Timer

A countdown timer answers one question: “how much time is left?” You set a length — seconds, minutes or hours — press start, and it counts down to zero, then rings. It is perfect for cooking, studying, workouts and any task where you care about how long, not what time it is on the clock.

Start a countdown in three steps

1. Click Set Timer and enter hours, minutes and seconds, or choose a preset length.
2. Pick an alarm sound and press Test to check the volume.
3. Press Start. Watch the numbers fall, or switch tabs — it rings either way as long as the tab stays open.

Popular timer lengths and what they suit

Tip: For focus work, try the 25-on, 5-off pattern: a longer focus block to work, then a short break. Your brain settles faster when the end is in sight.

Count down to a date, not just a length

The timer can also count down to a future date and time, which turns it into a countdown clock for an event. That is exactly how our holiday countdowns work — for example, days left until Christmas or the New Year.

• The timer counts down from a length you set and rings at zero.
• The alarm clock rings at a fixed clock time, like 7:00 AM.
• The stopwatch counts up so you can measure how long something takes.

Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?

Yes, as long as the browser tab stays open. You can move to another tab or app and it will still ring at zero. Closing the tab stops it.

Will the timer work without internet?

Once the page has loaded, the countdown runs in your browser and does not need a connection to finish and ring.

Can I set a timer for hours, not just minutes?

Yes. Enter any mix of hours, minutes and seconds, or jump to a preset like the 1 hour timer or a longer 2 hour timer.

What sound does the timer make when it ends?

You choose from many sounds before you start, from a gentle chime to a loud bell. You can also loop the sound so it keeps playing until you stop it.