Toastmasters Timer Signals
Green, Yellow, Red — Know Your Timing
Click a Speech Type to See Timing
| Speech Type | 🟢 Green | 🟡 Yellow | 🔴 Red |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepared Speech (CC 5-7) | 5:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 |
| Table Topics | 1:00 | 1:30 | 2:00 |
| Evaluation | 2:00 | 2:30 | 3:00 |
| Contest Speech | 5:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 |
| Icebreaker | 4:00 | 5:00 | 6:00 |
| General Evaluator | 3:00 | 4:00 | 5:00 |
Overtime Rules
0-30 seconds over: Warning — speaker may still qualify in contests
30+ seconds over Red: Disqualification in contests. In regular meetings, it is a courtesy issue.
How to Signal
💡
Light DeviceUse a dedicated traffic light device with colored LEDs
🃏
Colored CardsHold up green, yellow, or red cards visibly to the speaker
📱
Phone ScreenUse a timer app with color-coded background signals
Timer Tips
- • Always confirm timing rules with the Toastmaster of the Day before the meeting
- • Start your timer when the speaker says their first word
- • Signal clearly — hold the card for at least 3 seconds
- • Record all times for the General Evaluator report
- • For online meetings, use screen share or chat to signal