Free Presentation Time Planner
Give every part of your presentation a time allowance before you begin rehearsing. Enter your total presentation time, reserve time for questions and choose how many main points you want to cover.
The free presentation time planner provides a suggested allocation for your opening, main points, conclusion and questions. Use it as a starting structure, then adapt your talk to suit the subject and audience.
Presentation Time Planner
Divide your presentation time between your opening, main points, conclusion and questions.
Of the time remaining after questions, 10% goes to your opening, 80% to your main points and 10% to your conclusion.
How to Plan Your Presentation Time
Enter the total time available for your presentation.
Enter the number of minutes reserved for questions.
Choose the number of main points in your talk.
Review the suggested time allowance for each section.
Use the results to prepare your outline and rehearse.
Question time is included within the total you enter. For example, a 30-minute presentation with five minutes of questions leaves 25 minutes for the talk itself.
How the Planner Divides Your Time
After subtracting question time, the planner allocates:
10% to the opening.
80% to the main points.
10% to the conclusion.
It divides the main-point time equally between the number of points you select. Allocations are rounded and balanced to whole seconds so they add up to your total time.
This is a suggested structure rather than a rule for every presentation. A demonstration, technical explanation or interactive workshop may need a different balance.
Example: Planning a 30-Minute Presentation
Suppose you have 30 minutes, including five minutes for audience questions, and want to explain three main points.
The planner suggests:
Opening: two minutes and 30 seconds.
Main point one: six minutes and 40 seconds.
Main point two: six minutes and 40 seconds.
Main point three: six minutes and 40 seconds.
Conclusion: two minutes and 30 seconds.
Questions: five minutes.
This gives you a clear target for each section and protects time for your closing message.
Choose a Realistic Number of Main Points
More points mean less time to explain each one. Before adding another topic, consider whether it supports the presentation’s main purpose.
If an important point needs a detailed example or demonstration, you may need to simplify another section. The equal allocations help you see the available time; they do not mean that every topic must receive identical attention during delivery.
Check Your Script and Rehearse
Once you have an outline, use the Speech Time Calculator to estimate the duration of your written script.
Then rehearse aloud with a timer. Include slide changes, demonstrations and deliberate pauses. If a section repeatedly runs over, adjust the content before the presentation rather than relying on faster delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is question time included in the total presentation time?
Yes. The planner subtracts your selected question time from the total before dividing the remaining time between your opening, main points and conclusion.
Can I plan a presentation without questions?
Yes. Enter zero minutes for questions.
Why does the planner use a 10%, 80%, 10% split?
It provides a simple starting structure that reserves time to introduce the subject, develop the main ideas and finish with a conclusion. You can adapt your delivery when your presentation needs a different balance.
Does the planner calculate how many slides I need?
No. It allocates time to presentation sections. The appropriate number of slides depends on their content and how you use them.
Can I print my presentation plan?
Yes. Use Print Results for a results-only print view, or Copy Results to transfer the allocation into your notes.
Practise Your Presentation with MyStageClock
Use your planned allocations during rehearsal and check whether each section fits. Open MyStageClock to practise with a visible countdown.