How it works
Central banks publish their policy meeting schedules in advance, often a year or more ahead. This calendar gathers those schedules into a single view, sorted by date, so you can see which decisions are coming up.
Each entry shows only what the official source states, typically the central bank, the meeting or announcement date and a link to the bank's own schedule page. We don't add consensus forecasts, previous values or "impact" ratings, because those don't come from the official source.
Why central bank meetings move currencies
A central bank sets its country's policy interest rate and steers financial conditions. When it changes rates, or signals it might, the expected return on holding that currency changes. That can shift the interest rate differential between two currencies and lead to repricing in the pairs that involve them.
Markets usually price in what they expect before a meeting. The largest moves often come from surprises: a decision that differs from expectations, or a change in the bank's guidance about future policy. Statements, press conferences and published projections can all matter as much as the rate decision itself.
Examples of central banks on the calendar
| Central bank | Currency | Decision-making body |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Reserve | USD | Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) |
| European Central Bank | EUR | Governing Council |
| Bank of England | GBP | Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) |
| Bank of Japan | JPY | Policy Board |
The exact list displayed depends on which official schedules are available.
Worked example: planning around a meeting
These numbers are illustrative.
Suppose you hold a EUR/USD position of 50,000 units and an FOMC decision is scheduled for later today. Your stop-loss is 30 pips away, so your planned risk is 30 × $5 = $150.
Around major announcements, spreads can widen and prices can jump past stop levels. If the price gapped 20 pips beyond your stop, the loss would be 50 pips × $5 = $250 rather than $150. Seeing the meeting on the calendar in advance lets you decide whether to reduce size, adjust your plan or stay out, rather than being caught by surprise.
Tips
- Convert times carefully. Announcement times are usually given in the central bank's local time. The Forex Market Hours tool helps you see how they line up with your day.
- Read the statement, not just the headline. Guidance about future policy often drives the reaction.
- Expect volatility. Spreads can widen and slippage is more likely around decisions.
- Learn the theory in Central bank policy and Interest rates and currencies.
- Always verify dates on the official source before relying on them.
Risk note
Central bank decisions can produce fast, unpredictable price moves. Holding positions through major announcements carries extra risk, including gaps beyond stop-loss levels. This calendar is for information and education only; it does not forecast outcomes or provide trading advice.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the calendar data come from?
Each entry comes from the meeting schedule published by the relevant central bank on its official website, and links back to that source.
Why doesn't the calendar show forecasts or previous values?
The calendar only shows fields that the official source provides. Central banks publish meeting dates, not market forecasts, so we don't add estimates from elsewhere.
Can meeting dates change?
Yes. Central banks occasionally reschedule meetings or hold unscheduled ones. Always confirm with the official source linked to each entry.
What time are decisions announced?
Announcement times vary by central bank and sometimes by meeting. Where the source provides a time, check it on the bank's site and convert it to your local time.
Why do central bank meetings matter to forex traders?
Interest rate decisions and policy guidance affect the return on holding a currency and expectations about the economy, which can move exchange rates sharply.