Law 8: Playing Time, Tied Score and Overtime

The game consists of 4 quarters of 10 minutes each; 12-minute quarters are the NBA's.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.1 · recall

Four quarters of 10 minutes make 40 minutes of playing time.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.1 · applied

There is an interval of play of 20 minutes before the game is scheduled to start.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.2 · recall

The 2-minute intervals come between the 1st and 2nd quarters, the 3rd and 4th, and before each overtime.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.3 · recall

An interval of play starts when the game clock signal sounds for the end of the quarter or overtime.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.5 · recall

Half-time lasts 15 minutes, the pre-game interval 20.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.2, 8.4 · applied

Free throws for a technical, flagrant or disqualifying foul in an interval are taken before the next quarter or overtime.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.9 · applied

The game opens with its pre-game interval; half-time follows the 2nd quarter.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.1-8.4 · recall

2 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.2-8.4 · recall

C, between the 2nd and 3rd quarters, is half-time: 15 minutes. A is 20 minutes, B and D are 2.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.4 · applied

Overtimes last 5 minutes each.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.7 · recall

The game continues with as many 5-minute overtimes as necessary to break the tie.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.7 · recall

If the aggregate is tied at the end of the second game, that game continues with as many overtimes as necessary.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.7 · applied

If a foul is committed near the end of a quarter or overtime, the referee determines the remaining playing time.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.8 · recall

A minimum of 0.1 second is shown on the game clock. (0.3 seconds is a different limit, for a shot.)

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.8 · recall

Every overtime is preceded by a 2-minute interval, and overtimes go on until the tie is broken.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.3, 8.7 · applied

Such fouls in an interval are penalised before play restarts, as the half-time example shows.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.9 · recall

The referee sets the remaining time, never less than a tenth of a second.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.8 · applied

2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.1, 8.3, 8.4, 8.7 · recall

A tie at the end of the 4th quarter means overtime, after the 2-minute interval before it.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 8.3, 8.7 · applied