How to use it
- Choose the sport in Sport.
- Type the Start time of the match.
- Type your estimate of the Time for stoppages, then read the Expected end time.
How the length is worked out
The minutes of play and the breaks are the ones the rules set. The expected end time adds them to the start time, together with your estimate of the stoppages, and wraps past midnight.
Stoppages are not fixed by any rule. Referees add time for substitutions, injuries, time-wasting and goals in football; in rugby and basketball the clock stops in other ways. Use your own experience of the competition for this figure.
End time = start time + minutes of play + breaks + stoppage estimateWhat this calculator does not cover
- Extra time, overtime and penalty shoot-outs, which the competition adds when the match is level.
- Youth and other variants of each sport, which may have shorter periods.
- Volleyball and other sports with no time limit: the end time depends on the score and is not shown.
Example: football starting at 19:00
Two halves of 45 minutes make 90 minutes of play, and the half-time break of up to 15 minutes is counted. With an estimate of 15 minutes for stoppages, the match ends at 19:00 + 90 + 15 + 15 = 21:00.
A basketball match from 19:00 has 40 minutes of play and 19 minutes of breaks, so with the same estimate it ends at 20:14.
| Item | Minutes |
|---|---|
| Minutes of play | 90 |
| Half-time break | 15 |
| Stoppage estimate | 15 |
Frequently asked questions
Why does the football half-time count as 15 minutes?
The IFAB Law 7 says that the half-time interval must not exceed 15 minutes, so the page uses the maximum. A shorter break ends the match earlier.
Why is the basketball break 19 minutes?
The FIBA rules give a 2-minute interval after the first and third quarters and a 15-minute half-time, so 2 + 15 + 2 = 19 minutes.
Why is there no end time for volleyball?
A volleyball match is played to the score: the sets end when a team wins them, and there is no time limit. The end time cannot be fixed from the rules.
What should I enter for stoppages?
Enter your own estimate. Stoppages are added by the referee during the match, so the figure is not part of any rule and changes from match to match.
Does this include extra time?
No. Extra time and shoot-outs are added only when the competition calls for them. Add their length yourself if you expect them.
Sources
- IFAB, Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 7 (the duration of the match)
- FIBA, Official Basketball Rules 2026, Article 8 (game duration)
- NFL, 2026 Official Playing Rules (periods and halftime)
- World Rugby, Laws of the Game 2026, Law 5 (duration)
- IHF, Rules of the Game, indoor handball (Rule 2:1; English)
- FIVB, Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028 (English)
Figures and text last checked on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.