ICT Kill Zones & Trading Sessions
Kill zones are specific time windows when the market tends to make its cleanest, highest-probability moves. Rather than trading all day, ICT traders focus on these sessions — when volume and volatility line up — and stay flat the rest of the time.
The main kill zones
- London open — early morning volatility as Europe comes online.
- New York open — the big one for US index futures like NQ and ES.
- London close — a later-morning window with clean moves.
- (All times shift with your timezone — know your local session times.)
Why timing matters
The same setup works better inside a kill zone than in dead, low-volume hours. Trading the right time is half the edge. Combine kill zones with liquidity and structure for your best trades. See also our guide to the best times to trade futures.
I break this down live on NQ and ES every session — so you learn the timing, not just the theory.
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What is the best kill zone for futures?
For US index futures like NQ/ES, the New York open kill zone is usually the most active and reliable.
Do I have to trade every kill zone?
No — most traders pick one session, master it, and skip the rest. Quality over quantity.
Educational content only, not financial advice. Trading futures carries substantial risk of loss.