Toastmasters Timer Signals
Green, Yellow, Red — Know Your Timing
Click a Speech Type to See Timing
| Speech Type | 🟢 Green | 🟡 Yellow | 🔴 Red |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepared Speech (5-7 min) | 5:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 |
| Table Topics | 1:00 | 1:30 | 2:00 |
| Evaluation | 2:00 | 2:30 | 3:00 |
| Icebreaker | 4:00 | 5:00 | 6:00 |
What Happens Before Green or After Red?
Regular club meetings: Record the exact time and report it when called on. The club or meeting chair decides how timing affects meeting awards.
Speech contests: There is no single grace-period rule that safely applies to every contest. Use the current rulebook and the Timer briefing for that event; do not infer qualification from the red signal alone.
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
- • Confirm the official start cue for the meeting or event before timing begins
- • Signal clearly — hold the card for at least 3 seconds
- • Record all times for the General Evaluator report
- • For online meetings, keep the timer tile, shared timer, or color signal visible to the speaker