ICT Macros (Time-Based Trading Windows)

Definition

ICT Macros are recurring intraday time windows where the algorithm is most likely to seek liquidity (sweep highs/lows) and establish directional moves. There are 9 macros across the London and New York sessions: London Macro 1 (02:50-03:10 EST), London Macro 2 (04:50-05:10 EST), NY AM Macro 1 (08:50-09:10 EST), NY AM Macro 2 (09:50-10:10 EST), NY AM Macro 3 (10:50-11:10 EST), NY Lunch Macro (11:50-12:10 EST), NY PM Macro 1 (13:10-13:40 EST), NY PM Macro 2 (14:50-15:10 EST), and NY Close Macro (15:15-15:45 EST). The AM macros follow a pattern at :50 past the hour to :10 past the next hour. During these windows, the market often makes its key liquidity run before establishing the real move for the session.

Why It Matters

Macros give traders a precise time filter that dramatically reduces screen time and increases setup quality. Instead of watching charts all day, you can focus on specific 10-20 minute windows where the highest-probability moves originate. Many ICT students find that their best trades consistently occur during macro windows, because these are the times when the algorithm is programmed to seek and deploy liquidity.

How to Identify

1. Mark ALL macro time windows on your charts: London Macro 1 (02:50-03:10 EST), London Macro 2 (04:50-05:10 EST), NY AM Macro 1 (08:50-09:10 EST), NY AM Macro 2 (09:50-10:10 EST), NY AM Macro 3 (10:50-11:10 EST), NY Lunch Macro (11:50-12:10 EST), NY PM Macro 1 (13:10-13:40 EST), NY PM Macro 2 (14:50-15:10 EST), NY Close Macro (15:15-15:45 EST).
2. During these windows, watch for liquidity sweeps — price running above/below a recent high or low (e.g., Asian session high/low, overnight high/low, previous session extremes).
3. After the liquidity sweep, look for displacement in the opposite direction (the algorithm has grabbed the liquidity it needed and now moves to the real target).
4. Confirm the macro move with a Market Structure Shift (MSS) or Change in State of Delivery (CISD) within or immediately after the macro window.
5. The FVG or PD array created during the macro displacement is your entry zone for the session's move.

How to Trade

1. Before each session, identify the key liquidity levels the macro might target (Asian range high/low, overnight high/low, previous day high/low, equal highs/lows).
2. Set alerts or simply watch the charts during the specific macro windows for your chosen session.
3. During the macro window, if a liquidity sweep occurs followed by displacement, this is your signal. Mark the FVG/PD array from the displacement.
4. Enter on the FVG retracement (or Breaker, or OB — whatever PD array the displacement creates). Stop loss beyond the macro's liquidity sweep point.
5. Target the opposing liquidity pool (e.g., if the macro swept sell-side, target buy-side liquidity above).
6. The macro often sets the tone for the entire session — if the NY AM macro sweeps lows and displaces up, expect a bullish session until the next major macro or session change.

Common Confusions

Pre-Trade Checklist

• Current time within a macro window?
• Session bias determined?
• Liquidity target identified?
• Waiting for displacement within macro?

Related Concepts

More Session Concepts