Online Timer
Set a countdown timer. Browser tab updates with remaining time and plays an alert when done.
Time's up!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this timer work offline?
Yes - Once the page is loaded, the timer runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No server calls are made while the timer is running.
Will it alert me when time is up?
Yes. When the timer reaches zero, the browser tab title flashes "Timer Done!" and a short audio beep plays (requires audio permission in your browser).
What is Pomodoro technique?
The Pomodoro technique is a time management method where you work in 25-minute focused sessions separated by short breaks. Use the "25 min (Pomodoro)" preset to get started.
Popular Timer Use Cases
The most popular timer use case. Set 25 minutes for focused work, then 5 minutes to rest. After four rounds, take a longer 15–30 minute break. The technique works because it turns an open-ended task into a series of manageable sprints.
From a 3-minute soft-boiled egg to a 4-hour slow-braised short rib, timers are essential in the kitchen. The browser tab title update means you can navigate away without losing track of your timer.
For medications or supplements taken on a fixed schedule, set a timer for the interval between doses. The audio alert provides a reliable prompt that is harder to ignore than a mental note.
Simulate exam conditions by setting a timer to exactly the length of your exam. Working under real time pressure during practice removes the element of surprise on test day and builds mental stamina for the actual event.
Run a visible meeting timer to keep discussions on track and prevent meetings from drifting past their scheduled end. When participants can see remaining time, they tend to prioritise important points and avoid tangents.
HIIT, Tabata, and circuit training require precise interval timing. Set the work period, rest when the alert fires, then reset and go again. Consistent intervals are key to maintaining the intensity that makes these workouts effective.
The Pomodoro Technique Explained
The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Italian university student Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. Struggling to focus during his studies, Cirillo used a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato (pomodoro in Italian) to break his work into discrete timed intervals. The method was simple enough to be applied immediately but systematic enough to produce measurable results, and it spread widely after Cirillo published a booklet describing the approach in 2006.
The core cycle is 25 minutes of undivided focus on a single task, followed by a 5-minute break. During the work interval, you commit fully to the task at hand and note any interruptions or distractions rather than acting on them immediately. The break is used to rest, move around, and mentally reset. After completing four consecutive Pomodoros, you take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes to allow deeper recovery before the next set.
Research into cognitive performance supports the underlying principle. The brain's ability to sustain focused attention degrades over time without rest, and brief interruptions - Provided they are structured and predictable - Help restore it. Studies on the technique report improvements in both the quality of work output and the accuracy of time estimation, because tracking completed Pomodoros builds a concrete data set about how long tasks actually take versus how long they feel.
Timer vs Stopwatch vs Countdown
Three similar tools - Each designed for a different timing need.
| Tool | Direction | Starting Point | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timer | Counts down | A duration you specify (e.g. 25:00) | Pomodoro, cooking, meetings, workouts - Any task with a known maximum duration |
| Stopwatch | Counts up | Zero | Sports splits, measuring task duration, any situation where you do not know the end time in advance |
| Countdown | Counts down | A specific future date and time | Events, deadlines, launches, birthdays - Anything anchored to a calendar date rather than a duration |
More Questions
Does the timer make a sound?
Yes. When the countdown reaches zero, the timer plays a short 880 Hz beep generated by the Web Audio API. The sound requires no external audio file and works entirely in your browser. If you do not hear the beep, check that your browser's audio is not muted and that the site has not been blocked from playing audio in your browser settings.
Will the timer work if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer counts down using a 1-second interval and updates the browser tab title with the remaining time so you can monitor it without keeping the tab visible. When the timer finishes, the tab title changes to "Timer Done!" as an additional visual alert. Note that some browsers aggressively throttle timers in background tabs; if you have concerns, keep the tab visible for critical timing tasks.
What is the Pomodoro technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that divides work into 25-minute focused intervals separated by 5-minute breaks. After four intervals, a longer 15–30 minute break follows. The method was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s and is widely used by developers, writers, students, and knowledge workers to maintain concentration and avoid burnout.
Can I set a timer for hours?
Yes. The hours field accepts values from 0 to 23, minutes from 0 to 59, and seconds from 0 to 59. You can set any combination within those bounds, giving a maximum single timer duration of 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds. For longer durations, restart the timer when it completes.