Board Game Night Duration Planner

Avoid late nights by estimating the full length of your board game meet-up, including explanation time, resets, and breaks.

Total titles you expect to play.
Mean play length once rules are known.
Extra time for setup and rules per game as a percentage of playtime.
Snacks, stretch, or dinner breaks added to the schedule.
Optional. Leave blank for 10 minutes to reset between games.

Examples

  • 5 games, 60 min average, 15% teach buffer, 30 min breaks, 8 min turnover ⇒ Result: 395 minutes
  • 3 games, 90 min average, 20% buffer, 20 min breaks, default turnover ⇒ Result: 344 minutes

FAQ

How do I plan simultaneous tables?

Divide players into parallel tables and reduce the game count per table accordingly, then rerun the calculation for each table.

Can I include setup for tournaments?

Yes. Increase the turnover minutes to cover pairings and bracket updates between rounds.

What if we finish early?

Use the buffer time as free play or social time. It is better to plan generously than to rush through games.

Additional Information

  • Output is the total planned duration in minutes for all games, teaching, resets, and breaks.
  • Adjust the turnover time to account for table cleanup, seating swaps, or recording scores between rounds.
  • Divide the total minutes by 60 to convert into hours for invites or event listings.
  • Use shorter teach buffers for experienced groups and longer ones for heavy strategy games.