Free Online Chess Clock

A chess clock (or game clock) gives each of two players their own countdown timer, where only one side's clock runs at a time — pressing a button stops your own clock and starts your opponent's. It's used to enforce time limits in chess and other turn-based games so that thinking time is fairly and clearly divided between both players.

Common Uses for a Chess Clock

• Casual and competitive chess — enforcing a time limit per player for a fair, timed game
• Other turn-based board games — any two-player game where you want to cap thinking time per turn
• Debate practice — allocating and tracking speaking time between two sides
• Turn-based classroom activities — giving each participant an equal, tracked amount of time to respond

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the chess clock support time increments?

Yes, you can add an increment (extra seconds added to a player's clock after each move), matching common formats like Fischer or Bronstein increments used in standard timed chess.

What happens when a player's time runs out?

That side's clock stops at zero and is visually marked (e.g. highlighted in red) to indicate they've run out of time, per standard chess clock convention.

Can I set different starting times for each player?

Yes, each side's starting time can be configured independently, which is useful for handicap games where one player is given less time than the other.