Timer
Started
—
Finishes
—
0:00
No ads in fullscreen
My times
- Nothing saved yet. Saved times stay on this device — no account, nothing uploaded.
An audio file up to 1 MB. It stays in this browser and appears as "My sound" in the Sound list.
- Space
- Start or pause
- F
- Fullscreen
- Esc
- Leave fullscreen
- R
- Reset
- ↑
- Add a minute
- ↓
- Take off a minute
- M
- Mute or unmute
Read next: Debate speech times by format: BP, World Schools, Lincoln-Douglas and Model UNAll 8 timers
World Schools debate timer
World Schools runs eight-minute substantive speeches with the first and last minute protected, then four-minute replies where no points of information may be offered at all. Both rules are about when the clock allows an interruption.
The short answer
World Schools substantive speeches are eight minutes, with the first and last minute protected — points of information may only be offered between 1:00 and 7:00. Reply speeches are four minutes and take no points of information at any stage. Green marks the end of protected time, amber the start of the closing protected minute, and red the limit.
Three steps to a timer on the wall
Step 1: Choose a time
Pick a preset or set your own. The timer remembers what you used last on this device.
Step 2: Press start
Start the timer, then press F or the fullscreen button to fill the screen.
Step 3: Run the room
Space pauses, the up arrow adds a minute, R resets. Fullscreen shows the timer alone, with no ads and no navigation.
Four things worth knowing
Green means points of information may now be offered
In World Schools the first minute is protected, so green at 1:00 is the signal to the opposing bench rather than to the speaker. Position the screen where both benches can see it.
Reply speeches take no points at all
The four-minute reply is protected throughout, which is why its preset shows no green. Do not run it on the substantive preset and expect the lights to mean the same thing.
The grace period is a tournament rule, not a format rule
Most competitions allow around fifteen seconds past red before penalising. Check the tournament's own rules rather than assuming, because it varies.
Run one screen for the whole round
Switching between the substantive and reply presets between speeches is faster than resetting by hand, and it keeps every speaker on the same clock.
No ads on your big screen
Ads pay for this page, and they stay on this page. The moment the timer goes fullscreen there is nothing on screen but the time — no banners, no navigation, no surprises in front of a room.
- Fullscreen shows the timer alone
- Ad sounds can never clash with the alarm
- Saved times stay on your device — no account
- Works with an ad blocker, and offline once loaded
Questions people ask
Anything we've missed?
How long are World Schools speeches?
Eight minutes for substantive speeches and four for replies. Some tournaments run seven and three; the presets above cover both.
When can points of information be offered?
Between the end of the first minute and the start of the last in a substantive speech. Reply speeches take no points of information at any point.
What is the difference from British Parliamentary?
BP runs seven-minute speeches with four teams; World Schools runs eight-minute speeches with two teams of three, plus a reply speech given by a speaker who has already spoken.
How much overtime is allowed?
Usually around fifteen seconds of grace before penalties apply, but this is set by each tournament rather than by the format. Check the round's own instructions.
Time something specific
Guides worth reading
- Debate
Debate speech times by format: BP, World Schools, Lincoln-Douglas and Model UN
Speech lengths, protected time and points of information for British Parliamentary, World Schools, Lincoln-Douglas and Model UN, with how to time each one.
7 min read - Toastmasters
Toastmasters timing rules: green, amber and red for every speech type
What the timing lights mean, the exact times for every speech type, and the 30-second rule that disqualifies contestants. Plus how to run the timer role.
6 min read
Other timers
- Plan it first
Speech Time Calculator
How long your speech runs, or how many words to write.
- Live
Countdown Timer
Any time you like, rung on time.
- Live
Pomodoro Timer
Twenty-five on, five off, four times.
- Live
Classroom Timer
Big, calm and ad-free on the board.
- Live
Speech Timer
Green, amber, red — the way clubs do it.
- Live
Exam Clock
Start time, finish time, time remaining.
- Live
Interval Timer
Work, rest, repeat — on the gym TV.
- Live
Tabata Timer
Eight rounds, twenty on, ten off.
Built by Spolvero studio. We design apps and websites for other people too.
Need an app designed?