# Presentation Timer

Free tool, no account required: https://slideso.com/tools/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.

## 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 |

## How to use the Presentation Timer

1. **Set your slot length** — Enter the time you have been given in minutes. If there is a question period at the end, enter only the speaking portion.
2. **Enter your slide count** — This 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.
3. **Rehearse without stopping** — Start 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.
4. **Compare where you are to where you should be** — The 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.

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.

## 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.

## Related free tools

- [Slide Count Calculator](https://slideso.com/tools/slide-count-calculator) — Work out how many slides a talk of any length needs — and how many words each one can carry.
- [Slide Size Guide](https://slideso.com/tools/slide-size-guide) — Every standard slide dimension in pixels, inches and centimetres — plus which to use where.

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Source page: https://slideso.com/tools/presentation-timer
Part of Slideso, an AI presentation maker: https://slideso.com/
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