Times for every speech
Ice Breaker: 4 to 6 minutes. Green at 4:00, yellow at 5:00, red at 6:00.
Prepared speech (Pathways projects): usually 5 to 7 minutes. Green at 5:00, yellow at 6:00, red at 7:00. Some projects call for a different length: change the thresholds in one click.
Table Topics: 1 to 2 minutes. Green at 1:00, yellow at 1:30, red at 2:00.
Speech evaluation: 2 to 3 minutes. Green at 2:00, yellow at 2:30, red at 3:00.
Contests and the 30-second grace period
International and Humorous Speech Contests: 5 to 7 minutes. A contestant is disqualified under 4:30 or over 7:30.
Evaluation Contest: 2 to 3 minutes, disqualified under 1:30 or over 3:30.
Table Topics Contest: 1 to 2 minutes, disqualified under 1:00 or over 2:30.
Tall Tales Contest: 3 to 5 minutes, disqualified under 2:30 or over 5:30.
These times follow the official speech contest rulebook. Always check the current version used in your district.
The Timer role, made easy
Set up the agenda before the meeting: one speech per speaker. During the meeting, Space starts the clock and Enter moves to the next speaker. The whole screen changes color like timing lights, readable from the back of the room.
At the end, the summary lists each speaker's time and the color they reached, ready for your Timer's report. It also exports to CSV for the club minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Toastmasters speech?
Most prepared speeches run 5 to 7 minutes. The Ice Breaker is 4 to 6 minutes, Table Topics 1 to 2 minutes and an evaluation 2 to 3 minutes.
When do the green, yellow and red lights come on?
Green at the minimum time, yellow at the midpoint and red at the maximum. For a 5–7 minute speech: 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00.
Is there a 30-second grace period?
In contests, yes: a contestant is disqualified for speaking more than 30 seconds under the minimum or over the maximum. In the Table Topics Contest, the 1-minute minimum is strict. In club meetings, practice varies from club to club.
Can I set up the whole meeting in advance?
Yes. “Load a full session” adds two prepared speeches, three Table Topics and two evaluations; rename each one with the speaker's name.
TimeYourSpeech is an independent tool. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Toastmasters International. “Toastmasters” is a trademark of Toastmasters International.