Best Google Slides Timer Extension in 2026 (Free Chrome Install Guide)

Quick Summary: 3 Steps to Add a Timer

Step 1

Open the Chrome Web Store listing

Search for Live Slides Timer or open the official store page, then click Add to Chrome.

Step 2

Confirm permissions and pin if desired

Accept the install prompt. Pin the extension for quick access to the Tag Builder and settings popup.

Step 3

Open Google Slides and type a tag

In any text box, type {{5:00-}} then start Slideshow. The tag becomes a live countdown immediately.

What Is a Google Slides Timer Extension?

A Google Slides timer extension is a Chrome (or Chromium) add-on that turns placeholder text on your slides into a live countdown, stopwatch, or clock while you present. Unlike embedding a YouTube video, the timer is part of the slide itself—so your audience sees the same digits you see, with no ads and no buffering spinner.

If you searched for google slides timer extension, you usually need three things: a free install from the Chrome Web Store, a simple way to put a timer on a slide, and reliable behavior in full-screen Slideshow mode.

What to Look for Before You Install

Works after install without restarting Chrome — older tools often ask you to refresh every open presentation tab.
Audience-visible timer — digits render on the slide canvas, not only in speaker notes.
Sound and auto-advance options — bell chime (|@) and next-slide (|]) when time hits zero.
Privacy — preferences stay on-device; no slide content uploaded.
Tag builder — a popup or floating UI so you do not have to memorize every symbol.

Recommended Extension: Live Slides Timer

Live Slides Timer is a free Chrome Web Store extension built for exactly this job. Default tags use {{ }} (you can switch to legacy << >> in the popup). After install, open any Google Slides deck and start presenting—no mandatory browser restart.

Install in Under a Minute

Open the Live Slides Timer page on the Chrome Web Store.
Click Add to Chrome and confirm.
Open (or keep open) your Google Slides presentation.
Add a text box and type {{5:00-}}.
Click Slideshow. The placeholder becomes a live 5-minute countdown.

Optional: open the extension popup to tweak shortcuts (default: Y pause/resume, R reset) and delimiter style.

Extension vs YouTube Countdown Video

Many “how to add a timer” articles still recommend Insert → Video → YouTube. That hack fails in real rooms: ads, Wi-Fi buffering, fixed durations, and no auto-advance. A dedicated google slides timer extension keeps timing inside the deck—offline-capable once loaded, brandable fonts/colors, and trigger modifiers for sound and navigation.

For a full side-by-side, see our comparison of Live Slides Timer vs YouTube countdown embeds.

Quick Tag Cheat Sheet

{{5:00-}} — countdown
{{0:00+}} — stopwatch
{{now}} — live clock
{{5:00-|@]}} — countdown + bell + auto-advance

Prefer clicking instead of typing? Use the online Tag Generator, copy the result into a text box, then present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Live Slides Timer free?

Yes. Install from the Chrome Web Store at no cost. Preferences are stored locally on your device.

Does it work in Microsoft Edge or Brave?

Yes. Any Chromium browser that can install Chrome Web Store extensions can run Live Slides Timer.

How is this different from ClayCodes Slides Timer?

Live Slides Timer emphasizes instant activation after install, a built-in local bell sound, an on-slide Tag Builder, and modern {{ }} syntax while remaining compatible with << >> tags. See our detailed comparison page for a feature matrix.