A setlist timer helps musicians and bands plan their live performance by calculating total set length including song durations and breaks. Whether you are preparing for a bar gig, festival slot, or full concert, knowing exactly how long your set runs helps you hit your time slot and avoid running over or coming up short.
Add Song
Break & Target Settings
0 = no long breaks
0 = no target
Set exceeds target length
Your Setlist
No songs added yet. Add your first song above to start building your setlist.
How to Use the Setlist Timer
Planning a live performance means knowing exactly how long your set will run. Whether you are filling a 45-minute bar slot, a 90-minute headline show, or a tight 30-minute festival set, the Setlist Timer helps you build and time your setlist so you never run over or fall short of your allotted stage time.
Step 1: Add Your Songs
Enter each song name and its duration in minutes and seconds, then click Add. Songs appear in your setlist with a running timestamp showing when each track starts relative to the beginning of the set. You can add as many songs as you need and the totals update instantly.
Step 2: Configure Breaks
Set the break duration between songs — this accounts for tuning, banter, and transitions. The default is 60 seconds, but you can adjust it to match your band's style. For longer sets, enable periodic long breaks by setting "Long break every N songs" to a value like 5 or 6. The long break duration defaults to 5 minutes, which is typical for a set intermission.
Step 3: Set a Target Length
If you have a specific time slot to fill, enter it as your target set length in minutes. The tool will warn you if your setlist exceeds the target, showing you exactly how much you need to trim. This is especially useful for festival slots and support acts where going over time can mean getting cut off.
Step 4: Reorder and Refine
Use the up and down arrows to rearrange your setlist. The running timestamps recalculate automatically, so you can experiment with song order without manually recounting. Move your strongest opener to position one, place ballads strategically for pacing, and end with your biggest crowd-pleaser. Delete songs that push you over your target time.
Step 5: Export and Share
When your setlist is ready, click Export as Text to generate a clean text version with song numbers, titles, durations, and running timestamps. Copy it to share with bandmates, paste it into a notes app for stage reference, or print it out. The timeline visualization gives you a quick visual overview of how your set breaks down between music and breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this setlist timer free to use?
Yes, the Setlist Timer is completely free with no signup or account required. You can add unlimited songs, configure breaks, reorder your setlist, and export it as text. Everything runs in your browser so your setlist data stays private.
Is my setlist data private and safe?
Yes, everything runs locally in your browser. Your song names and setlist data are never sent to any server. Nothing is stored after you close the page unless you export the setlist yourself.
How do I figure out the right set length for a gig?
Most venue sets run 45 to 90 minutes. A typical bar or club gig is two 45-minute sets with a 15-minute break between them. Festival slots are usually 30 to 60 minutes. Ask the venue or promoter for your exact time slot, then use the target length feature to make sure your setlist fits.
How long should breaks between songs be?
Short breaks of 30 seconds to 1 minute work well for keeping energy up. Allow longer breaks of 2 to 3 minutes if you need to tune, switch instruments, or talk to the audience. This tool lets you set a default break between songs and add longer breaks at regular intervals.
Can I reorder songs in my setlist?
Yes, each song has move up and move down buttons so you can rearrange the order. The running timestamps update automatically whenever you reorder songs, so you always see the correct timing for each position in the set.
How do I export my setlist?
Click the Export as Text button to generate a plain text version of your setlist with song numbers, names, durations, and running timestamps. You can then copy it to paste into a note-taking app, email it to bandmates, or print it out for the stage.
What is a good number of songs for a one-hour set?
For a 60-minute set with average song lengths of 3 to 4 minutes and 1-minute breaks between songs, you will need roughly 12 to 15 songs. Shorter punk or pop songs let you fit more, while longer jam or progressive tracks mean fewer songs. Use this tool to plan the exact count.