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What is the Time Zone in the MT4/MT5 Terminal?

Server time is GMT+3 during daylight saving time and GMT+2 during winter/standard time. Check the time shown in the trading platform to confirm the active offset.

FXTRADING.com server time is GMT+3 during daylight saving time and GMT+2 during winter/standard time. Check the server time displayed in the trading platform to confirm which offset is active now. Trading sessions depend on the instrument and may change for holidays, maintenance or market adjustments.

How do I check the current platform time?

Check the server timestamp displayed by the connected terminal, rather than your computer or phone clock. In desktop MT4, the Time column in Market Watch shows when the latest quote arrived from the server. If this column is hidden, right-click inside Market Watch and enable Time. It does not keep advancing when no new quotes arrive: during a closed session or a connection interruption, the displayed timestamp may be stale. Use a fresh server timestamp when comparing it with local time to confirm the active offset; do not calculate the current offset from an old quote.

Why Time Zones Matter in Trading

Understanding the platform's time zone is crucial for:

  1. Planning Trades: Market opening/closing times are based on server time

  2. Setting Pending Orders: If an expiry option is available for the selected symbol and server, check its date and time before submitting. Expiry determines how long an unfilled order remains valid; it does not schedule a trade. A pending order still requires its price trigger and the applicable execution conditions. Available expiry options depend on the server settings.

  3. Reading Charts: Candlestick formations and patterns are aligned to server time

  4. Analyzing Economic Events: Coordinating economic calendar events with your trading platform

Tips for Managing Different Time Zones

  1. Add Multiple Time Zone Indicators: Consider adding time zone indicators to your charts to track different market sessions

  2. Set Alarms: Configure platform alerts based on server time for important market events

  3. Use the Economic Calendar: Check which time zone the calendar uses, then convert event times to the active server offset. Do not assume a website or device calendar already uses the trading platform’s time zone.

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