About the Debate Timer
This free debate timer keeps speeches on time with a big, colour-coded countdown that everyone in the room can read. The ring runs green while there is plenty of time, turns amber in the final stretch, and flashes red when time is up - then counts the overtime so the chair knows exactly how far over a speaker has run. Optional bells ring at the warning and at time-up, just like a real debate.
How to Use It
- Set the speech length - Pick a preset or type a custom time (for example
7:00). - Choose the warning - A single bell and an amber ring signal the last 30 seconds or last minute. Set it to Off if you don't want a warning.
- Press Start - The ring counts down. Press again to pause, or Space to start and stop.
- Time up - A double bell rings, the ring turns red, and the timer counts the overtime.
- Go Fullscreen - Show the countdown across the room on a screen or projector.
Works for Any Debate Format
- British Parliamentary & Worlds - 7-minute speeches with a one-minute warning
- Policy (CX) - 8-minute constructives and shorter rebuttals
- Lincoln-Douglas - 6, 4, and 3-minute speeches
- Public Forum - 4-minute speeches and 3-minute crossfire
- Model UN, mock trial, and classroom debates - set any custom length
Features
- Colour-coded ring: green while speaking, amber for the warning, red for overtime
- Warning and time-up bells you can switch on or off
- Counts overtime so you can enforce speaking limits fairly
- Preset speech lengths plus a custom time
- Fullscreen mode for whole-room visibility
- Free, no sign-up, works on any device
FAQ
When does the warning bell ring?
By default a single bell rings with one minute left and the ring turns amber. You can switch the warning to 30 seconds or turn it off entirely.
What happens when time runs out?
A double bell rings, the ring turns red and pulses, and the display switches to counting the overtime (for example +0:12) so the chair can see how far over the speaker has gone.
Can I turn the bells off?
Yes. Untick Bells to run the timer silently - the colour changes still show the warning and time-up.
Is the debate timer free?
Yes - completely free, no sign-up, and it works on phones, tablets, laptops, and interactive whiteboards.
Related Tools
- Speech Timer - time a speech and estimate its length from your script
- Teleprompter - scroll your notes while you speak
- Speech Time Calculator - how long your script takes to say
- Presentation Timer - keep a whole talk on schedule