Online Countdown Timer
Enter the minutes and seconds you need and press Start. The timer counts down to zero and lets you know when time is up. It works in any modern browser on your phone or computer, with no sign-up.
How to use the timer
- Type the minutes and seconds, or choose a quick preset.
- Press Start. The countdown begins immediately.
- Press Pause to stop the clock, then Resume to continue from where you left off.
- Press Reset at any time to go back to the time you entered.
Ideas for using a countdown timer
- Focused work blocks, such as 25 minutes of work followed by a 5 minute break.
- Exercise intervals, stretching, and rest periods between sets.
- Cooking and baking steps when your oven timer is already in use.
- Timed tests, presentations, and classroom activities.
Timers for common lengths
Each of these pages opens with the time already set, along with ideas for using that length of time.
Frequently asked questions
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer records the moment your countdown should end and measures the time left against your device's clock, so the time shown is correct whenever you look at it, even after switching tabs. The remaining time also appears in the tab title. Browsers can slow down pages in background tabs, so the alert may occasionally arrive a little late there. For the most dependable alert, keep the timer tab visible.
Will I hear an alert when the time is up?
If “Play a chime when time is up” is checked, a short chime plays when the countdown reaches zero. Make sure your device is not muted. A completion message also appears on the page. On phones and tablets, the browser may pause the page while the screen is locked, so the chime may not play until you return to it. While the timer runs, browsers that support it are asked to keep the screen awake, but your device can still turn the screen off, for example in battery saver mode.
Can I show the timer in full screen?
Yes. Press “Full screen” above the countdown to show a large, high-contrast clock that is easy to read from across a room, for example on a TV, projector, or second monitor. Start, Pause, Resume, and Reset stay available, “Edit time” lets you change the countdown without leaving full screen, and the countdown keeps running when you switch in or out. Press “Exit full screen” or the Esc key to return. Some browsers, such as Safari on iPhone, don't support full screen for web pages.
What is the longest countdown I can set?
You can enter up to 999 minutes and 59 seconds, which is just over 16 hours and 39 minutes.
Can I use the timer with a keyboard?
Yes. Use Tab to move between fields and buttons. Press Enter in the minutes or seconds field to start, and use Space or Enter on the buttons to pause, resume, or reset.