Game Timer - Chess Clock & Multiplayer Turn Timer Tool

Game Timer: Chess Clock and Turn Timer in One

Game Timer is an in-browser timer for board games, card games, and competitive play, with two modes built into a single tool. Use the Chess Clock for a classic 2-player clock, or the Turn Timer to keep 2 to 8 players moving. Nothing to install, and it works after the page loads.

The Chess Clock mirrors a physical tournament clock: each player has a countdown, and you tap your clock to hand over the move. The Turn Timer suits any take-turns game, with a fresh countdown each turn or one fixed time pool per player for the whole match.

Private by design: all timing and sounds run locally in your browser. Nothing about your game, players, or settings is ever uploaded to a server, and the timer keeps working offline once loaded.

How to Use Game Timer

Choose a mode

Pick Chess Clock for a 2-player game or Turn Timer for 2 to 8 players. The setup screen swaps to show the right presets and options for the mode you choose.

Pick a preset or go custom

Tap a built-in preset such as 5+0 blitz, or open Custom to set your own minutes, seconds, and increment. For Turn Timer, set the player count and any player names here too.

Start and pass the turn

Press Start to enter the game screen. In Chess Clock, tap your own clock face or press Space to end your move; in Turn Timer, hit Next Turn or Space to advance.

Play to the end

The clock turns yellow at 30 seconds and red under 10, then sounds an alarm at zero. Press P to pause or R to reset, or use Back to return to setup for a new game.

Preset notation: a label like 5+3 means 5 minutes per player plus a 3-second increment per move. Presets are grouped as Bullet (1+0, 2+1), Blitz (3+0, 3+2, 5+0, 5+3), Rapid (10+0, 10+5, 15+10, 30+0), and Classical (60+30).

Features

Chess Clock Mode

A classic 2-player clock with move counter, tap-to-switch clock faces, and a highlighted active side, just like a real tournament clock.

Turn Timer for 2-8 Players

A multi-player turn timer for board games, card games, and group play, with an active-player display and per-player grid.

Fischer & Bronstein Increment

Choose Fischer to add a fixed bonus each move, or Bronstein to add back only the time you actually used, up to the increment.

Simple & Hourglass Controls

Prefer a pure countdown? Simple and Hourglass run the clock straight down with no bonus time added.

Ready-Made Presets

Bullet, Blitz, Rapid, and Classical presets for chess, plus per-turn and total-time presets for Turn Timer.

Custom Time Settings

Set your own minutes, seconds, and increment, and pick the time control that fits your game.

Per-Turn & Total Time

Give each turn a fresh countdown, or hand every player a fixed pool of time for the entire game.

Auto Elimination

In total-time mode, a player who runs out is marked eliminated and skipped, so the game rolls on to whoever is left.

Warning & Danger States

The clock turns yellow at 30 seconds, red and pulsing under 10, and shows tenths of a second below 20 seconds.

Named, Color-Coded Players

Add custom player names and give each player a colored dot so everyone can spot their turn at a glance.

Sound & Vibration

A click on each turn switch and an alarm at zero, with vibration on mobile. Toggle sound on or off from setup.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Press Space to start or switch turns, P to pause or resume, and R to reset the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use the chess clock?

Choose Chess Clock, pick a preset or set a custom time, and press Start. Tap a clock face or press Space to begin. When you finish your move, tap your own clock face, use the Switch button, or press Space to hand the move to your opponent. The game ends when a clock hits zero.

What is the difference between Fischer, Bronstein, Simple, and Hourglass?

Fischer adds the full increment after every move, no matter how fast you played. Bronstein adds back only the time you actually used, capped at the increment, so with a 3-second increment a 1-second move returns +1s while a 5-second move returns +3s. Simple and Hourglass are pure countdowns with no bonus time.

What does the increment do, and what does "5+3" mean?

The increment is bonus time you receive after each move (in Fischer and Bronstein modes), which helps you avoid running out on long games. In a label like 5+3, the first number is minutes per player and the second is the increment in seconds per move, so 5+3 is 5 minutes each with 3 seconds added after every move.

Can I use the turn timer for board games with 2-8 players?

Yes. Turn Timer mode supports 2 to 8 players and is built for board games, card games, debates, and any take-turns activity. Set the player count, add names if you like, and choose per-turn or total time. The Chess Clock mode works for any 2-player game too, even if the wording is from chess.

How do I set per-turn versus total time?

In Turn Timer setup, choose Per Turn to give each player a fresh countdown on every turn, or Total to give each player one fixed pool of time for the whole game. In Total mode, anyone who runs out is eliminated and skipped; in Per Turn mode the timer resets each turn, so no one is permanently knocked out.

Why does the clock sometimes show decimals?

When a clock drops below 20 seconds, it switches to a more precise display showing tenths of a second, such as 0:15.3. This makes the final, tense moments easier to read so you know exactly how much time you have left.

Is this game timer free, online, and does it work offline?

It runs in your browser with nothing to download or sign up for. All timing and sound effects are generated locally, so once the page has loaded it keeps working without an internet connection.