Spread Comparison: Asian Session Forex Costs (2026)
Updated Apr 2026 • 10 min read • Asian session data
The Asian trading session (approximately 00:00-08:00 GMT) presents unique challenges and opportunities for forex traders. While European pair spreads widen significantly during these hours, Asian currency pairs like USD/JPY, AUD/USD, and NZD/USD offer competitive pricing thanks to deep liquidity from Japanese, Australian, and New Zealand banks. This analysis breaks down exact spread conditions during the Asian session to help you optimize your trading if you are active during these hours.
Asian Session Spread Data (Q1 2026)
| Pair | Asian Session Spread | London Session Spread | Widening Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.3-0.8 pips | 0.0-0.2 pips | 3-4x wider |
| GBP/USD | 0.8-2.0 pips | 0.1-0.4 pips | 5-6x wider |
| USD/JPY | 0.1-0.3 pips | 0.0-0.2 pips | 1.2-1.5x wider |
| AUD/USD | 0.3-0.6 pips | 0.2-0.4 pips | 1.3-1.5x wider |
| NZD/USD | 0.5-0.9 pips | 0.4-0.7 pips | 1.2-1.3x wider |
| USD/CAD | 0.8-2.0 pips | 0.3-0.6 pips | 2.5-3x wider |
| XAU/USD | 12-25 cents | 5-10 cents | 2-2.5x wider |
Which Pairs to Trade During Asian Hours
The data shows a clear pattern: pairs involving Asian-Pacific currencies maintain competitive spreads during the Asian session, while European and North American pairs suffer significant widening. If you must trade during 00:00-08:00 GMT, focus on USD/JPY, AUD/USD, NZD/USD, AUD/JPY, and AUD/NZD for the best spread conditions.
Avoid trading GBP/USD and EUR/GBP during the Asian session unless you are using limit orders with very wide tolerances. The 5-6x spread widening on Cable makes short-term GBP strategies uneconomical during these hours.
Best Asian Session Spreads
Exness offers the tightest USD/JPY spreads during Tokyo hours.
Best Brokers for Asian Session Trading
Exness leads our Asian session rankings because their broad liquidity provider network includes direct connections to Japanese and Australian banks. This gives them consistently tighter spreads on Asian pairs during Tokyo hours compared to brokers that rely primarily on European LPs.
IC Markets also performs well during the Asian session, likely due to their Australian headquarters and strong relationships with Australian financial institutions. Their AUD/USD spreads during Sydney hours are among the tightest available.
Asian Session Trading Strategies
- Range trading: Asian session typically produces 30-40% of the daily range on major pairs. Range-bound strategies work well during the lower volatility conditions with USD/JPY and AUD/USD.
- Breakout preparation: Use the Asian session to identify range boundaries and set pending orders for the London open breakout. This avoids trading during wide-spread hours entirely.
- News-driven: Japanese and Australian economic data released during the Asian session can provide high-probability trade setups on yen and Aussie pairs with competitive spread conditions.
Methodology
Asian session spreads measured from 00:00-08:00 GMT on raw accounts across all tested brokers. London session data (08:00-16:00 GMT) provided for comparison. Data collected over Q1 2026 using automated tick sampling.
Related Comparisons
Explore more spread data across different pairs and brokers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Asian session spreads always wider?
For European pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD, yes. Spreads are typically 2-5x wider during Asian hours. However, USD/JPY and AUD/USD actually have competitive spreads during the Asian session due to regional bank participation.
What is the best pair to trade during Asian session?
USD/JPY offers the tightest spreads during Asian hours because Japanese banks provide deep yen liquidity. AUD/USD and NZD/USD are also competitive due to Australian and New Zealand bank activity.
Which broker has the tightest Asian session spreads?
Exness offers the most consistent Asian session spreads across all pairs. Their EUR/USD averages 0.3 pips during Tokyo hours versus 0.5-1.0 at other brokers, thanks to their broad liquidity provider network.