kill Zone marks the opening of the European session, often leading to increased volatility.
• New York Kill Zone occurs during the overlap of the London and New York sessions — one of the most volatile and liquid periods of the trading day.
• London Close Kill Zone highlights the final movements of the London session as traders close positions, creating potential reversals or breakouts.

What is the ICT Asian Kill Zone?

The Asian Kill Zone, refers to a specific time window in the forex market that spans the early hours of the Asian trading session. It typically runs from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST, capturing the most active period for currencies linked to the Asia-Pacific region, such as the Australian Dollar (AUD), New Zealand Dollar (NZD), and Japanese Yen (JPY).

Which are the best currency pairs to trade during the Asian Kill Zone?

The best currency pairs to trade during the Asian Kill Zone are those connected to the Asia-Pacific region, as they are the most active and liquid during this time. As a result, it is ideal for trading pairs involving the Japanese Yen (JPY), Australian Dollar (AUD), and New Zealand Dollar (NZD).

• Focus on NZD, JPY, and AUD pairs for low-risk trades.
• Observe Optimal Trade Entry (OTE) patterns for 15-20 pip scalps.
• Leverage short-term retracements and consolidation patterns for daily range setups.

2. ICT London Killzone

The London Killzone occurs from 2 AM to 5 AM EST (7:00 AM to 10:00 AM GMT/UTC). As the European market opens, it offers high liquidity and volatility, particularly for GBP/USD, EUR/USD, and GBP/JPY pairs.

• Key Characteristics:
  • Overlaps with Asian closing and New York opening sessions.
  • Perfect for scalping and swing trading due to larger price swings.
  • Volatility increases with European economic news, making this period ideal for Forex Killzone Times traders.

3. ICT New York Killzone

Running from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM EST (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM GMT/UTC), the ICT New York Killzone Time is a hotspot for trading USD-related pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and XAU/USD.

• Key Characteristics:
  • Aligns with the New York Stock Exchange opening, boosting volatility.
  • Offers quick scalp setups for 20-30 pips.
  • Ideal for high-probability trades during peak market activity.

4. ICT London Close Killzone

The London Close Killzone spans from 4 PM to 4:30 PM GMT (11:00 AM to 11:30 AM EST). This short but intense period sees rapid price fluctuations as positions are adjusted at the London Stock Exchange closing.

• Key Characteristics:
  • High volatility and increased risk.
  • Significant opportunities for experienced traders with robust risk management.

Using ICT Killzones for Trading Strategies

1. Manual Marking on Trading Platforms:
   • Use vertical lines or shaded boxes to highlight ICT Killzone Times GMT, ensuring your charts align with session times.
2. Custom Indicators:
   • Tools like “ICT Killzones” indicators on TradingView automate the marking of these periods, simplifying analysis.
3. Swing and Day Trading Applications:
   • While ICT Killzones Times are primarily for intraday setups, swing traders can align executions with these windows to maximize market liquidity and volatility.

Kill Zone Trading Strategy Key Component

ICT Killzone time is crucial for spotting intraday trading opportunities. To make the most of it, combine higher time frame confluence, market structure shifts, and fair value gaps—the three essential components for effective trading during these high-volatility periods.

Key Takeaways

The ICT Killzones offer unparalleled opportunities for traders to capitalize on market volatility during high-activity periods. By mastering ICT Session Times and focusing on optimal trade setups, traders can enhance their profitability. Understanding the significance of these sessions, especially in relation to pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD, is essential for leveraging the ICT Killzone Times effectively.