ICT Macro Times — The Algorithm's Precise 20-Minute Windows
ICT Macro times are specific 20-minute windows when the algorithm actively seeks liquidity or delivers to FVGs. Knowing these times transforms how you read intraday price action.
ICT Macro times are specific 20-minute windows during the New York trading session when the algorithm is programmed to seek liquidity or reprice Fair Value Gaps. Unlike the broader Killzone windows (which span several hours), Macros are precise — they define an exact 20-minute period during which you should be watching for algorithmic price delivery. Outside of these windows, the market may appear random or directionless. Inside them, the algorithm is working.
The 8 ICT Macro Time Windows (New York Time)
- diamond8:50 AM – 9:10 AM: Pre-market macro — occurs before the 9:30 AM NYSE open. Price often makes a final liquidity sweep before the opening range is established.
- diamond9:50 AM – 10:10 AM: Post-opening macro — the first significant move after the opening range forms. Many Silver Bullet setups originate from this window.
- diamond10:50 AM – 11:10 AM: Mid-morning macro — coincides with the end of the 10:00-11:00 Silver Bullet window.
- diamond11:50 AM – 12:10 PM: Noon macro — often produces a reversal or consolidation break after the midday period.
- diamond1:50 PM – 2:10 PM: Afternoon macro — precedes the 2:00 PM Silver Bullet window and frequently sets up the afternoon direction.
- diamond2:50 PM – 3:10 PM: Late afternoon macro — the last major window before the 3:00 PM close period. High volatility common.
- diamond3:50 PM – 4:10 PM: Market close macro — surrounds the 4:00 PM NYSE close. Final daily range resolution often occurs here.
- diamond11:50 PM – 12:10 AM: Midnight macro — relevant for forex traders. Often delivers the Asian session opening range.
What the Algorithm Does During Macros
During each 20-minute Macro window, the algorithm has one of two primary objectives. The first is liquidity seeking — price moves to collect stop orders clustered at nearby swing highs or lows. This is the manipulation phase within the window. The second objective is FVG repricing — price delivers to an open Fair Value Gap to fill the imbalance left from a previous move.
The key insight is that these objectives are predictable. If there is an open FVG above current price and the daily bias is bullish, the next Macro window is likely to deliver price upward to fill that gap. If there is buy-side liquidity above current price and the algorithm needs to collect it before reversing lower, the next Macro window is likely to spike price above the swing high before reversing.
Trading Macro Times — Practical Application
The practical application of Macro times is to focus your attention and your trade execution within these windows. Before a Macro window opens, identify the nearest PD Array in the direction of your HTF bias. Mark the nearest liquidity pool above and below. Then, as the Macro window opens, watch for a sweep of one liquidity pool followed by a displacement move toward your PD Array target.
Do not enter trades 5 minutes before a Macro window opens — these pre-window periods are often periods of directionless chop. Do not hold trades through a Macro if you are already in profit and the window could produce a counter-move. The Macro windows are both entry timing tools and exit timing tools.
Macros vs Killzones — Understanding the Relationship
Killzones and Macro times are nested concepts. The London Killzone (7:00 AM – 10:00 AM) and New York Killzone (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) define the broader windows of high institutional activity. Within those Killzones, the Macro windows define the precise 20-minute periods of peak algorithmic activity. Your highest-probability setups exist at the intersection of both — a Macro window that occurs within a Killzone.
Set calendar alerts on your trading platform for all 8 Macro times. For the first 30 days of practicing this concept, simply watch what happens during each window — do not trade, just observe. You will begin to see the pattern of liquidity sweeps and FVG fills that occur with remarkable consistency during these precise windows.