Polingo
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Scattergories Timer
A free online replacement for the sand timer — with the official 3 minute round length, faster presets, and a buzzer everyone can hear.
3:00
Official round length
How long is a round of Scattergories?
Three minutes, and in that time you're filling in all 12 categories on the list with answers that start with the rolled letter. It sounds generous until the die lands on Q. A standard game is 3 rounds — about 20 to 30 minutes once you include reading answers out and scoring them.
| Round length | What it's for |
|---|---|
| 3:00 | The official length. Most players finish most categories. |
| 2:30 | A common house rule — noticeably tighter, still fair. |
| 2:00 | Hard mode. Expect blanks, which is the point. |
| 1:00 | Blitz rounds with a short category list, or with kids. |
Why the timer matters more than it looks
Scattergories only rewards answers nobody else wrote, so the clock isn't really about speed — it's about how long you can afford to think. With 3 minutes you can bank the obvious answers early and spend the rest hunting for something original. Cut it to 2 minutes and everyone writes the first thing that comes to mind, which means more matches and lower scores all round. If your games feel like everyone keeps writing "Apple", a longer timer will fix it faster than any house rule.
Lost the sand timer?
The timer above works on any phone or laptop, and unlike the original everyone at the table can see it. Set it to 3:00, press Start, and play as normal. It keeps accurate time even if your screen dims, and the buzzer sounds the moment the round ends.
Playing with friends who aren't in the room? The online version runs the timer for everyone at once and scores every round automatically.
▶ Play Scattergories online — freeThe timer in the online game
When you play Scattergories online here, the host sets the seconds per round before starting and the same countdown runs on every player's screen, synced by the server. No one has to watch the sand or call time. You can pick anything from a 30 second sprint to the full 3 minutes — and because scoring is automatic, the round ends and results appear immediately. New to the game? Start with the full rules and scoring guide, or grab a category list from the generator.
Scattergories timer FAQ
How long is the Scattergories timer?
Three minutes. That's the official round length in Hasbro's rules and the run time of the sand timer included in the box. Many groups play 2½ or 2 minutes instead for a harder game.
How long is a round of Scattergories?
One round is 3 minutes, during which each player fills in all 12 categories. A standard game is 3 rounds, so roughly 20–30 minutes including scoring.
Can you change the Scattergories timer?
Yes. Three minutes is official, but 2½ and 2 minutes are common house rules. Online you can set any round length the host likes.
What can I use instead of the sand timer?
Any 3 minute timer — a phone, a kitchen timer, or the free timer at the top of this page. Playing online at Polingo runs it automatically for everyone at once.
How many rounds are in a game?
Three is standard, each with a different letter, and the highest total across all rounds wins. Online the host chooses — 5 rounds is a popular setting.