For the presenter
Speaker View
Shows the current segment, time remaining, warning state, and what comes next.
Getting started
How to set up a presentation timer.
Create one shared timer room, keep Host controls on your device, open Display on the presentation screen, and share the right read-only view with each person in the session. This guide uses the simplest two-device setup first, then explains how to add a speaker, moderator, or agenda view when more people need timing context.
Updated July 23, 2026 · About 3 minutes to set up
The short version
Set up a presentation timer in five steps: create one room, keep Host private, open Display on the shared screen, send each person the appropriate read-only link, then start the active timer from Host. The result is one coordinated live session, not several disconnected countdowns that must be restarted or explained separately.
Before you begin
Decide who needs control and who only needs a cue.
Start by choosing one person to operate Host. That person can be the presenter, a teacher, a meeting facilitator, or a producer. Everyone else should receive only the view that matches the job they need to do during the session.
For a basic presentation, you only need a Host device and a Display screen. Add Speaker View when the presenter needs a personal cue, Moderator View when an assistant needs to monitor progress, or Agenda View when a team needs to see what is happening next.
Open every view before the audience arrives, then check that the same room and active timer appear where expected. This short rehearsal makes it much easier to spot a wrong link or an unwanted shared control before the live session begins.
Five-step setup
Set up the room before the session starts.
- STEP 01
Create one timer room
Select Create room to open a new Host workspace. Treat that room as the timing source for the complete session rather than creating separate countdowns on several devices. Give the first timer a clear name, such as Welcome, Keynote, Q and A, or Group activity, so everyone can recognize what is running.
One room holds the session agenda and the active timer. - STEP 02
Keep Host on your control device
Open Host on the laptop or tablet that will run the session. This is the private control workspace: it can edit the agenda, start or pause a timer, move between items, and correct remaining time during the event. Do not send this link to attendees, speakers, or a shared projector.
Keep control on one private Host device. - STEP 03
Open Display on the presentation screen
Open the Display link on a projector, confidence monitor, screen-share computer, or second screen. It follows the active room timer without showing Host controls or agenda editing tools. Before the session begins, confirm that the right timer and the intended display message are visible from the audience-facing screen.
Display is the clean, shared timer for the room.
Step 04
Share the right read-only view.
Keep the Host link on the control device. Then share a focused, read-only view with the people who need timing context but should not be able to change the room. This keeps the presenter informed without putting the session controls on a phone, projector, or audience-facing display.
For a producer or facilitator
Moderator View
Shows room timing and context without giving anyone the controls.
For the team or waiting speakers
Agenda View
Shows the active segment, what is next, and the running order without backstage controls.
Step 05
Start the active timer from Host.
Select the agenda item that should run now, then press Start in Host. Display and every open read-only view follow that same active room state. Take a moment to verify the shared screen after the first start. If the schedule changes, make the pause, next-item, or time correction from Host instead of asking each viewer to reopen a different timer.
Simple two-device setup
Start with one controller and one shared screen.
This arrangement works for a classroom, meeting, webinar, rehearsal, or small live event. Once it is working, send a read-only link only to the additional people who need it. You do not need to give every participant the same screen or the same level of access.
| Device | Open this view | Used by |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop or control tablet | Host | Presenter, producer, or facilitator |
| Projector, screen share, or second monitor | Display | Audience or shared room |
| Phone, tablet, or personal laptop | Speaker, Moderator, or Agenda | Presenter, producer, assistant, or team |
FAQ
Common setup questions
Which PresentationTimer link should I keep private?
Keep the Host link private. Host is the control workspace for starting, pausing, editing, and correcting the timer. Display, Speaker, Moderator, and Agenda views are read-only links for the people who need timing information.
Can I use PresentationTimer with a projector or second screen?
Yes. Open the Display link in the browser on the projector, confidence monitor, screen-share computer, or second display. The Display view follows the same active timer as Host without showing the control tools.
What should a speaker or moderator open?
Give a presenter the Speaker link for focused personal timing. Give a producer, assistant, or facilitator the Moderator link for read-only room monitoring. Share Agenda View with people who need the running order and current progress.
Next steps