What should my timing be set at?

There isn’t a universal timing setting. For photography, start with a shutter speed around 1/60–1/250 second to suit the scene; for cooking, rely on recipe times and safe internal temperatures; for home timers and devices, use task-specific durations and adjust for conditions. The best setting depends on the activity, light, pace, and equipment.

Timing decisions vary by context and goal. This article walks through common domains—photography, cooking, and home timers—so you can pick sensible baselines and refine them as you gain experience and observe results.

Photography timing: choosing shutter speed and exposure duration

To establish a starting point for capture, consider the subject's motion, light level, and whether you want crisp freezes or deliberate blur. The following guidelines help you dial in timing quickly.

Starting points for timing

• Action and fast motion (sports, runners, vehicles): 1/1000 to 1/2000 second to freeze movement.


• Moderate motion (panning, flowing water with blur): 1/125 to 1/500 second depending on subject and desired effect.


• Portraits with minimal motion: 1/125 to 1/250 second to keep subjects sharp in typical room lighting.


• Everyday handheld shots in good light: 1/60 to 1/125 second as a comfortable baseline.


• Low-light handheld with stabilization: 1/30 to 1/60 second, raising ISO or wider aperture as needed.


• Tripod or static landscapes with long exposure: 1/15 to 1/60 second for natural motion effects or sharp skies, depending on scene.

In practice, these are starting points. Always review your histogram and take test shots to verify exposure and motion rendering, then adjust ISO, aperture, or length of exposure accordingly.

Cooking timing: following recipes and achieving the right doneness

Cooking timing hinges on recipe instructions, equipment performance, and food safety. Use published baselines as a guide, then confirm doneness with temperature checks and visual cues. The following guidelines provide a practical framework for common tasks.

Starting points for kitchen timing

• Whole chicken (unstuffed): roast at about 375°F (190°C) for roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, until an internal thermometer reads 165°F (74°C).


• Pork loin: roast at 350°F (175°C) for roughly 25–30 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C); rest before carving.


• Beef roast (medium doneness): roast at 350°F (175°C) for about 20–25 minutes per pound, target internal temperature 140–145°F (60–63°C) for medium; adjust to your preferred doneness.


• Pasta: cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8–12 minutes, then taste and adjust timing if needed.


• Bakery items (cakes, muffins): bake at 325–375°F (160–190°C) for the time range specified in the recipe, then test with a toothpick or finger test for doneness.


• Roasted vegetables: 20–40 minutes at 425°F (220°C), tossing halfway for even browning.

These times are ballpark estimates; always rely on internal temperature guidelines for safety and on sensory cues (touch, color, aroma) to finish dishes properly. When in doubt, use a thermometer and follow manufacturer or recipe directions for best results.

Home timers and automation: irrigation and device runtimes

For home timers and irrigation controllers, durations should reflect plant needs, soil type, climate, and sun exposure. Start with conservative runtimes and adjust after monitoring soil moisture and plant response. Modern timers can also use weather data to optimize watering and device usage.

Starting points for device timers

• Lawn irrigation: run cycles totaling roughly 8–15 minutes per zone per cycle, with 2–3 cycles per watering period in hot, dry conditions; water in early morning to reduce evaporation.


• Garden beds and containers: 5–15 minutes per zone, depending on emitter flow rate and soil type; soak cycles can improve absorption.


• Drip irrigation: 5–20 minutes per zone to deliver a steady supply without runoff; check for uniform coverage.


• Smart timers and weather-based controllers: lean on forecasts and recent rainfall, adjusting run times accordingly; enable alerts for leaks or unusual consumption.


• Avoid watering at peak sun hours: schedule irrigation for early morning or late evening to maximize efficiency and reduce evaporation.

Begin with these baselines and fine-tune based on observed soil moisture, plant vigor, and water bills. Regular calibration—each season or after changing plants—helps keep timing effective and efficient.

Additional considerations: testing and calibration across tasks

Irrespective of category, the best timing comes from testing, observation, and adjustment. Photography benefits from reviewing histograms and test shots; cooking benefits from thermometer readings and texture checks; timers benefit from monitoring moisture, energy use, and plant or animal response. Keep notes on settings and outcomes to improve consistency over time.

Summary

Setting timing correctly means matching the duration to the task at hand. Use representative baselines as starting points—shutter speeds for photography, recipe-based times for cooking, and zone-by-zone runtimes for timers. Then test, observe results, and adjust to match your equipment, environment, and goals. With careful calibration, you’ll arrive at reliable, repeatable outcomes across activities.

What rpm should timing be set at?

