What time does forex market close today? Full guide

If you’re a trader wondering what time does forex market close today, you’re not alone. Knowing the exact closing time is crucial for managing trades, avoiding unnecessary risks, and preparing for the weekend market gap. This guide will break down today’s forex market close in both Eastern Time (ET) and local equivalents, helping you stay aligned with global trading hours.

Key takeaways:

The forex market officially closes at 5:00 p.m. ET on Fridays and reopens on Sundays at the same time.
Closing times vary worldwide depending on time zones and DST adjustments.
The 5:00 p.m. New York close is the global standard for swaps, rollovers, and broker operations.
There is no daily close, but low-liquidity lulls occur, especially between New York and Tokyo sessions.
Trading sessions (Sydney, Tokyo, London, New York) and overlaps determine the best liquidity windows.
Holidays, DST shifts, and broker-specific schedules can affect trading availability.
Optimal trading times: London–New York overlap; times to avoid: late Friday and early Sunday.

Table of Contents

1. What time does forex market close today?

Today, the forex market closes at 5:00 p.m. Since it is Friday, this marks the end of the trading week, with the market resuming again on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Keep in mind that the forex market operates 24 hours a day during weekdays, so outside these weekend breaks, trading is essentially continuous. However, liquidity can vary, especially near closing times, and broker-specific practices might influence trading availability during rollover periods or maintenance windows.

2. How does the forex market schedule work?

2.1. Overview of 24/5 spot forex trading

The spot forex market is unique because it operates continuously for five days a week—opening Sunday afternoon and closing Friday afternoon (in ET). This non-stop schedule supports global currency trading across time zones and trading hubs.

2.2. Weekly close and reopen times (Friday & sunday)

Forex officially closes on Fridays at 5:00 p.m. ET (New York time).
The market reopens on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ET, marking the start of the new trading week.
Between Friday close and Sunday open, the market is closed, providing a brief pause in global FX activity.

2.3. Local time conversion and DST adjustments

Forex closing times vary by location and depend on Daylight Saving Time (DST) shifts. Below is a table illustrating the Friday 5:00 p.m. ET close converted to several major zones:

Time zone	Standard time (EST)	Daylight time (EDT)
Eastern Time (ET)	5:00 p.m.	5:00 p.m.
Pacific Time (PT)	2:00 p.m.	2:00 p.m.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)	10:00 p.m.	9:00 p.m.
Indian Standard Time (IST)	3:30 a.m. (next day)	2:30 a.m. (next day)
Japan Standard Time (JST)	7:00 a.m. (next day)	6:00 a.m. (next day)
Singapore Time (SGT)	10:00 p.m.	9:00 p.m.
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)	11:00 a.m. (next day)	10:00 a.m. (next day)

These conversions emphasize the importance of understanding your local time and DST status in relation to the New York close.

3. Why 5:00 p.m. New York time defines forex close

Understanding what time does forex market close today comes down to the global standard set by New York’s 5:00 p.m. cutoff. This moment is more than just a market pause—it defines the official end of the trading day, resets positions for swaps and rollovers, and directly impacts broker operations worldwide.

3.1. The global standard and rollover

5:00 p.m. ET is recognized worldwide as the definitive close for spot forex markets. This time establishes the boundary between trading days, allowing for the calculation of swap rates (rollovers) and marking the transition of open positions to the next trading day. It’s the moment when the “day” officially ends in the OTC FX market.

3.2. How 5:00 p.m. ET affects spreads, swaps, and broker operations

Brokers typically apply swap/rollover fees based on positions held at or after 5:00 p.m. ET.
Spreads may widen around this time due to reduced liquidity as traders prepare for the weekend.
Some brokers perform maintenance or halt trading briefly during rollover to manage pricing.

Because of its importance, many retail broker platforms synchronize operations to this New York close, making it a pivotal time for forex traders globally.

4. Is there a daily forex close or just low-liquidity periods?

Many traders asking what time does forex market close today are surprised to learn that there isn’t a true daily close. Instead, forex runs continuously from Monday to Friday, with only certain low-liquidity periods that feel like a “pause.” These session lulls can affect spreads, execution speed, and overall trading conditions.

4.1. Understanding 24-hour trading and session lulls

The spot forex market does not have a daily official close—it operates non-stop throughout the five business days. However, liquidity fluctuates, creating ‘lulls’ during certain low-activity periods, notably after the New York session closes and before the Tokyo session opens.

4.2. When are spreads and execution worst?

The liquidity dip usually happens between approximately 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET, coinciding with major market transitions.
During lulls, spreads tend to widen, slippage increases, and order execution can slow or even pause temporarily.
Traders are advised to be cautious during this window to avoid adverse price movements.

Recognizing these periods helps traders anticipate risk and adjust strategies accordingly.

5. What are the main global forex sessions and their influence?

When exploring what time does forex market close today, it’s equally important to understand how global trading sessions shape market behavior. The Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York sessions each bring unique levels of activity, with overlaps creating the highest liquidity and best trading opportunities.

