Gold Trading Hours in IST: When XAUUSD Moves
Gold trades nearly around the clock on weekdays. Here is the schedule in Indian Standard Time, the session that matters most for Indian traders, and a live view of what’s open right now.
| Session | Hours (IST) | Liquidity |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 2:30 AM – 11:30 AM IST | Low |
| Tokyo | 5:30 AM – 2:30 PM IST | Moderate |
| London | 12:30 PM – 9:30 PM IST | High |
| New York | 5:30 PM – 2:30 AM IST | High |
Session times shift by about an hour around daylight-saving changes in the US and Europe. The highlighted row is active now; the badge shows whether the market is open.
XAUUSD is spot gold priced in US dollars. It is the price of one troy ounce of gold in USD. For a retail trader in India using an offshore international CFD broker, knowing when this market is actually moving matters more than knowing that it trades almost all day.
Gold runs on a 24x5 schedule. That means you can place a trade at 10 AM IST or 2 AM IST. But volume and volatility are not the same at those times. This guide maps the real trading sessions to Indian Standard Time so you can plan around liquidity instead of guessing.
The 24x5 Schedule and Weekly Open/Close in IST
Gold CFDs typically follow the underlying spot market. The week opens on Monday morning and closes on Saturday morning IST, with a daily break of roughly one hour.
Most international brokers pause quotes between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM IST depending on daylight saving time in the US. The weekly close usually happens around 3:30 AM IST on Saturday. The market reopens around 4:30 AM IST on Monday.
Do not assume your broker matches this exactly. Check the contract specifications on your platform. The live session table on this page shows the current opening and closing times for the broker referenced on our site.
Four Sessions Mapped to IST
Gold trades through four main regional sessions. Times shift by one hour when the US or Europe changes clocks, but these IST ranges are a reliable baseline.
- Sydney: 2:30 AM – 11:30 AM IST. Low volume. Gold often drifts sideways here.
- Tokyo: 5:30 AM – 2:30 PM IST. Slightly more activity, but still thin compared to London.
- London: 12:30 PM – 9:30 PM IST. The first major injection of volume. Gold starts to trend.
- New York: 5:30 PM – 2:30 AM IST. The second major liquidity wave. US economic data lands here.
The most liquid window for gold is the London-New York overlap. That is approximately 17:30 to 22:00 IST. Spreads tighten and price action becomes more technical because two large financial centres are active at the same time.
Best Times for an Indian Trader to Trade Gold
If you trade after office hours in India, you are in luck. The London-New York overlap falls between 5:30 PM and 10:00 PM IST. This is the best time for a retail trader in Mumbai, Delhi, or Bengaluru to watch XAUUSD.
During this window, a standard lot of 100 ounces gets meaningful movement. A full $1.00 move in gold equals $100 per standard lot. With USD to INR around 88, that is roughly ₹8,800 per dollar move per lot. A smaller 0.01 lot, which is 1 ounce, would be ₹88 per dollar move.
Avoid the period between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM IST. That is the gap between Tokyo winding down and London opening. Volume drops and spreads can widen. The hours after 2:30 AM IST are also thin. New York has closed and Sydney is not yet active. You will see choppy, low-momentum conditions that can stop out positions for no fundamental reason.
Common questions
What time does the gold market open in India?
Gold CFDs open around 4:30 AM IST on Monday. The exact time depends on your broker and daylight saving time in the US.
What is the most liquid time to trade XAUUSD in IST?
The London-New York overlap is the most liquid window. It runs from about 17:30 to 22:00 IST.
Can I trade gold at night in India?
Yes, New York trades until about 2:30 AM IST. However, liquidity drops sharply after New York closes and before Sydney opens.
How much is 1 pip in gold for a standard lot?
1 pip is a 0.01 move in price. For one standard lot of 100 ounces, 1 pip equals $1. A full $1.00 move equals $100.
Trade the active session on FxPro
The London–New York overlap is when gold moves most. FxPro quotes XAUUSD with tight spreads and INR-friendly funding — see the conditions for India.
See FxPro gold conditions →