ICT Kill Zones
Master ICT Kill Zones — the specific time windows where institutional setups form. Learn London, New York AM, NY Lunch, and NY PM Kill Zones with Bangladesh time conversions.
What are ICT Kill Zones?
Kill Zones are specific time windows during the trading day when the highest-probability institutional setups occur. ICT teaches that TIME determines WHEN price will move — Kill Zones are the framework for this time-based approach.
"You can have the perfect setup in the wrong time window and it will fail. Kill Zones tell you WHEN the algorithm is most active." — ICT
The Four Kill Zones
1. London Kill Zone
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| EST Time | 2:00 AM - 5:00 AM |
| BD Time | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
| Character | Manipulation phase — Judas Swing |
| Best For | Reversal setups, sweeping Asian range |
| Pairs | EUR/USD, GBP/USD, EUR/GBP, Gold |
London Kill Zone is where the manipulation phase of AMD occurs. The Judas Swing typically forms here, sweeping one side of the Asian range to create the daily high or low.
2. New York AM Kill Zone
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| EST Time | 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
| BD Time | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
| Character | Distribution phase — true move |
| Best For | Continuation after London reversal |
| Pairs | All major pairs, Gold, Indices |
NY AM is where the distribution move accelerates. If London created the manipulation, NY AM delivers the expansion.
3. NY Lunch Kill Zone (AVOID)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| EST Time | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
| BD Time | 10:00 PM - 11:30 PM |
| Character | Low probability — choppy |
| Best For | Nothing — step away |
| Warning | False signals, low volume, erratic moves |
4. NY PM Kill Zone
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| EST Time | 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM |
| BD Time | 11:30 PM - 2:00 AM |
| Character | Continuation or reversal |
| Best For | Trend continuation, closing positions |
| Pairs | USD pairs, indices |
Kill Zone Trading Strategy
London Kill Zone Setup
- Mark Asian Range — High and Low between 6 AM - 12 PM BD
- Wait for sweep — Price takes Asian High or Low
- Confirm MSS — 5M/15M structure shift after sweep
- Enter — At OB/FVG in the displacement
- Target — Opposing liquidity (if Asian Low swept → target BSL)
NY AM Kill Zone Setup
- Assess London result — Did London create the daily high/low?
- Look for continuation — If London reversed, NY AM continues that direction
- Enter on pullback — Use FVG/OB from the London displacement
- Target — Major liquidity pools (PDH/PDL, PWH/PWL)
Real Examples
Example 1: London KZ — EUR/USD
- Asian Range: 1.0870 - 1.0885 (6 AM - 12 PM BD)
- 12:15 PM BD: Price sweeps Asian low at 1.0867
- 12:30 PM BD: 5M bullish MSS forms
- Entry: Buy at 1.0872 (bullish OB)
- SL: 1.0864 | TP: 1.0910
- R:R: 1:4.75
Example 2: NY AM KZ — Gold
- London created daily HOD at 2,048 (manipulation up, then reversed)
- 5:30 PM BD: Price pulls back to 15M FVG
- Entry: Sell at 2,040 (bearish FVG CE)
- SL: 2,049 | TP: 2,010
- R:R: 1:3.3
ICT Macro Times
Within Kill Zones, there are specific macro windows where displacement occurs:
| Macro Window | EST Time | BD Time | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Macro | 1:33 AM - 4:00 AM | 11:33 AM - 2:00 PM | Setup formation |
| NY AM Macro 1 | 9:50 AM - 10:10 AM | 7:50 PM - 8:10 PM | Major displacement |
| NY AM Macro 2 | 10:50 AM - 11:10 AM | 8:50 PM - 9:10 PM | Secondary move |
| NY PM Macro | 1:50 PM - 2:10 PM | 11:50 PM - 12:10 AM | PM session start |
Common Mistakes
❌ Trading outside Kill Zones — Random entries = random results
❌ Trading NY Lunch — This is a low-probability trap zone
❌ Not converting to your timezone — Know YOUR local Kill Zone times
❌ Trading all Kill Zones — Master ONE Kill Zone before adding more
❌ Ignoring macros — The specific :50-:10 windows are where displacement occurs
Summary
| Kill Zone | BD Time | Best For | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 12:00 - 3:00 PM | Reversal/manipulation | ★★★★★ |
| NY AM | 5:00 - 8:00 PM | Distribution/expansion | ★★★★★ |
| NY Lunch | 10:00 - 11:30 PM | AVOID | ✗ |
| NY PM | 11:30 PM - 2:00 AM | Continuation | ★★★☆☆ |
Related Topics
- AMD — How sessions create the AMD cycle
- London Open — Detailed London session analysis
- New York Open — NY session strategies
- Judas Swing — London manipulation move
- Silver Bullet — Time-specific execution model