Trading Hours for Washington State: When Does the Stock Market Open?

Quick Answer for Washington Traders

For traders in Washington State asking what time does the stock market open in washington state, here’s the essential takeaway: U.S. equity markets (NYSE and Nasdaq) begin regular trading at 6:30 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) and close at 1:00 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, excluding exchange holidays.

This 3-hour time difference from Eastern Time (ET) remains constant year-round because both zones observe daylight saving time on the same schedule.

Breaking Down the Trading Day: PT vs. ET

Regular Trading Session (Core Hours)

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq define their primary trading window in Eastern Time: 9:30 a.m. ET to 4:00 p.m. ET. This is when the vast majority of trading volume occurs, prices discover, and official open/close prices are established.

For Washington State residents operating on Pacific Time, simply subtract three hours:

• Market opens: 6:30 a.m. PT
• Market closes: 1:00 p.m. PT

This is the time window where liquidity is highest, bid-ask spreads are tightest, and execution quality is generally best for retail and institutional traders.

Premarket Trading Hours

Before the official 9:30 a.m. ET open, many brokers and trading platforms offer premarket sessions. Typical premarket availability spans from 4:00 a.m. ET to 9:30 a.m. ET.

Converting to Washington time, premarket commonly runs from 1:00 a.m. PT to 6:30 a.m. PT.

What to expect during premarket:

• Significantly lower trading volume and wider bid-ask spreads
• Higher volatility, especially around corporate earnings announcements or macroeconomic data releases
• Many brokers restrict certain order types; limit orders are strongly recommended
• Price discovery is less reliable than during regular hours

After-Hours Trading Window

Following the 4:00 p.m. ET market close, extended trading sessions are available on most platforms. A common after-hours window is 4:00 p.m. ET to 8:00 p.m. ET.

For Washington-based traders, this converts to 1:00 p.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT.

Key considerations for after-hours activity:

• Liquidity remains thin; spreads widen substantially
• Price movements can be sharp in response to earnings or major news
• Execution risk is elevated; market orders may fill at significantly worse prices
• Broker policies vary—some platforms end extended hours earlier than 8:00 p.m. ET

Important: Always verify your specific broker’s exact extended-hours windows, as not all platforms offer the full 4:00–8:00 p.m. ET window.

How Exchange Mechanics Affect Execution

Beyond simply converting time zones, Washington traders should understand how exchanges process orders:

Opening and Closing Auctions: Both NYSE and Nasdaq conduct opening and closing auctions to establish official prices. Orders placed before the market opens may be queued for the opening auction rather than executed immediately. Similarly, orders placed during the closing auction participate in final price discovery.

Pre-Open Order Collection: In the minutes before 9:30 a.m. ET (6:30 a.m. PT), exchanges collect orders but do not execute them until the opening bell. Imbalances between buy and sell orders are displayed to participants, which can signal opening price direction.

Venue Differences: Electronic Communication Networks (ECNs) and alternative trading systems may have slightly different operational hours. Your broker’s routing decisions determine whether your orders execute on the primary exchange or an alternative venue, which can impact both timing and fill quality.

Market Holidays and Early-Close Days

U.S. equity markets observe several holidays when exchanges are fully closed. Additionally, certain days feature an early market close.

Full Market Closures:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth National Independence Day
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Early-Close Days (1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT):

• Day before Independence Day (if weekday)
• Day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday)
• Christmas Eve (if weekday)

For Washington State traders, an early close at 1:00 p.m. ET equals 10:00 a.m. PT. Always verify the current year’s exchange calendar before major holidays, as schedules can be adjusted.

Options, Futures, and Derivatives: Different Hours Apply

Do not assume the 6:30 a.m. PT open applies to all products. Options and futures trade on separate exchanges with distinct schedules:

• Equity Options: Typically trade morning through afternoon on options exchanges, but specific hours vary by listing. Check the product’s designated exchange.
• Futures: Major stock-index and interest-rate futures often trade nearly 24/7, pausing only for brief daily maintenance windows. Commodity futures follow similar patterns but with venue-specific rules.

When converting futures or options hours, apply the same ET → PT rule (subtract 3 hours), but always confirm the product’s specific exchange schedule before placing orders.

Cryptocurrency: No Fixed Hours

A key distinction for traders evaluating multiple asset classes: cryptocurrency markets operate continuously, 24/7, with no official open, close, or exchange-observed holidays. Liquidity and spreads vary by time of day and exchange, but there is no mandated synchronized trading session as with NYSE/Nasdaq equities.

