An AFL quarter officially lasts for 20 minutes of playing time. However, due to stoppages such as injuries, goals, and other interruptions where the clock is stopped ("time off"), the actual duration of an AFL quarter typically extends to around 25 to 30 minutes in real time.

Additional Details

• The clock is stopped during stoppages, so the 20 minutes is "playing time" only.
• After the 20 minutes of play, the quarter immediately ends when the siren sounds, but if a mark or free kick is awarded just before the siren, the kick is taken after the siren.
• There are breaks between quarters: about 6 minutes after the first and third quarters and a 20-minute halftime break.
• Including all stoppages and breaks, an entire AFL game usually lasts around 2.5 to 3 hours.

This quarter length applies to the men's AFL competition. The AFL Women's (AFLW) quarters are shorter, lasting 17 minutes plus stoppages in the last two minutes.