ICT kill zones are specific time windows during the trading day when volatility and volume are often higher, typically around major session opens. The idea is that liquidity events cluster during these windows, so setups may resolve more cleanly than in quiet periods.
The commonly cited windows
- London open — often around the start of the European session.
- New York open — around the start of the US session, frequently overlapping London.
- London close — a later window as the European session winds down.
- An Asian range that later provides liquidity for the London and New York moves.
These labels come from the FX world and are usually quoted in a specific time zone. The exact clock times are illustrative only and shift with daylight saving, your broker's server time, and the market you trade — crypto and index futures do not follow FX sessions. Always convert the concept to your own instrument and time zone.
How to use it honestly
Kill zones are a filter, not a signal. Trading during active hours can improve fills and follow-through, but the window alone is not a reason to trade — you still need structure, liquidity and a valid setup. Backtest whether these windows actually help on your market before relying on them.
Kill zones flag active session windows, but the exact times are illustrative and depend on your session, broker and market.