Practical Trading Tips for Washington Residents

1. Set Your Alarm Strategically: If targeting the regular market open with maximum liquidity, plan for 6:30 a.m. PT. Early-morning traders can access premarket starting around 1:00 a.m. PT.

2. Confirm Broker Extended-Hours Support: Not all brokers offer premarket or after-hours access. Contact your broker to confirm exact windows and any restrictions on order types.

3. Prefer Limit Orders Outside Regular Hours: During premarket and after-hours, use limit orders to control execution price. Market orders in thin liquidity can result in significantly worse fills.

4. Plan for T+2 Settlement: Equities settle two business days after trade execution (T+2), regardless of whether the trade occurred during regular or extended hours. Account for this when planning cash flows.

5. Verify Holidays Before Trading: Check the exchange holiday calendar before placing trades around major U.S. holidays. Shortened or closed sessions can disrupt typical trading patterns.

6. Use Authoritative Sources: Confirm current session times on official exchange websites (NYSE.com, Nasdaq.com) and your broker’s trading calendar before important events.

Daylight Saving Time: No Seasonal Change to the Offset

Both Eastern and Pacific Time zones observe daylight saving time on identical dates. This means the 3-hour offset (ET − 3 hours = PT) remains consistent year-round.

International traders should note: some countries observe DST on different schedules or not at all. This can temporarily shift the offset between local time and Eastern Time.

FAQ: Common Questions About Washington Trading Hours

Q: What time does the market open in Seattle? A: 6:30 a.m. PT for NYSE and Nasdaq regular trading hours.

Q: When can I start trading in premarket from Washington? A: Many brokers offer premarket access starting around 1:00 a.m. PT (4:00 a.m. ET), but exact times vary by platform.

Q: Until what time can I trade after-hours in Washington? A: Typical after-hours sessions extend to around 5:00 p.m. PT (8:00 p.m. ET), though this varies by broker.

Q: Do cryptocurrency markets follow the same hours as stocks? A: No. Crypto trades 24/7 with no fixed open/close times.

Q: On an early-close day, what time does the market open in Washington and close? A: Regular open remains 6:30 a.m. PT. Early closes typically occur at 10:00 a.m. PT (1:00 p.m. ET).

Q: Where can I verify the current trading hours and holiday schedule? A: Check NYSE.com, Nasdaq.com, and your broker’s trading calendar for the most current information.

Authoritative Sources for Verification

To confirm exact trading hours, holiday schedules, and any special session notices:

• NYSE Official Hours & Holiday Calendar: nyse.com (look for “Market Hours” section)
• Nasdaq Market Hours: nasdaq.com (search “Market Hours”)
• Cboe (for options and index products): cboe.com
• Your Broker’s Trading Calendar: Most brokers display session times and holidays in their platform settings or help center

When checking these sources, note whether times are listed in ET or your local timezone. For Washington traders, always apply ET − 3 hours for Pacific Time conversion if needed.

Final Checklist for Washington-Based Traders

• ✓ Regular market open: 6:30 a.m. PT
• ✓ Regular market close: 1:00 p.m. PT
• ✓ Premarket typically available: 1:00 a.m. PT – 6:30 a.m. PT
• ✓ After-hours typically available: 1:00 p.m. PT – 5:00 p.m. PT
• ✓ Confirm your broker’s exact extended-hours windows
• ✓ Use limit orders for premarket and after-hours trades
• ✓ Check the exchange holiday calendar before trading around major U.S. holidays
• ✓ Remember: Options and futures follow different schedules
• ✓ Settlement timing is T+2 for equities regardless of session
• ✓ Verify live hours on exchange and broker websites before major trading events

Summary: What Time Does the Stock Market Open in Washington State?

The straightforward answer to what time does the stock market open in washington state is 6:30 a.m. Pacific Time for regular NYSE and Nasdaq trading. Extended premarket sessions may open as early as 1:00 a.m. PT, and after-hours trading typically runs until 5:00 p.m. PT on most platforms.

Always verify your broker’s specific windows, use limit orders outside regular hours, and consult the official exchange calendar before placing trades around holidays or corporate events. With these practices in place, Washington-based traders can navigate market hours effectively and manage execution risk across all trading sessions.