5 More Minutes is a free, browser-based tool designed for MCs, event hosts, conference moderators, and stage managers. It solves a simple but persistent problem at live events: how do you silently signal a speaker that their time is running out without interrupting the flow of the presentation?
The tool runs entirely in your browser — no app download, no account, no installation required. Open it on any phone, tablet, or laptop, and you are ready to go in seconds. It works offline once loaded, making it reliable even in venues with poor Wi-Fi.
There are two core modes: Card Deck Mode, which lets you flash large, high-contrast prompt cards to the speaker (such as "5 MIN", "WRAP UP", or "TIME'S UP"), and Countdown Timer Mode, which displays a live countdown that automatically shifts colour from white to amber to red as time runs out, ending with a full-screen "TIME'S UP" flash.
Research in event management and public speaking coaching consistently highlights that speakers lose track of time when absorbed in their presentation. Traditional hand signals from a moderator are easy to miss, especially in large venues or under stage lighting. A full-screen, high-contrast display on a tablet held up at the side of the stage is visible from 10–15 metres away without requiring the speaker to break eye contact with the audience.
The colour-shift system used in the countdown timer is inspired by traffic-light signalling principles: white indicates normal operation, amber signals the approach of a deadline, and red communicates urgency. This three-stage system is widely used in broadcast production and live event management to communicate time pressure without verbal interruption.
The Screen Wake Lock API is used to prevent the device from dimming or sleeping while a card or timer is on display — a critical feature when the device is simply sitting on a stand or being held up for extended periods.
Is 5 More Minutes free to use?
Yes, completely free. There is no subscription, no account required, and no feature locked behind a paywall. The site is supported by Google AdSense advertisements shown on the home screen and settings panels — never on the full-screen stage display.
Does it work on mobile and tablet?
Yes. The tool is fully responsive and designed primarily for mobile and tablet use, since those are the devices most commonly held up on stage. It works on iOS Safari, Android Chrome, and all modern desktop browsers.
Can I customise the cards?
Yes. Open the settings panel from within Card Deck Mode to edit card text, add a subtitle, choose an urgency colour (neutral, info, warning, urgent, stop, or positive), and reorder cards by dragging. You can also create a completely new deck from scratch using the New Deck tab.
Does the countdown timer save my settings?
Yes. Your chosen timer duration and colour theme are saved in your browser's local storage and will be remembered the next time you visit the site on the same device.
Can I use this at a large conference or event?
Absolutely. The tool was designed with exactly this use case in mind. For best results, use a tablet (10-inch or larger) in landscape orientation, set to maximum brightness, and held up at the side of the stage or placed on a stand facing the speaker. The Screen Wake Lock feature keeps the display on throughout the session.
5 More Minutes does not collect any personal data. No accounts are created, no analytics are sent to our servers, and no information about your card decks or timer settings leaves your device — all preferences are stored locally in your browser only.
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