How to use the online timer
- Under Set time, type the Hours, Minutes and Seconds, then press Start (or Space, or Enter in a field). Or click one of the Presets (1 to 60 minutes) to start that countdown at once.
- Watch the ring empty as time runs down; the tab title shows the time remaining.
- Press Pause to hold the countdown, +1 min to add a minute, or Reset (R) to go back to the time you set.
- When the time is up, the alarm beeps until you press Stop alarm (or Space). Use Alarm sound, the volume slider and Test sound to check the sound beforehand.
- For focused work, switch to Pomodoro, adjust Focus, Short break, Long break and Long break after if you like, and turn on Start the next session automatically to run hands-free.
- Press Full screen to show only the big countdown, for example on a classroom projector (Esc to leave).
How the timer stays accurate
Browsers slow down timers in background tabs, to about once per second or even once a minute, so a countdown that subtracts one second per tick falls behind. This timer works differently. When you press Start it stores the exact moment the countdown will end, and every update simply computes remaining time = end time − current time. A late update can only delay the drawing, never change the result.
The alarm is scheduled ahead of time with the Web Audio API, which plays sound on the audio hardware's own clock rather than through page timers, so it starts on time even when the tab is in the background. The end time is also saved in your browser's local storage, so after a reload the countdown continues correctly; if the page was closed when time ran out, it shows when it finished.
Limits: closing the tab stops the sound, and phones often suspend web pages when the screen locks. On a phone, keep the page open and the screen on.
The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, when he was a university student. He timed his study sessions with a tomato-shaped kitchen timer, and pomodoro is Italian for tomato. The method is simple:
- Choose one task.
- Work on it for 25 minutes (one "pomodoro") without switching to anything else.
- When the timer rings, take a short break of about 5 minutes.
- After four pomodoros, take a longer break, usually 15 to 30 minutes, then start again.
The fixed interval makes it easier to start and keeps interruptions out of the session. In Pomodoro mode this page counts completed focus sessions, fills one dot per session, and switches to the long break after the number of sessions you choose. Skipping a focus session does not count it as completed, in the spirit of Cirillo's rule that an interrupted pomodoro does not count. The 25/5/15 defaults are the classic values; some people prefer longer sessions such as 50 minutes of focus and 10 minutes of break, so every duration here is adjustable.
Common timer lengths
| Preset | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 minutes | Brushing teeth, a plank, a quick speaking turn, tea brewing |
| 5 to 10 minutes | Classroom activities, stand-up meetings, a short break |
| 15 to 20 minutes | Power nap, exam sections, baking, a long break |
| 25 minutes | One Pomodoro focus session |
| 30 to 60 minutes | Study blocks, workouts, meetings and presentations |
To measure how long something takes instead of counting down, use the online stopwatch with lap times. Teachers often pair the timer with the spin the wheel name picker or a live team quiz; more small helpers are on the everyday tools page.
Privacy: everything runs in your browser. Your settings and the running timer are stored only in this browser's local storage so they survive a reload; nothing is sent to a server.
Frequently asked questions
Will the alarm ring if the timer tab is in the background?
Yes, as long as the tab stays open, Alarm sound is on and your device is not muted. The beeps are scheduled with the Web Audio API when you press Start, so they play on time in a background tab. On phones, keep the screen on.
Why is there no sound when the timer ends?
Browsers only allow a page to play sound after you have interacted with it, so start the timer with a click, tap or key press. After a reload, click anywhere on the page once to enable the sound again. Also check the volume slider, your device volume and, on an iPhone, the silent switch.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
It is a time-management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s: work in focused 25-minute sessions called pomodoros, take a 5-minute break after each one, and a longer 15 to 30 minute break after four.
Can I set a timer for more than one hour?
Yes. Enter up to 99 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds, and use +1 min to extend a running countdown.
Does the timer keep running if I reload or close the page?
After a reload it continues with the correct time remaining. A closed page cannot make a sound, but when you return it shows whether the time is up.
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