How to use the Countdown Timer
- Type the hours, minutes and seconds, or tap a preset such as 5 min to start right away.
- Press Start. The time left also appears in your browser tab, so you can switch to other work.
- Use Pause, +1 min or Reset as needed. When the time is up, the alarm plays until you press Stop alarm.
- To count down to an event, choose Count down to a date, pick the date and time and give it a name.
Features
- Hours, minutes and seconds with one-tap presets
- Choice of beeps, chime or bell alarm, or silent
- Time left shown in the tab title while you work elsewhere
- Optional desktop notification when time is up
- Count down to any date in days, hours, minutes and seconds
- Fullscreen display and resume after a page reload
Accurate even in a background tab
Many simple web timers count down by subtracting one second every time a JavaScript timer fires. Browsers deliberately slow down timers in background tabs to save battery, so those countdowns drift and finish late. This timer works differently: when you press Start it records the exact moment the countdown should end, and the display simply shows the difference between that end time and the current time. Switching tabs, minimizing the window or a busy computer cannot make it run slow. The end time is also saved on your device, so if you reload the page the countdown carries on.
Making sure you hear the alarm
- Test the sound first. Press Test sound to check your volume. Browsers only allow sound after you interact with the page, which pressing Start does for you.
- Turn on desktop notifications if you will be in another app. Your browser will ask for permission once.
- Keep the tab open. Closing the tab stops the alarm. On phones, some systems pause web pages when the screen is locked, so keep the screen on for critical timings.
- Silent mode still flashes the display and updates the tab title, which suits libraries and shared offices.
Popular timer lengths
| Use | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Brushing teeth | 2 minutes |
| Soft-boiled egg | 6–7 minutes |
| Plank or interval set | 1 minute |
| Focused work block | 25 minutes |
| Power nap | 20 minutes |
| Exam section or quiz | 30–60 minutes |
Counting down to a date
Date mode counts the days, hours, minutes and seconds until a moment you choose, such as a vacation, product launch, wedding or New Year. The countdown uses your device’s local time zone, so if you are counting down to an event in another country, convert its time first with the Time Zone Converter. Daylight saving changes are handled automatically by your browser’s calendar. To find the number of days between two dates without a live countdown, use Days Between Dates.
Fullscreen for classrooms and events
Press Fullscreen to show huge digits on a projector or TV, ideal for timed tests, presentations, workouts and cooking classes. The digits turn red and flash when time runs out. Press Esc to leave fullscreen. For timing how long something takes instead of counting down, open the Stopwatch.
Frequently asked questions
Will the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. It counts toward a fixed end time, so background tabs and sleeping screens do not slow it down. The alarm plays as long as the tab is still open.
Why did I not hear the alarm?
Check your device volume and press Test sound. Some phones pause web pages when the screen locks, and closing the tab stops the alarm, so keep the page open for important timers.
Can I get a notification when time is up?
Yes. Tick Desktop notification and allow notifications when your browser asks. You will then see a system notification even if you are in another app.
Can I count down to a specific date?
Choose “Count down to a date”, pick the date and time and optionally name the event. The countdown shows days, hours, minutes and seconds and is remembered for your next visit.
Does the timer survive a page reload?
Yes. The end time is stored in your browser, so reloading or reopening the page resumes the countdown. If it finished while the page was closed, you will see when it ended.