Chess Clock Online
Free chess timer with Fischer increment, Blitz, Bullet, Rapid and Classical presets. Switch with Space or tap your side.
Chess Time Controls — Bullet, Blitz, Rapid, and Classical
Standard chess time controls are defined by FIDE and used on all major platforms including Lichess and Chess.com. Here is a complete reference table for each format.
| Format | Time Control | Increment | Total Game | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet | 1+0 or 2+1 | 0 or 1 sec | Under 3 min | Speed practice, reflexes |
| Blitz | 3+2 or 5+0 | 0 to 3 sec | 3 to 10 min | Casual play, online games |
| Rapid | 10+0 or 15+10 | 0 to 10 sec | 10 to 30 min | Club play, FIDE Rapid |
| Classical | 30+0 or 90+30 | 0 to 30 sec | 30+ min | Tournament, deep analysis |
| Correspondence | 1-3 days/move | None | Days to weeks | Online postal chess |
Chess Timing Methods Explained
Standard (No Add)
The simplest method. Your clock counts down and nothing is added. When you hit zero, you lose on time. Best for casual home games and beginners.
Fischer Increment
Created by Bobby Fischer in 1988. A fixed number of seconds is added to your clock after every move. A 5+3 game means 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per move added. The most popular online format.
Bronstein Delay
Named after David Bronstein. The time you actually use on a move is added back, but only up to the delay maximum. Your total time can never increase. Used in traditional tournament play.
Simple Delay (US Delay)
The clock waits for the delay period before starting to count down. If you move within the delay window, no time is deducted. Standard in US Chess Federation tournaments.
How to Use This Chess Clock
Select Blitz 3+2 for a quick game, Rapid 10+0 for a club-style game, or enter any custom minutes and increment you want.
Fischer is recommended for most games. Standard is simplest. Bronstein and Simple Delay are for formal tournament rules.
Player 1 (White) moves first. After each move, press the Spacebar or tap your half of the clock to switch to your opponent's timer.
The player whose clock reaches 0:00 loses on time. A sound alert will fire and the screen shows who ran out of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fischer increment in chess?
Fischer increment (also called bonus time) adds a fixed number of seconds to your clock after every move. In a 5+3 game, each player starts with 5 minutes and gains 3 seconds per move. This was invented by Bobby Fischer in 1988 to prevent losing on time in winning positions.
What is the difference between Bullet, Blitz, and Rapid?
Bullet chess is under 3 minutes per player (1+0 or 2+1). Blitz is 3 to 10 minutes (3+2 or 5+0). Rapid is 10 to 60 minutes (10+0 or 15+10). Classical is anything above 60 minutes. Each format tests different aspects of chess skill.
How does a chess clock work?
A chess clock has two timers. When it is your turn, your timer counts down. After your move, you press your side to stop your timer and start your opponent's. The first player to reach zero loses on time, unless both agree otherwise (such as in correspondence chess).
What is Bronstein delay?
Bronstein delay adds back the time you spent on a move, but only up to a maximum. For a 5-second Bronstein delay: if you spend 3 seconds you get 3 back. If you spend 8 seconds you only get 5 back. Your total time can never increase, which makes it different from Fischer increment.
Can I set different times for each player?
Yes. Enable the Different time per player toggle to set independent minutes and increment for each player. This is useful for handicap games where stronger players get less time.
Can I use this chess clock on mobile?
Yes. The clock is fully touch-friendly. Tap your half of the screen after each move to switch the clock. You can also use fullscreen mode for a cleaner interface during over-the-board games.
What time control do tournaments use?
FIDE World Championships use 120 minutes for 40 moves plus 60 minutes to finish, with 30 seconds increment per move from move one. Online platforms favor 3+2 Blitz and 10+0 Rapid. US Chess uses Simple Delay for most rated events.