The forex market opens on Sunday at 5 p.m. Eastern Time

The forex market does not trade on a single exchange with set hours like the stock market does. Instead, it is a global network of banks, brokers, and traders spread across time zones. Trading begins each week when the Asian markets wake up on Sunday evening U.S. time — specifically at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, which is when the Tokyo market opens on Monday morning Japan time.

This Sunday evening start means that if you are on the U.S. East Coast and want to trade forex when the week begins, you can start at 5 p.m. Sunday. If you are in a different U.S. time zone, subtract or add hours accordingly: 4 p.m. Central, 3 p.m. Mountain, or 2 p.m. Pacific.

The market does not open all at once. Trading volume and liquidity build gradually as each region's business day begins. Tokyo opens first, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore a few hours later, then London in the early morning U.S. time, and finally New York. This rolling start means you can trade at 5 p.m. Sunday, but the market will be quieter than it is during the overlap when New York and London are both active.

Key Takeaways

  • Forex trading begins each week at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, when Tokyo opens on Monday morning.
  • The market opens gradually across time zones rather than all at once, so volume and price movement are lighter in the first few hours.
  • Sunday evening trading is available through most forex brokers, but spreads (the cost to trade) are often wider than during peak hours.
  • The market closes on Friday at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, so there is a two-day gap each week when no forex trading occurs.

Why Sunday evening and not earlier

Forex trades around the clock during the business week because the market follows the sun across the globe. When it is Monday morning in Tokyo, it is still Sunday evening in New York. Tokyo is the first major market to open each week, so that is when forex trading resumes.

You cannot trade forex on Saturday or Sunday morning U.S. time because no major financial center is conducting business. The market is closed. Once Tokyo opens on Monday morning Japan time (Sunday 5 p.m. Eastern), trading begins again, and it continues nonstop until Friday afternoon New York time.

How spreads and volume change at Sunday's open

A spread is the difference between the buy price and sell price of a currency pair — it is how your broker makes money and how much it costs you to enter a trade. At 5 p.m. Sunday when Tokyo opens, spreads are typically wider (more expensive) than they are during the busier hours of the day.

This happens because fewer traders are active. When fewer people are buying and selling, the prices are less stable, and brokers widen the spread to protect themselves. As more traders come online — first in Asia, then Europe, then North America — spreads narrow and volume increases. The tightest spreads usually occur during the London-New York overlap, roughly 8 a.m. to noon Eastern Time.

If you trade at 5 p.m. Sunday, expect to pay more per trade than you would during peak hours. Some traders accept this cost because they want to position themselves before the week's major news and economic data arrive. Others wait for the market to settle and spreads to tighten.

Which brokers let you trade at Sunday's open

Most forex brokers that serve U.S. traders allow you to begin trading at 5 p.m. Sunday. However, not all brokers open their platforms at exactly the same time, and some may have a brief delay of a few minutes. Check your broker's trading hours in their platform settings or help section to confirm the exact time they begin accepting trades.

Some brokers also offer what they call "Sunday pre-market" trading, which may start a few minutes before 5 p.m. or may have different rules than regular trading. Read your broker's terms to understand whether Sunday evening trades are subject to the same margin requirements and stop-loss protections as weekday trades.

The difference between Sunday open and the rest of the week

Sunday evening trading is real forex trading — you are trading actual currency pairs against real prices. However, the market conditions are different from Monday through Friday afternoon. Volume is lower, spreads are wider, and price swings can be more unpredictable because fewer traders are active to absorb large orders.

Some traders use Sunday evening to place orders they want to be in place when the week begins. Others avoid trading at this time because they prefer the tighter spreads and higher volume of peak hours. There is no right answer — it depends on your strategy and how much the wider spreads cost you compared to the trades you want to make.

When the market closes on Friday

The forex market closes each week at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. This is when the New York session ends and no major financial center is open for business. From Friday 5 p.m. through Sunday 5 p.m. Eastern Time, the forex market is closed and you cannot trade.

During this two-day gap, news and events can happen that will affect currency prices when the market reopens. Economic data, central bank announcements, or geopolitical events may occur over the weekend. When Sunday 5 p.m. arrives and Tokyo opens, prices may gap — jump suddenly — to reflect this news. This is one reason some traders are cautious about holding positions into the weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I place orders on Saturday or Sunday morning?

No. The forex market is completely closed from Friday 5 p.m. Eastern through Sunday 5 p.m. Eastern. You cannot place, modify, or cancel trades during this time. Your broker's platform will not accept new orders, though you can usually view your existing positions and account balance.

What if my broker shows a different Sunday open time?

Some brokers may open a few minutes before or after 5 p.m. Eastern, or they may have different rules for Sunday trading than for weekday trading. Log into your platform and check the trading hours listed in your account settings or help section. If you are unsure, contact your broker's support team to confirm the exact time they begin accepting trades.

Are spreads always wider on Sunday?

Spreads are typically wider on Sunday evening than during peak weekday hours, but they narrow as more traders come online. By the time London opens a few hours later, spreads usually tighten significantly. If tight spreads matter to your strategy, waiting a few hours after Sunday's open may be worth it.

What happens if news breaks over the weekend?

The market cannot react to weekend news until it reopens at 5 p.m. Sunday. When Tokyo opens, prices may gap — jump suddenly — to reflect any major announcements or events that occurred while the market was closed. This is why some traders avoid holding positions over the weekend.

Is Sunday trading less risky or more risky?

Sunday trading is not inherently riskier, but the conditions are different. Lower volume and wider spreads mean your trades cost more to enter and exit. Price swings can also be more unpredictable. Whether this matters depends on your position size and how long you plan to hold the trade.