Gold Trading Sessions: Asian, London & NY Explained
Complete guide to gold trading sessions. How gold behaves during Asian, London, and NY sessions, volatility patterns by session, and which session suits your trading style.
I tested every approach with real capital before landing on this one. Here is what actually works for XAUUSD.
The Three Gold Trading Sessions
Gold and the US dollar usually move in opposite directions. When the dollar weakens, gold rises. I watch DXY (dollar index) as a proxy before every trade. It is not a perfect indicator, but it helps.
Asian Session — Range Trading
The Asian session is great for range trading. The London session has the highest volume. The NY session has the most volatility. I trade NY because I prefer volatility over volume. Choose your session based on your personality, not your schedule.
London Session — Trend Development
Friday NY session is different. Volume drops after 12 PM as traders close positions for the week. I rarely enter new trades on Friday afternoons. Too much noise, too little follow-through.
New York Session — Volatility Maximized
I trade the US session exclusively. 8 AM to 12 PM New York time is when gold moves. I live in Singapore, so that means I am at my desk from 8 PM to midnight. It took some adjustment, but it was worth it.
Choose Your Session Based on Your Style
If you can only trade one session, make it the overlap between London and NY (12 PM to 4 PM GMT). That two-hour window sees the most gold movement. I built my entire strategy around it.
I have been trading XAUUSD for 6 years. Everything in this guide comes from real trades at my desk in Singapore — not from textbooks. Here is what I have learned.
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Session Volatility Comparison
Maybe i'm wrong, this year alone, - Asian Session (Tokyo/Tokyo-London overlap): 300-500 pip average range. Lower volatility, tighter ranges. Best for breakout and range trading. Most predictable session.
well: just last month, I watched a trader - London Session: 600-1,000 pip average range. Medium volatility. Highest volume. Trend-following strategies shine. London open (08:00 GMT) is a key inflection point. It's honestly terrible.
- NY Session 800-1,500+ pip average range. High volatility. London-NY overlap (13:00-16:00 GMT) is peak activity. News-driven moves dominate. Use reduced position sizes.
Session-Specific Trading Strategies
Asian Session Strategy (23:00-08:00 GMT)
- Focus: Support/resistance ranges established from previous sessions
- Position size: 100% of normal (lowest volatility)
- Best for: Range trading, breakout preparation for London open
On this page
guide.recommended_brokers
Recommended: Trade gold with EBC — tested across all sessions.
guide.start_tradingRecommended: Trade gold with Wisuno — tested across all sessions.
guide.start_tradingguide.related_guides
Master strategy Trading Concepts
This guide covers "how to start gold trading", "top gold strategy", "gold trading for beginners". Whether you are new to gold trading or refining your approach, understanding {category.toLowerCase()} principles helps you make better trading decisions.
Understanding Gold Trading Sessions: Asian, London & NY Explained in XAUUSD Trading
Every gold trader needs to understand "what is my position size for gold", "how to calculate gold pip value", "compute pip value for gold". Without proper {toolName.toLowerCase()}, you are trading blind. Use this tool alongside how to control emotions in gold trading, how to start gold trading and trading philosophy to build a complete risk management framework.
Key Trading Terms to Know
Understanding "what is my position size for gold", "how to calculate gold pip value", "compute pip value for gold" is just the beginning. Serious gold traders also study how to control emotions in gold trading, how to start gold trading and trading philosophy to protect their capital. Master these concepts and you will trade with confidence across all sessions.
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