# Allow overlapping time slots

Overlapping time slots lets customers choose **more start times** for the same service duration. It’s great when you want flexible booking times like **9:00, 9:15, 9:30…** instead of only **9:00, 10:00, 11:00**.

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### ✅  How it works

Your service still keeps the same duration (example: 60 minutes).\
Overlapping only changes how frequently start times appear.

#### Example (60-minute service)

**Without overlapping**\
Customers see slots every 60 minutes: **9:00, 10:00, 11:00** 

**With overlapping (every 15 minutes)**\
Customers see more start times: **9:00, 9:15, 9:30, 9:45, 10:00…** 

⇒ This gives customers more flexibility to book a time that fits their schedule.

<figure><img src="https://2420234940-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1ux6d1pfkKFKCAAHuj8H%2Fuploads%2Fx1Tmo1NPyp6JX58SgOWn%2F2025-08-06_16-34-42.png?alt=media&#x26;token=133f99c7-0654-4d43-bce4-6ef5e25c8a15" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### **💡** When to use this setting

Use **Allow overlapping** if you want:

* More booking options
* Busy schedules where customers need flexibility
* Services like **haircuts, consultations, yoga classes**, etc.

Avoid very small intervals (like 5 minutes) unless you truly need it, your booking list can become too long.

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### 🛠️ Set up overlapping time slots

1. Open the app > click **Settings** > **Advanced** > scroll down to **Allow flexible time slots**
2. Select option **Allow overlapping**
3. Select **Time stepping**
4. Click **Save**

<figure><img src="https://2420234940-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1ux6d1pfkKFKCAAHuj8H%2Fuploads%2FV2pSxjGkFxVCOYtGdriE%2F2025-11-03_14-22-10.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ba548a74-f7b9-411b-b866-07b5d821b516" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Example**

If you set:

* **Service duration:** 60 minutes
* **Time stepping:** 15 minutes

Customers may see available start times like:\
**9:00, 9:15, 9:30, 9:45, 10:00, 10:15…**

Each booking still lasts **60 minutes**, but customers can start at more times.

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### 📌 Important notes

* **Overlapping slots do NOT mean double booking.**\
  A booking still blocks the full service duration.
* If you allow overlapping but still don’t see extra slots, check:
  * staff availability hours
  * blocked time/off dates
  * booking date range limits
  * service duration (very long durations naturally reduce available starts)

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**🙋 Still need support?**

If you still need help, please feel free to contact us at <hi@tipo.io>. We’ll be happy to assist you further.