# Sand Timer & Game Turn Clock

> Say goodbye to jammed plastic sand timers and jarring phone alarms that interrupt game nights. BoardGamesBot Sand Timer simulates smooth, high-resolution physical sand flow, elegant end-of-turn gongs, a 3D flip animation, and quick panic extensions (+30s & +1m) when someone is on the verge of finishing their move.

- Page: https://www.boardgamesbot.com/tools/sand-timer
- Other language: https://www.boardgamesbot.com/ferramentas/ampulheta-online
- All tools: https://www.boardgamesbot.com/tools

## How to use

1. **Select your turn duration** — Choose an official preset (30s for Codenames/Just One, 1 or 2 min for Eurogames) or set your own custom countdown.
2. **Start the countdown** — Tap Start or click directly on the hourglass to watch the sand grains begin dropping smoothly.
3. **Flip for the next player** — When a player finishes their turn, tap "Flip Hourglass" or "Next Turn" to animate the glass 180° and restart the clock immediately.
4. **End-of-turn sound alert** — During the final 5 seconds, gentle audio pulses sound, followed by a resonant gong when time is officially up.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the standard time of a tabletop game hourglass?

Most physical sand timers in word and party games (like Codenames, Boggle, Pictionary, and Just One) run between 30 seconds and 1 minute. Medium strategy games typically use 1 to 2 minutes per player turn.

### How does an animated sand timer reduce Analysis Paralysis (AP)?

Placing an animated hourglass in the center of the table gives players an intuitive, visual feel for passing time without the high anxiety of blinking red digital numbers, keeping game pace brisk and engaging for everyone.

### Does the sand timer work in fullscreen on phones and tablets?

Yes! Tap the Fullscreen button to turn any phone or tablet into a dedicated centerpiece game clock for your table.

### Does the sound alert require heavy downloads or internet?

No! All sound cues and gongs are generated procedurally in real-time via the Web Audio API without requiring any external MP3 files.

### What is the Premium Chess Clock feature?

Premium mode provides dual-clock setups with customizable turn increments (Fischer / Bronstein time controls), perfect for competitive matches of Chess, Catan, Terraforming Mars, and 7 Wonders Duel.