5.1. Major sessions (Sydney, Tokyo, London, New York) explained

The forex market is commonly divided into four primary trading sessions, each influenced by their key financial centers:

Sydney Session: Opens the trading day with moderate volatility.
Tokyo Session: Significant activity in Asian currencies.
London Session: The busiest, producing high volatility and liquidity.
New York Session: Overlaps with London, contributing to the highest volume.

5.2. Session overlaps: When is liquidity highest?

Liquidity and volatility peak during session overlaps, especially:

London-New York overlap: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET — Highest liquidity and tightest spreads.
Tokyo-London overlap: 3:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. ET — Moderate activity.

6. Do holidays or special events change when forex closes?

For traders asking what time does forex market close today, it’s essential to note that holidays and special events can temporarily change market dynamics. While forex itself stays open 24/5, liquidity often drops, spreads widen, and broker-specific adjustments may influence trading conditions during these periods.

Read more: Which forex news event have the largest moves? Top list

6.1. How holidays impact forex and related markets

Forex predominantly remains open 24/5; however, liquidity typically decreases on major public holidays like Christmas or New Year.
Major financial centers’ holidays (e.g., U.S. Thanksgiving, London Bank Holiday) can lead to reduced trading volume and wider spreads.
Some brokers may halt or restrict trading during these holidays, so always check broker announcements.

6.2. Daylight saving time shifts: What to watch for

DST starts and ends on different dates globally, temporarily shifting session overlaps and local close/open times. For example, when the U.S. shifts clocks earlier than Europe, there is a one-week period when forex close times differ more from European hours.

Merchants and traders should consult updated calendars and broker communications to adapt to these time shifts effectively.

7. What about broker and instrument-specific closing times?

7.1. Broker maintenance and rollover pauses

Many forex brokers implement brief pauses or maintenance windows around the 5:00 p.m. ET rollover to process swaps and reset daily limits. The duration and exact timing can vary, so traders should check their broker’s specific schedule.

7.2. Instruments with different trading hours (CFDs, metals, crypto, futures)

CFDs and metals can have different trading sessions and holiday closures.
Some crypto FX pairs trade 24/7, unaffected by traditional forex weekend closures.
Futures contracts often follow the exchange hours of their respective platforms, which might be limited compared to spot forex.

Always review your trading instruments’ operational hours to avoid unexpected market closures.

8. How to convert at 5 p.m. ET close to your local time (2025 schedule)

8.1. Quick converter table for major time zones

Time Zone	Friday 5:00 p.m. ET Close	Sunday 5:00 p.m. ET Open
Pacific Time (PT)	2:00 p.m. Friday	2:00 p.m. Sunday
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)	10:00 p.m. Friday	10:00 p.m. Sunday
Indian Standard Time (IST)	3:30 a.m. Saturday	3:30 a.m. Monday
Japan Standard Time (JST)	7:00 a.m. Saturday	7:00 a.m. Monday
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)	11:00 a.m. Saturday	11:00 a.m. Monday

8.2. DST-Aware example scenarios

During DST periods, for example, New York may observe daylight saving while London hasn’t yet changed clocks, causing discrepancies in local close times for about a week. This makes checking updated timezone converters or broker notifications essential in planning your trading schedule.

9. When is the best time to trade forex—and when to avoid?

9.1. High-liquidity periods for optimal trading

Trade during London-New York overlap (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET)—spreads are tightest, and liquidity is highest.
Tokyo-London overlap offers moderate volume and volatility.

9.2. Times of high risk or thin liquidity

Avoid trading late Friday after 4:30 p.m. ET when liquidity thins before the weekend close.
Early Sunday open can also have wider spreads and sudden price moves as markets reopen.

9.3. The impact of news releases near close

Major economic announcements near the 5:00 p.m. ET close or open can amplify volatility and slippage risk. Risk-aware traders should consider timing their trades or using pending orders to manage exposure during these periods.

Read more:

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10. Quick FAQs about forex market closing (2025)

10.1. Does forex close every day?

No, spot forex operates 24 hours a day on weekdays without a daily close; it only pauses on weekends.

10.2. What time does forex open on sunday?

Forex reopens each Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ET, effectively starting the new trading week.

10.3. Is forex open on bank holidays?

Generally, yes. Forex runs OTC 24/5, but liquidity can drop significantly on major bank holidays.

10.4. Do crypto FX pairs trade on the weekend?

Yes, many crypto FX pairs are available 24/7, independent of traditional forex market hours.

10.5. How do DST changes affect forex close?

DST shifts temporarily alter the equivalent local closing/opening times until all regions synchronize.

11. Conclusion

Understanding what time does forex market close today allows traders to plan smarter entries and exits, minimize risks during low-liquidity periods, and make the most of overlapping sessions. For more accurate forex insights, trading strategies, and market updates, visit webtaichinh and take your trading knowledge to the next level.

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