How many periods are in hockey?
An NHL game is three periods of 20 minutes each, counting only actual playing time, with a rest break between periods.1 NHL intermissions run 18 minutes, or whatever length the league sets, and the intermission clock starts once the last official has left the ice.1 (NHL Rule 77)
By league and level
| Level | Periods | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHL | 3 | 20 min | –1 |
| NCAA | – | 20 min | Period count not stated in the source fetched.2 |
| US high school (NFHS) | – | 15 min (states may allow up to 17) | Period count not stated in the source fetched.2 |
| USA Hockey (youth, high school and adult) | 3 (maximum) | 20 min maximum | No national period length per age group was found; shorter periods are set locally.2,3 |
| IIHF / Olympics | 3 | 20 min | –4 |
The details
In the regular season there is no intermission before overtime: the ice is shoveled at the benches and overtime is expected to start about two minutes after regulation ends. (Rule 84)1
In the playoffs, a tied game gets a 15-minute intermission before the first overtime period. (Rule 84)1
NHL games use stop time: the game timekeeper starts the clock when the puck is dropped and stops it at the official's whistle or when a goal is scored. (Rule 34)1
During the last minute of each period the NHL game clock shows tenths of a second. (Rule 4)1
The public address announces when one minute is left in each period. (Rule 34)1
Teams switch ends for every period of regulation and, in the playoffs, for every overtime period. (Rule 86)1
USA Hockey caps a game at three 20-minute periods with 15-minute intermissions that allow an ice resurface; this is a maximum, so shorter periods are allowed.3
Under USA Hockey rules, minor, major and misconduct penalty lengths may be shortened to fit a shorter period length; NFHS and NCAA keep standard lengths.2
High school (NFHS) periods are 15 minutes, and a state association may set them as long as 17 minutes.2
NFHS rules permit a mercy rule that ends a game early; USA Hockey playing rules and NCAA rules do not have one.2
NCAA periods are 20 minutes.2
IIHF games are three 20-minute periods of actual play, with 15-minute intermissions unless the IIHF sets another length.4
The IIHF rule book governs IIHF championships, including the Olympic Winter Games tournament.4
More hockey rules
How long is a hockey game? · NHL overtime rules · Hockey rink dimensions · All hockey rules
Sources
- NHL Official Rules 2025-26 (league) · accessed 2026-10-23
- USA Hockey / NFHS Playing Rules Committees: USAH-NFHS-NCAA Rules Comparison 2026-27 (updated 9/30/2026) · accessed 2026-10-23
- USA Hockey Official Playing Rules 2025-29 (linked from usahockey.com/rulesandresources) · accessed 2026-10-23
- IIHF Official Rule Book 2026/27 · accessed 2026-10-23
Rules are paraphrased, not quoted; the rulebook wins wherever wording matters. NHL rules unless a league is named.