You set total timing at a high RPM, typically 2,500 to 3,500 RPM, to ensure all advance mechanisms are active. At this RPM, you adjust the distributor until the timing mark on the harmonic balancer aligns with the desired degree mark (e.g., 32−3632 minus 3632−36 degrees). This process sets the "total advance," which is crucial for optimal engine performance and efficiency, while initial timing is set at idle. 
Steps to set timing at higher RPM

• Warm up the engine: to its normal operating temperature. 
• Disconnect and plug the vacuum advance: line to ensure only mechanical advance is functioning. 
• Set the timing light to 000 degrees: or the desired total advance for your engine. 
• Increase the engine's RPM: to the target range of 2,5002 comma 5002,500 to 3,5003 comma 5003,500 RPM. Some engines may require up to 4,0004 comma 0004,000 RPM for the timing to be "all in". 
• Observe the timing mark: on the harmonic balancer with the timing light. 
• Adjust the distributor: until the timing mark aligns with the desired degree setting. 
• Tighten the distributor hold-down clamp: to lock the timing in place. 
• Reconnect the vacuum advance: line. The timing will change at idle after this, which is normal. 

How to determine the correct total timing

• Consult a service manual: for your specific vehicle for factory recommendations. 
• Use a common starting point: for many street engines, such as 323232 to 363636 degrees of total advance, and tune from there. 
• Experiment: to find the best timing for your specific engine combination. 
• Reduce timing: if you hear "pinging" or "detonation" under load; increase it if the engine feels sluggish. 

How do I know if my timing is correct?

Common Symptoms of Engine Timing Problems
Misfires often happen when the timing is off, causing the spark plugs to fire too early or too late. If you experience uneven idling, hesitation during acceleration, or a noticeable drop in engine power, a misfire due to timing problems could be the culprit.

How to properly set ignition timing?

To set ignition timing, warm the engine, disconnect the vacuum advance, loosen the distributor, and connect a timing light to cylinder #1. With the engine running, use the timing light to aim at the harmonic balancer and adjust the distributor until the timing mark aligns with the desired initial timing degree. For an initial start-up without a timing light, you can set the timing by hand until you see a spark, which you can then use as a starting point.
 
This video demonstrates how to set ignition timing with a distributor: 32sHolleyYouTube · Mar 10, 2020
Detailed steps for setting ignition timing with a timing light

1. Prepare the engine and tools: Warm the engine to operating temperature. Gather your tools, including a timing light, and disconnect and plug the vacuum advance line from the distributor. 
2. Connect the timing light: Clamp the timing light's pickup to the #1 spark plug wire and connect the power and ground leads to the battery. 
3. Locate the timing marks: Find the timing marks on the harmonic balancer and the corresponding pointer on the engine. You may need to use a marker to highlight the specific degree you want to set. 
4. Loosen the distributor: Loosen the distributor's hold-down clamp enough to allow it to be rotated, but not so much that it's completely loose. 
5. Start the engine: Start the engine and have a helper rev it to the RPM specified in your vehicle's manual (or around 3500−40003500 minus 40003500−4000 RPM for a typical engine). 
6. Adjust the timing: While the engine is running at the correct RPM, use the timing light to see the timing mark on the balancer. Slowly rotate the distributor until the mark on the balancer aligns with the desired degree mark on the pointer. For initial timing, aim for the initial static timing specified in your manual (e.g., 8∘8 raised to the composed with power8∘ BTDC for a small block Chevy). 
7. Set total timing (optional): If you're aiming for maximum performance, follow the steps for total timing. With the engine at 3500−40003500 minus 40003500−4000 RPM, adjust the distributor until the timing stops increasing. The timing should be at the total advance specified in your manual (e.g., 34−36∘34 minus 36 raised to the composed with power34−36∘ for a small block Chevy). 
8. Finalize the timing: Once the timing is set, tighten the distributor hold-down clamp, turn off the engine, and reconnect the vacuum advance line. 
9. Verify and test: Start the engine and re-check the timing with the timing light to make sure it hasn't moved. Take the vehicle for a test drive and listen for any spark knock or other issues. 

Setting ignition timing without a timing light

1. Identify cylinder #1: Find the #1 cylinder spark plug and wire. 
2. Set the engine to TDC: Manually rotate the engine until cylinder #1 is on its compression stroke. A puff of air will come out when you cover the spark plug hole with your finger as the piston rises. 
3. Loosen the distributor: Loosen the distributor hold-down clamp enough to allow it to be turned by hand. 
4. Adjust the distributor: While turning the distributor back and forth, watch for a spark at the #1 spark plug. Rotate the distributor in small increments until you get a spark at the desired timing position. 
5. Tighten the distributor: Once the timing is set, tighten the distributor hold-down clamp and re-connect the spark plug wire. 
6. Start the engine: Start the engine and check for any spark knock or other issues. 

How to tell if timing is too far advanced?

What are the signs of incorrect ignition timing in an engine? Some incorrect timing symptoms can include engine knocking or pinging, a loss of power or acceleration, decreased fuel economy, an overheating engine or rough idle.