Free Online Chess Clock
A two-player countdown clock for chess, checkers, Scrabble, or any turn-based game where each player gets a limited amount of thinking time. Pick a standard time control or set a custom time and increment, then tap your own panel after each move to pass the clock to your opponent.
How to Use It
Choose a preset — 1|0 (bullet), 3|2 (blitz with 2-second increment), 5|0, or 10|0 — or set your own minutes and increment below. Press Start, then whoever moves first taps their own panel once they've made their move; this pauses their clock, adds any increment, and starts their opponent's clock automatically. A panel flashes red when that player's time runs out.
An increment (like the "2" in 3|2) adds seconds back to your clock after every move, so a well-played game rarely ends on time alone. It's the standard way serious players avoid "flagging" — losing on time in an otherwise winning position.
Tips & Tricks
Match the time control to the game length you want. Bullet (1 minute) makes for fast, high-pressure games; classical (30+ minutes) suits longer, more careful play.
Tap immediately after moving, not before. Tapping your panel starts your opponent's clock — do it right after you physically move, the same way you would with a real chess clock.
Use increment for teaching games. A small increment gives beginners breathing room to think without the game dragging on indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "5|0" mean?
The number before the bar is minutes per player, and the number after is the increment in seconds added after each move. "5|0" means 5 minutes with no increment.
What happens when time runs out?
That player's panel turns red and the clock stops — by standard rules, running out of time means losing the game (unless the opponent has insufficient material to win, in over-the-board chess).
Can I set a time control that isn't listed?
Yes. Enter any minutes-per-side and increment you like in the custom fields below the presets.