How to use the online timer
- Type the hours, minutes and seconds, or tap a preset such as 5 or 25 minutes.
- Press Start. The browser tab title shows the remaining time, so you can switch to other tabs.
- When the countdown reaches zero, an alarm sounds and the screen flashes. On phones that support it, the device also vibrates.
- Use Pause, Reset and Full screen as needed.
Popular timer uses
- Pomodoro technique: work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer 15–30 minute break.
- Classroom and meetings: project the full-screen timer for tests, presentations, group work and timeboxed agenda items.
- Cooking: eggs (soft 6–7 min, hard 10–12 min), pasta (8–12 min), steeping tea (3–5 min).
- Workouts: plank holds, rest periods and stretching.
- Kids: screen-time limits, tidy-up races and turn-taking.
Will the alarm work if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer is based on the real clock, not on counting ticks, so it stays accurate even when the tab is in the background or your computer is busy. Keep your volume on and don’t close the tab. On phones, the screen must stay on — locking the phone may pause the browser.
Share a timer
Add ?m=10 to the page address to open the timer set to 10 minutes (or ?s=90 for seconds) — handy for bookmarks or sending to a class.
Need to measure elapsed time instead? Use the online stopwatch with lap times.
Frequently asked questions
Does the timer make a sound?
Yes. An alarm beeps several times when the countdown ends. Make sure your device volume is on.
Does the timer keep running in a background tab?
Yes. It uses the system clock, so it stays accurate in the background. Don’t close the tab.
Can I use it full screen?
Yes. Press Full screen — ideal for classrooms, gyms and meetings.
How do I set a 25-minute Pomodoro timer?
Tap the 25 min preset and press Start.