Free tool
Round timer for sparring
Set how many rounds, how long each round lasts and how long the rest is, then press start. The bell rings at the start and end of every round, so you can coach instead of watching a clock.
No sign-up. Your numbers stay in your browser.
Bells play through this device. Connect a speaker for a big room.
Session
- Total time
- 35:10
- Time sparring
- 30:00
Get ready
0:10
Next: round 1
Space: start or pause · F: full screen
How to use it
- 01
Set your rounds
Enter how many rounds, how long each one lasts and how long the rest is. It starts at 6 rounds of 5 minutes with 1 minute of rest.
- 02
Choose the countdown and warning
Give everyone a few seconds to find a partner, and add a warning before each round ends.
- 03
Start and go full screen
Put the timer on a tablet or TV by the mat. The screen stays on and the bell marks every round.
Common round lengths by sport
Use these as a starting point, then set the timer to match your class.
- BJJ rolling: 6 rounds of 5 minutes with 1 minute of rest is a typical open-mat or end-of-class block. IBJJF adult matches last 5 minutes at white belt, 6 at blue, 7 at purple, 8 at brown and 10 at black.
- MMA: 3 rounds of 5 minutes with 1 minute of rest, the standard non-title format. Title fights go 5 rounds.
- Boxing: 3-minute rounds with 1 minute of rest. Professional bouts are scheduled for up to 12 rounds; sparring sessions are usually shorter.
- Muay Thai: 5 rounds of 3 minutes with 2 minutes of rest, the traditional professional format.
- Judo randori: 4-minute rounds, the length of a senior IJF contest, with 1 minute of rest.
- Wrestling: 2 periods of 3 minutes with a 30-second break, as in international freestyle and Greco-Roman.
How the signals work
- Three short beeps count down the last seconds before each round.
- One bell starts a round, two bells end it, and three bells end the session.
- The warning plays a quick clap-like signal before the end of each round, so partners know to finish their position.
- The clock turns orange during the warning and blue during rest, so it reads from across the room.
Running sparring rounds in class
- Use the countdown to give students time to find a partner and bump hands before the bell.
- Odd number of students? Use the rest to rotate, so whoever sat out goes in next.
- A shorter rest keeps the pace up for conditioning; a longer rest suits technical sparring and beginners.
- Plug a tablet into a speaker or open the timer on a TV so everyone hears the bell over music.
Frequently asked questions
Is the round timer free?
Yes. It runs in your browser with no account and no download. Your settings are remembered on this device so the timer is ready next class.
Will my phone screen turn off during a round?
On browsers that support it, the timer keeps the screen awake while it runs. If your device still locks, raise the auto-lock time in its settings.
Why can’t I hear the bell?
Check that the sound switch is on and the device isn’t muted; on iPhone, the silent switch also mutes browser sound. Browsers only allow sound after a tap, so the bell starts working once you press Start.
Does the timer keep time if I switch apps?
Yes. The clock is based on the real time elapsed, so it stays accurate in the background. Bells may be delayed by up to a second while the page is hidden, so keep it open on the screen during class.
How long should BJJ rounds be?
Most academies roll for 5 or 6 minutes with 1 minute of rest. Competitors often match their division’s match length, from 5 minutes at white belt to 10 minutes at black belt under IBJJF rules.
Can I use keyboard shortcuts?
On a computer, press Space to start or pause and F for full screen.
Run the academy, not the spreadsheet.
MatSync handles schedules, bookings, attendance, belt progress and payments in one place, with a member app for iOS and Android.