How to use the online timer
- Type the length you need: hours, minutes and seconds. A 5-minute timer is the default; type 25 in the minutes box for a Pomodoro, 90 in the seconds box for a 1½-minute egg, or 1 hour 30 minutes for a bake.
- Press Start timer. The big clock begins counting down immediately and the Ends at card shows the exact clock time it will finish.
- Do something else. The browser tab's title shows the remaining time (for example 00:04:59 · Online Timer), so you can keep working in another tab or window.
- When it hits zero the box flashes, the tab title changes to ⏰, and three short beeps sound. Press Start timer again to repeat the same length, or change a number to set a new one.
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, there is no account and no app to install — though you can add this page to your home screen like an app from your browser's menu.
Quick timers
Use the share button to copy a link that opens this page with your numbers already filled in — handy to bookmark your usual lengths. Common choices:
| Timer | Typical use | Total seconds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | Plank, brushing teeth, steeping green tea | 60 |
| 2 minutes | Microwave reheats, two-minute rule for small tasks | 120 |
| 3 minutes | Soft-boiled egg (small), black tea | 180 |
| 5 minutes | Short break, French-press coffee, kids’ time-outs | 300 |
| 10 minutes | Stretching, a focused email sprint | 600 |
| 15 minutes | Power nap (shorter than a sleep cycle), resting dough | 900 |
| 20 minutes | HIIT session, the 20-20-20 eye-strain rule | 1,200 |
| 25 minutes | Pomodoro work block | 1,500 |
| 30 minutes | Laundry check, a reading block | 1,800 |
| 45 minutes | University lecture block, slow-cooker check | 2,700 |
| 1 hour | Deep-work hour, roasting vegetables | 3,600 |
| 1.5 hours | One full sleep cycle, a long exam section | 5,400 |
How the countdown works
When you press Start the page records the moment the timer should end (now plus your length) and, once a second, shows the difference between that moment and the current time. Because it compares clock times instead of counting ticks, the timer stays accurate even if your device pauses the tab for a while: when the tab wakes up, the display jumps to the correct remaining time rather than drifting. If the end time has already passed while the tab was asleep, the alarm fires as soon as the tab is active again — mobile browsers do throttle background pages, so for critical timing keep the tab in the foreground or use your phone's built-in clock as a backup.
The beeps use the browser's built-in audio synthesizer, so no sound file has to load. Browsers only allow sound after you have interacted with the page, which is why the alarm is tied to the Start button: if you open a saved link and never click anything, the timer still counts down and the tab title still changes, but it may stay silent.
Timer tips
- Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of focused work, then a 5-minute break; after four rounds take 15–30 minutes. Set 25, press Start, and when the alarm sounds change it to 5.
- Cooking: start the timer when the food goes in, not when you remember. For eggs, start counting when the water returns to a boil.
- Exercise intervals: for 40 seconds on / 20 seconds off, set 40 seconds, and press Start at the end of each rest; or set the whole round (1 minute) and treat the last 20 seconds as rest.
- Exams and presentations: set the time limit minus two minutes so the alarm is your warning, not the deadline.
- Several timers: open this page in two tabs; each tab runs its own countdown and shows its own time in the title.
Need to count up instead (how long something takes)? Note the start time and use the time calculator to find the elapsed time, or the hours calculator for work shifts. For days until an event, see the holiday countdowns.
Frequently asked questions
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs or minimize the browser?
Yes. The end time is fixed when you press Start, so the countdown stays correct in the background and the tab title keeps showing the time left. Some phones pause background tabs to save battery; the alarm then plays the moment you return to the tab.
Why is there no sound when the timer ends?
Browsers block audio on pages you have not interacted with. Press Start timer (or click anywhere on the page) at least once after opening it, check that the device is not muted, and make sure the tab is not muted in the browser (right-click the tab).
Can I pause the timer?
Not yet — this timer runs from Start to zero. To stop it, press Reset or change the time. Pressing Start again always restarts from the full length, so you can use it as a repeat button.
Is the timer accurate?
It is as accurate as your device clock, typically within a fraction of a second over an hour. The display updates once per second, so the remaining time shown is rounded down to whole seconds.
What is the longest timer I can set?
Up to 99 hours (4 days and 3 hours). For longer periods, use the countdown pages to a date, which show days as well as hours, minutes and seconds.
Last updated: October 9, 2026