Classic Board Timer

Chess Clock

A free, fast online chess clock — and a straight-talking guide to the time controls behind every game. Pick a preset, or set your own custom control, and play.

▶ Open the clock Which control is right for me?

The fundamentals

What is a chess time control?

Every competitive chess game is played with a clock. A time control sets how many minutes each player has — and whether they gain extra seconds per move through increment or delay. That one number is what separates an afternoon-long classical game from a one-minute bullet sprint.

The clock doesn't just limit the game — it defines it. With hours to think, you calculate deeply and play your best chess. With seconds, you rely on pattern recognition and nerve. That's why the same position can feel completely different depending only on the numbers on the clock.

Four tiers cover everything from the fastest online formats to FIDE world championship play: bullet, blitz, rapid and classical. Each has its own character, its own community and its own set of popular controls.

Reference

The four formats at a glance

Format Time per player Common controls Best for
Bullet Under 3 min 1+0, 2+1, 3+0 Speed and reflexes
Blitz 3–10 min 3+2, 5+0, 5+3 Fast social play, online games
Rapid 10–60 min 10+0, 15+10, 25+10 Improving, club play
Classical 60 min+ 30+0, 60+30, 90+30 Deep calculation, tournaments

Full breakdown: Blitz vs Rapid vs Classical vs Bullet →

Bullet

Under 3 min

The fastest chess there is — sub-three-minute games where reflexes, pattern recognition and clock speed decide everything.

1+0
1 min, no increment
Open →
2+1
2 min, +1s/move
Open →
3+0
3 min, no increment
Open →

Blitz

3–10 min

Fast, sharp and addictive — blitz is chess played in minutes, not hours. Here’s what it is, why it exists and how to play it.

3+2
3 min, +2s/move
Open →
5+0
5 min, no increment
Open →
5+3
5 min, +3s/move
Open →
5 d2
5 min, 2s delay/move
Open →

Rapid

10–60 min

The sweet spot — enough time to actually think, short enough to finish in a sitting. The best format for improving players.

10+0
10 min, no increment
Open →
15+10
15 min, +10s/move
Open →
25+10
25 min, +10s/move
Open →
10 d5
10 min, 5s delay/move
Open →
15 d5
15 min, 5s delay/move
Open →

Classical

60 min+

The traditional, deepest form — hours per game, where calculation, preparation and endgame technique decide outcomes.

30+0
30 min, no increment
Open →
60+30
60 min, +30s/move
Open →
90+30
FIDE 90 min, +30s
Open →
30 d5
30 min, 5s delay/move
Open →

Learn the craft

Guides

Honest explainers on chess time controls — from the basics to tournament rules.

Blitz vs Rapid vs Classical vs Bullet
FIDE definitions, how each format feels to play, and which one suits you.
Read →
Chess Clock Rules
When to press, flag fall, illegal moves, and what happens when things go wrong.
Read →
How Increment Works in Chess
Fischer increment, Bronstein delay, and simple delay — what each one does in practice.
Read →
Handling Time Trouble in Chess
Practical advice on avoiding time pressure and building better clock habits.
Read →

All guides →