About the presentation timer
A countdown built for speakers. The display turns yellow with 5 minutes left and red for the final minute. If you run long, it keeps counting in overtime (+00:42) so you know exactly how far over you are.
Run it full screen on a second monitor, a laptop at the lectern, or a phone propped against your notes. It also works while you share your slides on Zoom or Teams — just keep the timer in a separate window.
Recommended times
| Lightning Talk | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Short Talk | 10 minutes |
| TED-Style | 18 minutes |
| Conference | 30 minutes |
| Keynote | 45 minutes |
Typical presentation lengths
| Format | Usual time limit |
|---|---|
| Elevator pitch | 30 seconds – 1 minute |
| Pecha Kucha (20 slides × 20 s) | 6 minutes 40 seconds |
| Lightning talk | 5 minutes |
| Class presentation | 5 – 10 minutes |
| Toastmasters prepared speech | 5 – 7 minutes |
| TED talk | up to 18 minutes |
| Conference session | 20 – 30 minutes |
| Keynote | 30 – 60 minutes |
Rehearse to about 90% of your slot. Live talks almost always run longer than practice runs because of pauses, laughter and questions.
How to use the presentation timer
- Pick a preset (Lightning Talk, TED-Style, Keynote…) or tap Edit time for any length.
- Press Full screen, or move the tab to your presenter screen.
- Press Start (or the space bar) as you begin speaking.
- Watch for yellow at 5:00 and red at 1:00. If you go over, the timer counts up in pink.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Space start / pause
- R reset
- F full screen
- M mute
Frequently asked questions
How do I use a presentation timer on Zoom or Teams?
Open this page in its own browser window and share only your slides window (not your whole screen). Put the timer beside your camera or on a second monitor so you can glance at it while speaking.
Can I use it with PowerPoint or Keynote?
Yes. Open the timer on a second screen, a tablet or your phone and press Full screen. It runs independently of your slides, so switching slides never resets it.
What happens when time runs out?
A short alarm plays and the timer keeps counting up in overtime so the speaker and the chair can see how far over the talk is. Press Pause to stop, or Reset to start again.
Can the audience see the timer?
Press Full screen (or F) and project it. The digits scale up to fill the screen and the colour cues are visible from the back of the room.
Is there a presentation timer app to install?
No install needed. It runs in any modern browser on phones, tablets and laptops. On a phone, use your browser's Add to Home Screen to launch it like an app.
Is it free, and do I need an app?
It is completely free with no sign-up or download. It works in any modern browser on phones, tablets and computers.