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Use cases Speech clubs and debate

Speech clubs and debate

A speech timer and debate timer everyone can see

Give every speaker the same fair, visible time limit. The countdown fills the screen, turns yellow and then red at the times you choose, and can stop at zero or show how far over a speaker went.

Create a free account See how it works

Free plan: 3 rooms, 3 timers and 3 screens per room. No card needed.

A time limit everyone can see

The countdown fills the screen, so the speaker, the chair and the audience all see the same time. No more holding up cards.

  • Your warning times: set when the digits turn yellow and red for each speech, in seconds remaining.
  • Stop at zero, or show overtime: hold at 00:00, or keep counting so everyone sees how far over a speaker went.
  • Count up if you prefer: a count-up timer runs from zero to the limit, with the same warning colours.
A screen showing the Impromptu speech timer in yellow, with under 2 minutes left.

Speaker after speaker, without fuss

Add each speech or round as a timer, with the speaker's name. The timekeeper moves on with one button or one key.

  • Next speaker: press the next button, or the right arrow key.
  • Reset in a second: press R to run the same timer again.
  • Linked rounds: link timers so the next one starts as soon as one ends, for timed debate rounds.
The Shotimer Controller with a Prepared speech, an Impromptu speech and an Evaluation, each with its own duration.

Works with whatever screen you have

Club rooms and contest venues rarely have the same kit twice. Shotimer runs in a web browser, so any screen will do.

  • Any screen: a TV, a projector, a laptop facing the speaker, a tablet or a phone.
  • No installs: open a link or scan a QR code, and the screen is ready.
  • Just the numbers: Timer only hides the title for the biggest possible digits.
How it works

Ready in three steps.

Set up your running order

Create a free account, open a room and give each timer a title, a speaker and a duration.

Put the timer on a screen

Open the stage screen in a new tab, or scan its QR code on a TV, tablet or phone. Nothing to install.

Press Start

Every screen counts down together. Add a minute, send a message or move to the next timer from your laptop or phone.

Questions & Answers

Frequently asked questions.

Yes. Each timer has its own yellow and red warning times, in seconds remaining. For a 7-minute speech you might show yellow with 2 minutes left and red with 1 minute left. Enter 0 to switch a colour off.
Yes. Choose Stop counting at 0:00 in Room settings and timers stop at zero. Or leave it counting into overtime, so everyone can see how far over a speaker went.
Yes. A count-up timer counts from zero to the time you set, and the warning colours still appear as it gets close.
Yes. Add each speaker as a timer, and press the next button or the right arrow key to move on. You can also link timers so the next one starts as soon as one ends.
No. Any screen with a browser works, including a TV, a laptop facing the speaker, a tablet or a phone.
Yes. The free plan includes 3 rooms, 3 timers per room and 3 screens per room, with no card needed.

Learn more in the docs

More ways to use Shotimer

Presentations and talks

A big, clear countdown beside your slides, with warnings as time runs out and a colleague who can nudge you along.

Read more

Classrooms and exams

A big countdown on the classroom projector, a clock on the wall screen, and silent reminders for the whole room.

Read more

Try Shotimer at your next contest.

Create a free account and put a timer on your own screens in a few minutes.

Create a free account