Skip to content
Free tools

Equal playing time calculator

Seven players for 5-a-side, ten for a game of seven? Type who's playing and how long the game is, and get every change: who comes off, who goes on and when, so everyone plays the same minutes. Free, no sign-up.

The keeper

Everyone except the keeper plays exactly 26:40.

The changes

  1. 0:00 – 13:20

    Sam, Ollie, Kofi, Priya, Dan

  2. 13:20 – 26:40

    Off: Ollie, Kofi · On: Aisha, Tom

    Sam, Priya, Dan, Aisha, Tom

  3. 26:40 – 40:00

    Off: Priya, Dan · On: Ollie, Kofi

    Sam, Aisha, Tom, Ollie, Kofi

Minutes each

  • Sam (GK)40:00
  • Ollie26:40
  • Kofi26:40
  • Priya26:40
  • Dan26:40
  • Aisha26:40
  • Tom26:40

How it works

The game is cut into equal spells. At each change the same number of players come off and the same number go on, and the ones who've been on longest come off first. Choose the number of spells marked exactly equal and every player plays to the second the same time.

With one keeper all game, put them first in the list: they stay in goal and everyone else rotates. If the keeper rotates too, whoever's in goal changes with the spells; agree who goes in at each change.

  • 7 players, 5-a-side, 40 minutes, keeper rotating: 7 spells of about 5 minutes 43, two changes each time, everyone plays 28 minutes 34.
  • 6 players, 5-a-side, 40 minutes, one keeper all game: 5 outfielders share 4 places over 5 spells of 8 minutes, so each plays 32 minutes.
  • 10 players, 7-a-side, 50 minutes, one keeper: 9 share 6 places over 3 spells, 33 minutes 20 each.

Making it work on the night

Send the changes to the group chat before kick-off so nobody argues about whose turn it is, and give one person on the side a watch. Rolling subs are normal in small-sided football, so changes don't have to wait for the ball to go out unless your venue's rules say so.

If people turn up late, type the new list and set the minutes left: it shares out the rest of the game, not the minutes already played. For kids' teams, many leagues ask for every child to play a minimum share of each game: equal shares give everyone the most time possible, so if your numbers can meet the minimum, this does. With a lot of subs, check the minutes each against your league's rule.

Set up for your size, with the numbers worked out: 5-a-side, 6-a-side and 7-a-side.

The teams, too

Splitting the group into two sides first? The team generator makes two fair teams from a rough level for each player, and the lineup builder draws the starting shape. If it's the same group every week, Squadcard handles who's in and picks fair teams from the ratings the players give each other.

Start a squad

Questions

Is the equal playing time calculator free?

Yes. No sign-up, and the names stay in your browser.

How do you give everyone equal playing time with rolling subs?

Cut the game into equal spells and change the same number of players each time, longest-on first. With the right number of spells (the calculator marks it), every player gets exactly the same minutes.

How long does each player play?

The game length times the places on the pitch, divided by the number of players. With a keeper who stays in goal, it's worked out for the outfield places and players only.

Does it work for kids' football?

Yes. Many junior leagues ask for every child to play a fair share of each game; equal minutes for everyone meets that.

What if someone arrives late?

Type the new list of who's there and the minutes left, and it works out the changes for the rest of the game.