Stage timer and event countdown timer for conferences
Free online stage timer for events: queue countdowns, send live speaker cues, and put a fullscreen countdown on any screen. Nothing to install.
What a stage timer does during a live event
A stage timer shows a speaker how much time is left on a screen they can read from the lectern, while the operator changes that time from a separate device. Questro splits the job into two browser links: a display link that opens fullscreen on a stage monitor, confidence screen, TV, tablet, or laptop, and a private control link the producer keeps on a phone. Nothing is installed on the venue machine and no screen sharing is involved, so the countdown does not vanish when someone switches slides. Speakers see the time remaining, a progress bar or circular ring chosen by the operator, and text that turns red as the countdown runs out. Operators see the queue, the running timer, and every control the room should never see.
Building the run of show before doors open
Most conference delays start when the operator is still building timers after the program has begun. Queue every segment in advance — keynote, panel, audience Q&A, break, closing — and the operator has one job during the show: start the next countdown when the room is ready. The control panel shows running, paused, queued, and completed timers together, so the next segment is always in view. Turn on auto-start and the next queued timer begins the moment the current one hits zero; leave it off and the display returns to an idle screen showing the clock or a waiting message. On Pro and the 7-Day Event Pass, a cue sheet, agenda, spreadsheet, PDF, screenshot, or pasted schedule can be imported: Questro extracts session names and durations, and the operator reviews every timer before it joins the queue.
Adding time and cueing speakers without interrupting the talk
Talks run long. From the control link an operator can add or remove minutes without stopping the countdown, pause for applause or a demo, or move to the next segment, all without walking on stage or speaking into the room. Quick phrases put common cues one tap away: a short, readable message appears on the timer display and the screen then returns to the countdown, so a moderator never has to interrupt out loud. The control link works from any phone or laptop, so the operator can sit backstage, at the back of the room, or in the AV booth. Rehearsing on the actual display device before doors open catches font size and visibility problems while there is still time to fix them.
Key details
Queue keynote, panel, break, and closing countdowns in the order of your run of show.
Open a fullscreen display link on any stage monitor, confidence screen, TV, tablet, or laptop browser.
Keep a private control link on a phone to start, pause, add minutes, or jump to the next timer.
Send short quick-phrase cues to the speaker display instead of interrupting the talk.
Start a temporary timer without an account; guest control links, AI schedule import, custom uploaded backgrounds, and branding removal are paid.
Common questions
Is there a free event timer for conference stage screens?
Yes. Core timing in Questro Timer is free, and you can start a temporary session without creating an account: it comes with sample countdowns, a fullscreen display link, and a private control link, and it is cleaned up automatically after you close it. Guest control links, AI schedule import, custom uploaded backgrounds, and removing Questro branding require Pro or the 7-Day Event Pass.
How do I put a countdown on a stage screen without screen sharing?
Open the display link in a browser on the stage monitor, confidence screen, TV, or laptop and put it fullscreen. It is an ordinary web page, so there is nothing to install on the venue machine and nothing to share from a laptop, and the screen keeps showing the countdown while the presenter changes slides on another output.
Can I queue multiple countdown timers for a run of show?
Yes. Build every segment in advance and fire them in order. The control panel shows running, paused, queued, and completed timers together, and auto-start rolls straight into the next queued timer when one finishes.
How do I tell a speaker to wrap up without interrupting them?
Send a quick phrase from the control link. A short message appears on the timer display the speaker is already watching, then the screen returns to the countdown. The operator can also add or remove minutes without stopping the running timer.
Can more than one person control the same event timer?
The control link can be opened on more than one device. Paid plans add guest control links, so a producer and an AV operator can drive the same timer from different places in the venue without sharing a Questro login.