diff --git a/src/lib/screens/GameScreen.svelte b/src/lib/screens/GameScreen.svelte
index 9e02972..e292b84 100644
--- a/src/lib/screens/GameScreen.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/screens/GameScreen.svelte
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
   let lastBumpKey = $state(0);
   let lastCountdownTickAt = $state(0);
+  let lastStartTick = $state(0);
 
   function handleAnswer(value: number) {
     play('tap');
@@ -41,6 +42,14 @@
     }
   });
 
+  // Start-Countdown: pro neuer Zahl (3/2/1) ein Tick-Sound.
+  $effect(() => {
+    if ($game.status === 'countdown' && $game.countdown !== lastStartTick) {
+      lastStartTick = $game.countdown;
+      play('countdown');
+    }
+  });
+
   // Countdown letzte 5 Sekunden
   $effect(() => {
     if ($game.status !== 'running') return;
@@ -90,16 +99,49 @@
       {/if}
     </main>
   </div>
+
+  {#if $game.status === 'countdown'}
+    <div class="countdown" aria-hidden="true">
+      {#key $game.countdown}
+        <span class="count">{$game.countdown}</span>
+      {/key}
+    </div>
+  {/if}
 </div>
 
 <style>
   .screen {
+    position: relative;
     height: 100%;
     display: grid;
     grid-template-rows: auto 1fr;
     padding: 12px;
     gap: 8px;
   }
+  .countdown {
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0;
+    display: grid;
+    place-items: center;
+    background: rgba(8, 14, 34, 0.55);
+    backdrop-filter: blur(2px);
+    z-index: 10;
+    pointer-events: none;
+  }
+  .count {
+    font-size: clamp(120px, 32vw, 320px);
+    font-weight: 900;
+    color: white;
+    text-shadow: 0 8px 28px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
+    /* Jede Zahl frisch animiert (per {#key}): groß rein, leicht raus. */
+    animation: tick 1s ease-out both;
+  }
+  @keyframes tick {
+    0%   { transform: scale(0.3); opacity: 0; }
+    20%  { transform: scale(1.1); opacity: 1; }
+    70%  { transform: scale(1); opacity: 1; }
+    100% { transform: scale(0.85); opacity: 0; }
+  }
   .topbar {
     display: flex;
     justify-content: flex-end;
diff --git a/src/lib/stores/game.ts b/src/lib/stores/game.ts
index d4e84cb..5f1cb0b 100644
--- a/src/lib/stores/game.ts
+++ b/src/lib/stores/game.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { isWin, stageFor } from '../game/stages';
 import { settings } from './settings';
 import { recordResult } from './progress';
 
-export type GameStatus = 'idle' | 'running' | 'won' | 'timeout';
+export type GameStatus = 'idle' | 'countdown' | 'running' | 'won' | 'timeout';
 
 export type GameState = {
   status: GameStatus;
@@ -17,8 +17,11 @@ export type GameState = {
   lastWasCorrect: boolean | null;
   stageBumpKey: number; // monoton wachsend → triggert FX-Animation
   deck: TaskDeck | null; // Ziehbeutel für abwechslungsreiche Aufgabenfolge
+  countdown: number; // 3..1 während des Start-Countdowns, sonst 0
 };
 
+const COUNTDOWN_FROM = 3;
+
 const initial: GameState = {
   status: 'idle',
   target: null,
@@ -30,6 +33,7 @@ const initial: GameState = {
   lastWasCorrect: null,
   stageBumpKey: 0,
   deck: null,
+  countdown: 0,
 };
 
 export const game = writable<GameState>(initial);
@@ -38,6 +42,7 @@ export const timeLeftSeconds = derived(game, ($g) => Math.max(0, Math.ceil($g.ti
 
 let tickHandle: number | null = null;
 let lastTickAt = 0;
+let countdownHandle: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null;
 
 function clearTick() {
   if (tickHandle !== null) {
@@ -46,6 +51,13 @@ function clearTick() {
   }
 }
 
+function clearCountdown() {
+  if (countdownHandle !== null) {
+    clearTimeout(countdownHandle);
+    countdownHandle = null;
+  }
+}
+
 function tick() {
   const now = performance.now();
   const delta = now - lastTickAt;
@@ -78,10 +90,13 @@ function finalize() {
 
 export function startGame(target: Target): void {
   clearTick();
+  clearCountdown();
   const totalMs = get(settings).roundSeconds * 1000;
   const { task: firstTask, deck } = drawTask(createDeck(target));
+  // Erst ein 3-2-1-Countdown, damit das Kind sich auf den Start einstellen kann.
+  // Der Rundentimer läuft erst, wenn der Countdown durch ist (status → 'running').
   game.set({
-    status: 'running',
+    status: 'countdown',
     target,
     task: firstTask,
     prevTask: null,
@@ -91,9 +106,26 @@ export function startGame(target: Target): void {
     lastWasCorrect: null,
     stageBumpKey: 0,
     deck,
+    countdown: COUNTDOWN_FROM,
   });
-  lastTickAt = performance.now();
-  tickHandle = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
+  scheduleCountdownStep();
+}
+
+function scheduleCountdownStep(): void {
+  countdownHandle = setTimeout(() => {
+    countdownHandle = null;
+    const g = get(game);
+    if (g.status !== 'countdown') return;
+    const next = g.countdown - 1;
+    if (next > 0) {
+      game.update((s) => ({ ...s, countdown: next }));
+      scheduleCountdownStep();
+    } else {
+      game.update((s) => ({ ...s, status: 'running', countdown: 0 }));
+      lastTickAt = performance.now();
+      tickHandle = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
+    }
+  }, 1000);
 }
 
 export function answer(value: number): void {
@@ -134,5 +166,6 @@ export function answer(value: number): void {
 
 export function abortGame(): void {
   clearTick();
+  clearCountdown();
   game.set(initial);
 }