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Presentation Timer
How do you use a timer to rehearse a presentation?
Set the timer to your speaking slot and enter your slide count, then rehearse from the start without stopping. Dividing the slot by the slide count gives a target pace, so comparing the slide you are on with the slide you should be on shows whether you are ahead or behind while there is still time to correct.
Key takeaways
- Target pace is the slot length divided by the number of slides.
- Overrunning is usually decided in the first third of a talk, not the last.
- A countdown alone hides drift, because time remaining looks fine until it suddenly does not.
- Rehearse at least twice: the first run shows the deck is too long, the second shows whether the cuts worked.
Rehearse with the timer
10:00
remaining
You should be on slide 1 of 12
0:50 per slide
Running over is almost always decided in the first third of a talk, not the last. A countdown alone hides that, because time remaining looks fine right up until it does not. Pace against slide position surfaces the drift while there is still room to correct it.
How to use the Presentation Timer
- Set your slot lengthEnter the time you have been given in minutes. If there is a question period at the end, enter only the speaking portion.
- Enter your slide countThis is what turns a countdown into a pacing tool. The timer divides the slot by the count to work out how long each slide should take.
- Rehearse without stoppingStart the timer and present from the beginning. Do not stop to fix things — the point of the first run is to find out where you actually lose time, which only shows up at full speed.
- Compare where you are to where you should beThe timer shows the slide you should be on. If you are two or more behind by the first third, the deck is too long: cut slides rather than trying to speak faster.
Reference figures
| Measure | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch pace | ~30 sec/slide | Demo days and investor pitches |
| Business pace | ~50 sec/slide | Most internal and client decks |
| Training pace | ~90 sec/slide | Workshops and technical sessions |
| Rehearsals | 2 minimum | One to diagnose, one to confirm |
Frequently asked questions
How long should I spend on each slide?
Divide your slot by your slide count. Most business presentations land near 50 seconds a slide, pitches near 30, and training sessions near 90.
How many times should I rehearse?
At least twice. The first run tells you the deck is too long and where you lose time; the second tells you whether the cuts worked. A third is worth it for a high-stakes talk.
What do I do if I am running behind?
Cut slides rather than speaking faster. Speeding up compresses the parts the audience needs most, and it is audible. Decide in advance which slides you would drop.
Should the timer include question time?
No. Set it to the speaking portion only, and treat questions as separate. Building the deck to fill the whole slot leaves no room to be interrupted.
Does the timer keep running in a background tab?
Yes. It tracks elapsed wall-clock time rather than counting intervals, so a throttled or backgrounded tab does not cause it to drift.
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Or let Slideso handle it
Slideso’s layout engine sizes the canvas, computes every slide’s geometry from real font metrics, and enforces contrast before you see the deck — so these checks are already applied by the time it hands you the slides.
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