Green
Minimum time reached
Show green when the speaker reaches the minimum. For a 5 to 7 minute speech, that is at 5:00.
Club roles · The Timer
How to be the Timer at a Toastmasters meeting.
The Timer shows each speaker when they reach the minimum, warning, and maximum times and records the results for the final report. This guide covers common timings, a short role explanation, and a sample report.
During the meeting
9:41
Owen
2:12
Green · Yellow at 2:30
The signals
What the three colors mean.
Yellow
The maximum is near
Show yellow at the warning time. For a 5 to 7 minute speech, that is at 6:00.
Red
Time is up
Show red when the speaker reaches the maximum time. For a 5 to 7 minute speech, that is at 7:00.
Follow your club’s policy on how long each signal stays visible.
The numbers
Timings in the official Timer script.
| Segment | green | yellow | red |
|---|---|---|---|
| Table Topics | 1:00 | 1:30 | 2:00 |
| Evaluations | 2:00 | 2:30 | 3:00 |
| Ice Breaker speech | 4:00 | 5:00 | 6:00 |
| Most other speeches | 5:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 |
These are the example ranges in Toastmasters International’s Timer Script and Log. A speaker’s project or your meeting agenda may specify a different range; use that range. Contests follow separate contest rules. View the official source.
The meeting
The role, start to finish.
- 1
Get the agenda and timings
Before the meeting, note every timed segment on the agenda and the green, yellow, and red thresholds your club uses for each one.
- 2
Test your signals
Check the lights or cards from where the speakers will stand. If you are showing colors on a screen, make sure they are easy to see from the lectern.
- 3
Explain the role
When you are introduced, briefly explain what each color means and when speakers will see it. Something like this covers it:
“As Timer, I time each speaker and show the signals. Green means you have reached your minimum time, yellow means you are approaching the limit, and red means time is up.”
“The timings for each segment are on the agenda. I will report everyone’s times at the end of the meeting.”
- 4
Time each speaker
Start when the speaker begins, following your club’s timing policy. Show green, yellow, and red at the thresholds on the agenda, then log the final time before the next introduction.
- 5
Deliver the report
When called on, read each speaker, segment, and final time, and say whether it was under, within, or over the range.
The report
What to say when you’re called on.
A simple report format
When the Toastmaster calls for the Timer’s report, use your log to give each speaker’s name, time, and result. For the sample report shown here:
“During Table Topics, Maya spoke for 1 minute 43 seconds, within time.”
“For the prepared speeches, Priya spoke for 6 minutes 22 seconds, within time.”
“Owen’s evaluation lasted 3 minutes 11 seconds, which was over time.”
Keep in mind
For each speaker, give the name, final time, and whether it was under, within, or over the range. Leave comments on speech quality to the evaluators.
If a segment was not timed, leave it out of the report rather than guessing.
If a speaker ran over, report the result plainly and without additional commentary.
If your club wants a copy, you can share the report link in the club chat after the meeting.
Sample meeting report
2 of 3 speakers finished within time
Longest overrun: Owen (11 seconds)
3
Speakers
11:16
Total time
Speakers
Thursday club meetingMaya
Table Topics (1-2 min)
1:43
on time
Priya
Speech (5-7 min)
6:22
on time
Owen
Evaluator
Evaluation (2-3 min)
3:11
over by 0:11
This report contains the same names and times used in the sample script.
Use the free speech timer for the role.
Choose a timing range, enter the speaker’s name, and start. The timer shows full-screen green, yellow, and red signals, records the final time, and creates the meeting report.
Open the free speech timer- Presets for Table Topics, evaluations, Ice Breakers, and prepared speeches
- A separate display you can show on a projector
- A meeting report you can share with the club as a link
Sources
Official Toastmasters resources.
We checked the role duties and examples on this page against these Toastmasters International resources. Club practice can vary, so follow your meeting agenda and club officers.
Timer roleOfficial overview of the Timer’s responsibilities before, during, and after a meeting.Timer Script and Log (Item 675E)Official script, example timing ranges, and meeting log.A Toastmaster Wears Many Hats (Item 1167D)Toastmasters International’s guide to common club meeting roles.
These links point to official Toastmasters International material. speaking.app remains an independent product and is not affiliated with Toastmasters International.
Timer role questions
What does the Timer do?
The Timer explains the timing signals, times every timed segment, shows green, yellow, and red at the agreed thresholds, records the results, and reports them at the end of the meeting.
What do the green, yellow, and red signals mean?
Green means the speaker has reached the minimum time. Yellow warns that the maximum is approaching. Red means the maximum time has been reached. Follow your club’s policy on how long each signal remains visible.
What do I say in the Timer’s report?
For each timed segment: the speaker’s name, their final time, and whether it was under, within, or over the range. A full sample report is on this page.
What happens if a speaker goes over time?
Show red at the maximum time, record the speaker’s final time, and follow your club’s policy for reporting overtime. Contests have separate rules, so use the current contest rulebook and the instructions from the contest chair.
Does the timer work in other languages?
Yes. The timer and its report work in English, Spanish, German, French, and Portuguese.
Is this an official Toastmasters International resource?
No. speaking.app is independent and not affiliated with Toastmasters International. The role duties and example timings on this page are checked against the official sources linked below. Follow your agenda and club officers when local practice differs.
speaking.app is an independent product. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or licensed by Toastmasters International. TOASTMASTERS is a trademark of Toastmasters International, used here only to describe meeting roles and formats.