What Is Stoppage Time in Football? How It Is Added
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TL;DR
Stoppage time replaces time lost during a half. Delays can come from injuries, substitutions, goals, disciplinary action, video reviews and prolonged celebrations. The displayed figure is a minimum, not a hard cap.
How the referee calculates it
The referee tracks significant delays and communicates the minimum added time to the fourth official. The amount can differ between halves and matches. A half may continue beyond the displayed number if another delay occurs during added time.
Why it is not exact to the second
Football is not stopped and restarted for every small interruption. The Laws give the referee control over the duration, while the competition’s timekeeping team supports the announcement and public display.
Can added time be extended?
Yes. The announced number is a minimum. A substitution, injury or review during stoppage time can require more time before the half ends.
Added time is not a second clock
The referee ends the half when the minimum time and any further delays have been allowed for; the stadium display is a communication aid, not a separate authority.
See what VAR means in football, what offside means, what a clean sheet is and what xG means.
Reviewed September 29, 2026.
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