Sessions

Killzones (Asian/London/NY)

Specific time windows where institutional activity peaks and the most significant price moves of the day occur.

Diagram: Killzones (Asian/London/NY)

Related indicator: Sessions & Liquidity Suite View indicators

What Are Killzones

Killzones are specific time windows during the trading day when the probability of significant price moves is highest due to concentrated institutional activity. ICT identified these periods as the moments when Smart Money executes its primary orders.

Killzone Hours (New York Time / EST)

  1. Asian Killzone: 20:00 - 00:00 EST. Sets the range for the day (Asian Range). Low volatility, accumulation.
  2. London Killzone: 02:00 - 05:00 EST. Typically sweeps liquidity from the Asian range. High volatility.
  3. New York Killzone: 07:00 - 10:00 EST. The main move of the day. Maximum volatility.
  4. London Close Killzone: 10:00 - 12:00 EST. Reversals and profit-taking.

How to Use Them in Trading

  • Only trade during Killzones. Outside of them, price action tends to be choppy and directionless.
  • The Asian range establishes the day’s liquidity: identify its highs and lows.
  • London typically sweeps one side of the Asian range to set the day’s direction.
  • New York confirms or reverses the London move.
  • Look for your setups (OB + FVG + sweep) within Killzones for the highest probability.

Classic ICT Daily Model

  1. Asia: creates the range (accumulation).
  2. London: sweeps one extreme of the range (manipulation).
  3. New York: moves in the real direction (distribution).
  4. London Close: profit-taking, possible partial reversal.