If you are new to the game or just want a clear look at the rules, one of the most common questions fans ask is simple: How many periods are in hockey?
This guide breaks down hockey periods, how long games last, overtime, and how rules change across leagues in the United States and Canada.
How Many Periods Are in Hockey?
Short answer: Ice hockey is played in three periods, and each one lasts 20 minutes of game time. This format is the standard for professional, amateur, and international hockey, including leagues in both the US and Canada.
How Long Is a Hockey Period?
In a normal game, a hockey period lasts:
- 20 minutes of actual clock time.
- The clock stops for every whistle, penalty, goal, and video review.
- Because of these stops, the real-world time is usually 30–40 minutes per period.
Total Regulation Time 3 periods × 20 minutes = 60 minutes of total gameplay.
How Long Is a Hockey Game?
While the playing time is 60 minutes, a full hockey game takes much longer because of breaks and pauses.
Average Hockey Game Duration
- Gameplay: 60 minutes.
- Intermissions: Two breaks that last 15–18 minutes each.
- Real-time duration: Usually 2.5 to 3 hours.
This is the standard for most professional games in the United States and Canada.
What Happens Between Hockey Periods?
Between the periods, teams take intermissions that are used for several things:
- Ice resurfacing with a Zamboni to make the ice smooth again.
- Player rest and time for coaches to talk about strategy.
- TV commercials and fun entertainment for fans in the arena.
These breaks are very important for keeping the ice in good shape and letting players recover.
How Many Periods Are in NHL Hockey?
In the National Hockey League, the rules stay the same:
- 3 periods per game.
- 20 minutes for each period.
- This same structure is used for both the regular season and the playoffs.
The NHL rules are followed by most other pro and semi-pro leagues in North America.
How Many Periods Are in College and Youth Hockey?
Hockey rules are mostly the same for all ages, but the length of the periods can change.
Common Youth and Amateur Formats
- Youth leagues: Often use 12–15 minute periods.
- High school hockey: Usually 15–17 minutes.
- College hockey: Uses 3 periods of 20 minutes each.
Many youth leagues also use a running clock to make sure games finish on time.
How Many Periods Are in International Hockey?
International hockey games, like the Olympics, also follow the standard:
- 3 periods.
- 20 minutes per period.
While the rules for overtime might be different, the 60 minutes of regular play is the same everywhere.
| Feature | NHL (Regular Season) | IIHF / Olympics (2026) |
| Shootout Rounds | 3 rounds | 5 rounds |
| Shootout Repeaters | Entire roster must go once before a player can repeat | A coach can choose the same player repeatedly after the first 5 rounds |
| Elimination Overtime | 20-minute sudden death (5v5) | 10-minute period (3v3) followed by a shootout |
| Gold Medal Game | N/A | Unlimited 20-minute periods (3v3) until a goal is scored |
What Happens If a Hockey Game Is Tied?
If the score is even at the end of the third period, the game goes into overtime.
Overtime Rules (North America)
- Regular season: A short sudden-death overtime period, followed by a shootout if no one scores.
- Playoffs: Continuous sudden-death overtime. Each extra period is 20 minutes, and the first team to score a goal wins the game.
How Many Periods Are in The Playoffs?
Playoff games start with the usual three regulation periods, but they can go much longer.
- Each overtime period is 20 minutes long.
- Games can last through many overtime periods if nobody scores.
- Some long playoff games can last over 4 or 5 hours in total.
Why Does Hockey Have Three Periods?
Hockey uses three periods for a few simple reasons:
- Keeps the ice clean by allowing for more resurfacing.
- Gives players time to rest after playing very hard.
- Allows more time for coaches to change their game plan.
Over time, this three-period style has worked better than using halves or quarters.
Hockey Periods vs Other Sports
Here is how hockey compares to other popular sports in the US and Canada:
- Hockey: three 20-minute periods for a total of 60 minutes of play.
- Basketball: four 12-minute quarters for a total of 48 minutes of play.
- Football: four 15-minute quarters for a total of 60 minutes of play.
- Soccer: two 45-minute halves plus add-on time for a total of 90 minutes plus extra time of play.
Hockey is the only major sport that uses three periods instead of quarters or halves.
Final Takeaway
Whether you are watching a kids’ game in Canada or the pros in the US, the setup is the same:
- 3 periods.
- 20 minutes per period.
- 60 minutes of total playing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many periods are there? A hockey game always has three periods.
- How long is each period in hockey? Every period is 20 minutes long on the clock.
- Is hockey played in halves or quarters? No. Hockey is played in periods.
- Can hockey games have more than three periods? Yes. Overtime can add extra periods, especially during the playoffs.
- How long does a hockey game last in real time? Most pro games take 2.5 to 3 hours to finish.
