Online Timer

Free online countdown timer with preset durations, custom time input, visual progress ring, and audio alert. Set a timer and let it run in the background.

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How to Use the Online Timer

Set a duration using the preset buttons or enter a custom time, then press start. The countdown runs in your browser tab and plays an alarm sound when it reaches zero. The remaining time also appears in the browser tab title so you can see it while working in other tabs.

Preset times are available for common durations: 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 25 minutes (a Pomodoro session), 30 minutes, and 1 hour. For custom durations, enter any combination of hours, minutes, and seconds. The timer keeps running even if you scroll away on the page.

Popular Timer Durations and Uses

Duration	Common Use
1 minute	Quick stretches, microwave heating, brushing teeth
3-5 minutes	Brewing tea, soft-boiled eggs, short meditation
10-15 minutes	Power naps, quick workouts, timed writing sprints
25 minutes	Pomodoro focus session, study block
30-45 minutes	Cooking, longer study session, meeting time box
60 minutes	Deep work block, exam practice, baking

Timer vs Stopwatch vs Countdown

A timer (or countdown timer) counts down from a set duration to zero and alerts you when time is up. A stopwatch counts up from zero to measure elapsed time. A countdown counts down to a specific date or moment in the future, like a birthday or event.

This tool is a countdown timer. Use it when you know how long something should take and want to be alerted when the time is up. For measuring how long something takes without a set end point, use a stopwatch. For tracking days until an event, use a countdown calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the timer keep running if I switch tabs?

Yes. The timer runs in the background while you work in other browser tabs. The remaining time is shown in the tab title so you can glance at it anytime. When the timer finishes, an alarm sound plays and a browser notification appears (if you have granted notification permission).

Can I use this as a Pomodoro timer?

Yes. The 25-minute preset is designed for the Pomodoro Technique. Start a 25-minute focus session, work until the alarm, then take a 5-minute break. After four sessions, take a longer 15-30 minute break. The preset buttons make it quick to switch between work and break intervals.

Does the timer work on my phone?

Yes. The timer is fully responsive and works on all devices with a modern browser. On mobile, keep the browser tab open (it does not need to be the active tab, but closing the browser will stop the timer). For best results, do not let your phone go to deep sleep mode while the timer is running.

Related Tools

Online Stopwatch

Online stopwatch with start, stop, reset and lap timer showing elapsed time in hours, minutes, seconds and milliseconds

Pomodoro Timer

Free online Pomodoro timer with customisable work and break durations. Track focus sessions, see daily stats, and boost your productivity with the Pomodoro Technique.

Custom Countdown Timer

Create a beautiful countdown to any date and time. Set an event name, target date, and watch the live countdown. Shows weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds.