How to use the countdown timer
- Tap a preset such as 5 min or 10 min – it starts right away. Or type hours, minutes and seconds and press Start.
- Press Start again to pause, and once more to carry on. Reset takes you back to the time you set.
- When the timer reaches zero, an alarm beeps and the time flashes. Press Stop alarm to silence it.
- Use Fullscreen to show a huge timer on a projector, TV or classroom screen.
You can also open a ready-made timer from a link. For example, minutesgame.com/countdown-timer/?m=25 opens a 25-minute timer – handy for bookmarking the timer you use most.
Ideas for using an online timer
- Exam practice: set the exact time of a real paper, such as 60 minutes for an SSC tier or 3 hours for a board exam, and practise under pressure.
- Classrooms: give students 5 minutes for a quick quiz or group activity and show the timer on the board.
- Cooking: boiled eggs, instant noodles, pressure-cooker rest time or tea brewing.
- Workouts: planks, rest breaks between sets, or a quick 10-minute stretch.
- Meetings and presentations: keep each speaker to their slot.
- Screen time: tell kids they have 20 more minutes of cartoons – and let the alarm be the "bad guy".
Is the timer accurate?
Yes. Instead of counting ticks, the timer notes the exact moment it should finish and checks the clock many times a second. So even if your browser slows down a background tab to save battery, the time shown is correct as soon as you look again. For the alarm to be heard, keep the tab open and your device's volume up. On some phones the browser pauses completely when the screen is locked, so keep the screen on for important timings.
Tips
- Press the Space bar to start or pause without using the mouse.
- The remaining time also shows in the browser tab title, so you can check it while working in another tab.
- For study sessions with regular breaks, try our Pomodoro timer. To measure how long something takes, use the stopwatch.
Frequently asked questions
Does the timer work if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer keeps running in the background and shows the remaining time in the tab title. Keep the tab open so the alarm can play when time is up.
Why can't I hear the alarm?
Check that your device is not on silent and the volume is up. Browsers only allow sound after you tap the page, which happens when you press Start.
What is the longest time I can set?
You can set up to 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds.
Can I use the timer offline?
Once the page has loaded, the timer runs entirely in your browser, so it keeps working even if your internet connection drops.