Debate · Tools
Debate timer
Every speech in order, prep time for each side, and a big clock you can read from the back of the room. Pick a format and press Start.
Choose a format
Tap the clock or press Space to start and pause. ← → move between speeches.
Order of speeches
Warnings and times
Keyboard and touch
| Space | Start or pause (or tap the clock) |
|---|---|
| → N | Next speech (or swipe left on the clock) |
| ← P | Previous speech (or swipe right) |
| 1 2 | Start or stop prep for the first or second side |
| R | Reset this speech |
| + − | Add or take off 10 seconds |
| H | Hand signals on or off |
| F | Full screen (Esc to leave) |
| M | Sound on or off |
Using the timer
Hand signals. Many timekeepers hold up fingers for the whole minutes left, a bent finger (or a "C" shape) at 30 seconds, and a closed fist at time. Hand-signal mode shows the same thing big on screen, so a speaker can glance at it. Check what your league expects; some use time cards instead.
Prep time. In formats with running prep, each side has one bank of prep for the whole round. Press that side's prep button when they start preparing and again when they're ready. The speech clock pauses while prep runs. In formats where teams prepare before the round (World Schools and British Parliamentary), use the round-prep clock.
Points of information. In formats that allow them, the clock shows when the protected time at the start and end of a speech is over and points may be offered.
The timer keeps working without a connection once this page has loaded. It saves where you are, so a reloaded page picks up at the same speech (paused). Learn more about each format on the formats pages; for keeping notes during the round, try the flow sheet.