Time any speech with the classic green, yellow and red timing lights. Pick a speech type, press Start and the whole display changes color when the speaker reaches the minimum, nears the limit and hits the maximum. Every timed speech is added to a log you can copy or download.
Last updated:
SpeakerPrepared speech · 5–7 min
Ready
0:00
Times are minutes:seconds (1:30) or plain minutes (1.5). Green = minimum time reached, yellow = approaching the limit, red = maximum time reached.
Timing log
#
Speaker
Type
Time
Window
Result
No speeches timed yet. Press Stop & log after a speech to add it here.
Shortcuts: Space start / pause · S stop & log · R reset · F fullscreen.
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How to use the Speech Timer
Choose the speech type or type your own green, yellow and red times.
Enter the speaker's name (optional) so the log shows who spoke.
Press Start timing when the speaker begins, ideally after the first word or gesture. Use Fullscreen so the room or speaker can see the color.
Watch the lights change: green means the minimum is reached, yellow means start wrapping up, red means the time is up.
Press Stop & log when the speaker finishes. The time and the result appear in the timing log, ready for the timer's report.
Common speech timings
These are the windows most speaking clubs and classes use. Green comes on at the minimum, red at the maximum and yellow halfway between, or one minute before red for longer speeches.
Speech type
Window
Green
Yellow
Red
Table Topics (impromptu)
1–2 min
1:00
1:30
2:00
Short report or announcement
1–3 min
1:00
2:00
3:00
Speech evaluation
2–3 min
2:00
2:30
3:00
Ice Breaker (first speech)
4–6 min
4:00
5:00
6:00
Prepared speech
5–7 min
5:00
6:00
7:00
Longer speech
8–10 min
8:00
9:00
10:00
Advanced speech
10–12 min
10:00
11:00
12:00
How results are judged
With a grace period of g seconds, a time t is within time when green ≤ t ≤ red, within grace when it misses the window by no more than g, and under or over time beyond that. Times are compared in whole seconds, so 7:30 with a 7:00 red and a 30-second grace still counts as within grace, while 7:31 is over.
Tips for the timer role
Agree on the times first. Read the timings for each speaker aloud at the start of the meeting so everyone knows when the colors will change.
Place the screen where the speaker can see it but the audience is not distracted, such as at the back of the room or on a laptop facing the lectern.
Hide the clock for nervous speakers. Colors alone give the information they need without a ticking number.
For online meetings, share this tab or use the colors as your video background area so speakers can glance at it.
Report from the log. Copy the log into your meeting notes and read out each speaker's time and whether they qualified.
Frequently asked questions
What do the green, yellow and red lights mean?
Green shows that the speaker has reached the minimum time, yellow is a warning that the maximum is getting close, and red means the maximum time has been reached and the speaker should finish. In a 5 to 7 minute speech, green comes on at 5:00, yellow at 6:00 and red at 7:00.
What are the usual timings for club speeches?
Common club timings are 1 to 2 minutes for Table Topics (green 1:00, yellow 1:30, red 2:00), 2 to 3 minutes for evaluations, 4 to 6 minutes for an Ice Breaker and 5 to 7 minutes for most prepared speeches. Longer projects often use 8 to 10 or 10 to 12 minutes. Always check the times printed on your agenda, which take priority.
What is the 30-second grace period?
Many speech contests allow a speaker to be up to 30 seconds under the minimum or over the maximum before they are disqualified. Set the grace period to 30 s and the log marks those speeches as within grace; once a speaker passes red plus the grace, the display can flash red.
When should the timer start?
Start timing when the speaker begins communicating with the audience, which is usually the first word but can be a deliberate gesture or sound. Stop when they finish, typically when they hand control back to the chair.
Can the speaker see only the colors and not the clock?
Yes. Untick Show the running time on screen and the display shows only the colored background and the signal name. Many speakers find the colors less distracting than a running clock.
Is the timing log saved?
The log is kept in your browser's local storage on this device, so it is still there if you reload the page. Nothing is sent to a server. Use Copy log or Download CSV to keep a permanent record and Clear log to start a new meeting.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. Use Fullscreen and turn the device to landscape for a large timing light. Keep screen awake stops the screen from dimming in browsers that support it.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.