Contraction Timing Chart
A contraction timing chart shows how contractions typically change as labor progresses — farther apart and shorter early on, then closer together and longer as things pick up. Use it as a rough map, not a schedule.
Open the free contraction timer →Contraction timing by stage of labor
| Stage | How far apart (start to start) | How long each lasts | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early / latent labor | ~5–20 minutes, irregular | ~30–45 seconds | Mild to moderate; cervix begins to soften and open |
| Active labor | ~3–5 minutes, regular | ~45–70 seconds | Strong; hard to talk through; cervix opens more quickly |
| Transition | ~2–3 minutes | ~60–90 seconds | Very strong, close together; the shortest but most intense phase |
Mayo Clinic describes active labor as the point when contractions become stronger and closer together as the cervix opens from about 6 to 10 centimeters. The widely used 5-1-1 pattern (about 5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour) falls near the start of active labor, which is why many providers use it as a "time to head in" signal.
What to record for each contraction
A useful timing log tracks three things per contraction:
| Column | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Start time | When the contraction began |
| Duration | Start to end of that contraction |
| Interval | Start of this contraction to the start of the next (the "how far apart" number) |
Fill in several rows and the pattern reveals itself: are the intervals shrinking? Are the durations growing? That's the signal of progressing labor — see how to time contractions.
Skip the paper chart
Filling a chart in by hand during labor is error-prone. Contraction Timer keeps the chart for you: tap start and stop, and it logs duration and start-to-start interval, shows your rolling averages, watches for the 5-1-1 pattern, and produces a clean report you can share with your doctor or midwife. It's free, has no ads or sign-up, works offline, and stores everything on your own device.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are contractions in each stage of labor?
As a general guide: early (latent) labor contractions are often 5 to 20 minutes apart and 30 to 45 seconds long; active labor contractions are about 3 to 5 minutes apart and 45 to 70 seconds long; transition contractions can be about 2 to 3 minutes apart and 60 to 90 seconds long. These are averages and vary from person to person.
What should a contraction timing chart include?
For each contraction, record the start time, the duration (start to end), and the interval to the next contraction (start to start). Tracking several in a row shows whether contractions are getting longer, stronger, and closer together — the trend that matters more than any single reading.
Do I have to fill in a chart by hand?
No. A contraction timer fills the chart in for you: you tap start and stop, and it records duration, interval, and averages automatically, then produces a shareable summary for your provider.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic. Stages of labor and birth.
- Cleveland Clinic. Stages of Labor.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). How to Tell When Labor Begins.