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.

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).

Key Characteristics of Asian Killzone Time

• Low volatility: Price tends to consolidate or range — excellent for establishing daily highs and lows
• Liquidity trap setups: Institutional traders often set up stop hunts before major trading sessions
• Market structure development: Frequently establishes support/resistance zones that influence London/NY trades
• Slower price movement: Ideal for precision entries but requires patience
• Higher spread risk: Some brokers widen spreads due to thin liquidity — traders should exercise caution.

Average Pip Movement During Asian Killzone

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.

What is ICT London Killzone Time?

The London Killzone Time is a crucial concept in the ICT (Inner Circle Trader) methodology, referring to the period between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM EST when the London forex market opens. This time window is considered strategically significant as it often features increased volatility, liquidity surges, and price action that institutional traders (“smart money”) use to execute their trading strategies.

London Killzone Time Across Global Regions

Most Active Currency Pairs During London Killzone

• EUR/USD – The world’s most traded pair sees significant movement as European traders enter the market
• GBP/USD – “Cable” experiences heightened volatility during this period due to UK economic data releases
• EUR/GBP – This cross pair often exhibits strong directional moves during London open
• GBP/JPY – Known for its volatility, this pair can make substantial moves during London Killzone
• USD/CHF – The “Swissy” frequently shows notable price action as European markets open

Note: EUR and GBP pairs are particularly active during this session as European economic data and central bank announcements often occur during these hours.

Key Characteristics of London Killzone Time

• Market volatility spike: Price often makes sharp directional moves after the Asian range
• Stop hunts and liquidity runs: Smart money frequently targets areas of concentrated stop orders
• Order block formation: Creates significant supply and demand zones that influence later trading
• Technical breakouts: Asian session ranges often break during this period
• Volume surge: Sharp increase in trading volume as European institutional traders enter the market
• Manipulation tactics: Price often makes false moves before establishing the true daily direction

London Killzone Trading Strategy

The ICT London Killzone strategy typically incorporates these key elements:

1. Pre-London analysis: Identifying key levels established during Asian session
2. Liquidity zones: Mapping areas where stop orders are likely concentrated
3. Order blocks: Identifying institutional buying/selling areas for potential reversals
4. Market structure: Analyzing higher timeframe bias before London open
5. Volume profile: Monitoring unusual volume patterns during initial London hours
6. Smart money concepts: Applying institutional trade flow concepts like breaker blocks and fair value gaps

Average Pip Movements During London Killzone

The London Killzone typically produces larger price movements than the Asian session, making it attractive for day traders and scalpers:

What is ICT New York Killzone Time?

The New York Killzone Time is a key concept in the ICT (Inner Circle Trader) trading methodology. It refers to the critical period between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM EST, marking the opening hours of the New York forex market. This window is strategically vital because it is the most liquid trading session globally, with substantial institutional participation and heightened volatility. Traders who understand the movements of smart money during this period can find prime trading opportunities.

New York Killzone Time Across Global Regions

Most Active Currency Pairs During New York Killzone

• EUR/USD — highest liquidity and strong moves during US economic data releases
• USD/JPY — active due to overlap between US and Japanese markets
• GBP/USD — volatile during London/New York session overlap
• USD/CAD — influenced by North American economic ties and data
• USD/CHF — responds strongly to US and European market news
• Gold (XAU/USD) — significant movement despite being a commodity

Note: The London-New York overlap (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST) is the most liquid and volatile trading period worldwide, offering the best trading opportunities.

Key Characteristics of New York Killzone Time

During the New York Killzone, the market is at its busiest, with more buyers and sellers trading at the same time than at any other point in the day, making it easy to enter or exit positions when you need to. Major institutions such as banks and hedge funds often choose this period to open or close large trades, which can send prices moving quickly in one direction or another. When important U.S. economic data is released, you’ll frequently see sudden spikes in volatility, as traders react to the news.

This session also serves as a test of the London session’s trend: if the price direction from London continues, the New York move will reinforce it, but if it reverses, you’ll often see a strong intraday change in direction. Sharp moves that trigger stop-loss orders—known as “stop runs”—are common, as smarter traders chase liquidity pools before launching the actual trend. You’ll also notice the appearance of large “blocks” of orders placed by institutions; these order blocks often act as magnets for price, influencing where the market turns next.

Average Pip Movements During New York Killzone

What is ICT London Close Killzone Time?

The London Close Killzone Time is a pivotal concept in the ICT (Inner Circle Trader) methodology, referring to the period between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM EST (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM GMT/BST). This time window coincides with the closing hours of the London forex market and represents a significant transition as European traders exit positions and liquidity begins to shift exclusively to New York. This period is renowned for its unique price action characteristics, institutional maneuvers, and high-probability trading opportunities.

London Close Killzone Time Across Global Regions

Most Active Currency Pairs During London Close Killzone

• EUR/USD – Often exhibits strong directional moves as European banks square positions
• GBP/USD – Frequently shows significant volatility as London traders close their day
• EUR/JPY – Can experience sharp retracements from London session trends
• GBP/JPY – Known for powerful reversals during this transition period
• USD/CAD – Often active as North American influences fully take control
• EUR/GBP – May show distinctive movements as cross-pair positions are adjusted

Note: European currency pairs (particularly EUR and GBP crosses) tend to show distinctive reversal or acceleration patterns during this period as European liquidity is withdrawn from the market.

Key Characteristics of London Close Killzone Time

• Position squaring: European traders close intraday positions, creating predictable flows
• Reversal potential: High probability of trend reversals from the London session direction
• Liquidity reduction: Declining market depth as European banks exit, creating volatility
• Stop hunting: Institutional traders often target stop-loss clusters before end-of-day
• Day’s range completion: Price often reaches the extremes of the daily range
• Volatility spike: Frequently exhibits a distinctive volatility signature as sessions transition
• End-of-day positioning: Banks establish overnight positions that influence Asian session

How Does Daylight Saving Time Affect ICT Killzones?

Daylight Saving Time (DST) affects ICT Killzones by shifting the clock forward or backward by one hour in regions that observe it. This means the start and end times of each Killzone move by one hour during DST, which usually begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November in the U.S. and many other countries.

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.