Online Timer
Set a countdown for any duration and start it instantly. An alarm sounds when the time is up, and the timer keeps accurate time even if you switch tabs.
How it works
Type minutes and seconds into the fields, or tap a preset, then press Start. Pause freezes the count without losing your place, and Reset snaps back to the time you set. The countdown is timestamp-based, so it checks the real clock rather than ticking once per second — switch to another tab, minimize the window, or let your laptop sleep briefly, and the time left is still correct when you come back. A short alarm plays through the Web Audio API when the countdown hits zero, no sound file to download.
While it's running, the remaining time also shows in the browser tab title, so you can glance at any open tab to see how much time is left without switching back to the timer. That's the main edge over a phone timer sitting face-down on a desk: the countdown stays visible in your workspace, next to the document or spreadsheet you're actually working in, and there's nothing to unlock or wake up to check it.
If you're timing something specific — a workout interval, a study block, a meeting — the preset pages below are already set to common durations from 1 minute to 1 hour. Pick the one that matches what you're doing and it starts pre-loaded, ready to press Start.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this online timer free?
- Yes — it's completely free, works in your browser, and needs no signup or download.
- Does the timer keep running in a background tab?
- Yes. The countdown is based on the real clock, so it stays accurate when the tab is in the background, and the alarm still rings when the time is up.
- Does the timer keep running if I close the tab?
- No. Closing the tab stops the countdown, since it runs in that page's browser memory. Switching to a different tab or minimizing the window is fine — the timer keeps counting and the alarm still fires — but closing the tab ends it.
- Why didn't the alarm sound?
- Most browsers block audio from playing until you've interacted with the page — pressing Start counts as that interaction, so the alarm should work. If it's still silent, check that the tab and your device aren't muted, since a muted tab icon silences the alarm along with everything else.