This is a simple and free online timer. Enter the hours, minutes and seconds you need, press Start and an alert sounds when the time is up.
It works for cooking, workouts, study sessions, games, presentations and anything else that needs a clear time limit. The timer keeps running accurately even if you switch to another browser tab.
Use the quick links below to open ready-made timers, from 1 second to several days, or try the stopwatch, alarm clock and Pomodoro timer.
How to use the online timer
The timer is built to be understood at a glance. There is nothing to install and no account to create. Just set the time and go.
- Type the hours, minutes and seconds you want, or open one of the ready-made timers below.
- Press Start. The numbers count down in real time.
- Use Pause and Resume if you are interrupted, or Reset to start over.
- When the countdown reaches zero, an alarm sounds and your own message appears on screen.
What is a countdown timer good for?
A visible countdown makes time concrete. That is why people reach for a timer in so many situations:
- Cooking and baking: eggs, pasta, tea, rice, bread and anything in the oven.
- Studying and homework: short focused blocks followed by breaks.
- Workouts: intervals, rest periods, planks and stretching.
- Presentations and meetings: keep every speaker inside the agenda.
- Classrooms: timed activities, quizzes and group work.
- Games and sports: turn limits, penalty times and practice drills.
- Everyday life: laundry, parking, a power nap or a break from the screen.
Features
The countdown uses your device clock rather than counting ticks, so it stays accurate even when the browser tab is in the background or the page is busy. You can choose between several alarm sounds, preview them, and write your own message to show when time is up.
Switch to fullscreen for a large display that you can read from across the room, or enable the dark mode to keep your eyes comfortable in the evening. The layout adapts to phones, tablets and desktop screens.
Tips for reliable timing
- Keep the tab open and the device awake for the alarm to be able to play.
- Turn the volume up and press Test in the settings to check the sound before you rely on it.
- For very long timers, such as several hours or days, plug the device in and disable sleep mode.
- Use the quick links to jump straight to common durations, such as 5, 10, 15 or 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the timer free?
Yes. The timer is free to use and needs no registration or download.
Does it work in the background?
Yes. The countdown is based on the system clock, so it stays accurate when the tab is in the background. Keep the tab open and your device awake.
Can I change the alarm sound?
Yes. Open the settings under the timer to choose a sound and write a custom message.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The timer runs in your browser on phones, tablets and computers. There is no app, plugin or account.
How accurate is the timer?
The countdown is calculated from your device clock, so it does not drift when the tab is in the background or when the page is busy.
Can I use the timer in fullscreen?
Yes. Press the fullscreen button in the top corner of the timer to get a large display that is easy to read from a distance.
Will the alarm sound if my screen is locked?
It depends on your device. Most phones pause browser tabs when the screen locks, so keep the screen on and the tab open for reliable alerts.