Countdown Timer & Stopwatch Online
Free online countdown timer and stopwatch. Set any duration, choose from quick presets (1 min to 1 hour), or use stopwatch mode with lap tracking. No signup, runs entirely in your browser.
How to Use the Online Timer
- 1Select Countdown or Stopwatch mode using the toggle at the top.
- 2For countdown: set the duration using the H:M:S inputs or click a preset (1 min, 5 min, 25 min, etc.).
- 3Click Start — the display counts down (or up). Use Pause and Resume to take breaks.
- 4In stopwatch mode, click Lap while running to record split times with a full lap history.
Common Uses for an Online Timer
A countdown timer is one of the most universally useful browser tools. Students use it for exam practice and revision sessions. Cooks use presets to time dishes without a physical timer. Presenters use it to stay within talk slots. Developers use the stopwatch to benchmark how long tasks take. The Pomodoro Technique — 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break — is directly supported by the preset buttons.
Timer Tips and Use Cases
Pomodoro Technique
Click the 25 min preset for a focus session, then 5 min for a short break. After 4 pomodoros, take a 30-minute long break.
Exam Simulation
Set the full exam duration and practice under timed conditions. The countdown pressure helps calibrate your actual pacing.
Presentations
Use a 5 or 10-minute timer while rehearsing. Stopwatch mode lets you see exactly how long each section takes.
Interval Training
Use the stopwatch with laps to track rest and work intervals in exercise sessions. Each lap shows the split and cumulative time.
Cooking and Baking
The 1 min, 5 min, and 10 min presets cover most kitchen timing needs. The timer works with the tab in the background.
Time Blocking
Set the timer at the start of each task block to enforce deadlines. The visual countdown makes time pressure concrete and motivating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this as a Pomodoro timer?
Yes — click the "25 min" preset to set up a standard Pomodoro work session. After the timer ends, click the "5 min" preset for a short break. The timer shows a clear "Time's up!" message when it expires, so you can stay focused without watching the screen.
Does the timer work if I switch browser tabs?
Yes. The timer uses requestAnimationFrame for smooth display and tracks elapsed time with performance.now(), so it continues running accurately even when the tab is in the background. However, some browsers throttle background tabs — if you need extremely precise timing for longer periods, keep the tab visible.
What is the maximum countdown duration?
You can set any duration up to 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds using the H:M:S inputs. For longer durations, use multiple sessions.
How do laps work in stopwatch mode?
While the stopwatch is running, click the Lap button to record the current time. The lap table shows both the split time (time since the last lap) and the total elapsed time for each lap. Laps are cleared when you reset.
Does the timer make a sound when it finishes?
The current version displays a "Time's up!" message and briefly pulses when the countdown reaches zero. Browser audio requires user permission and varies by device — silent visual alerts work reliably in all environments.
Is my data private?
Yes. No data leaves your browser. The timer runs entirely in JavaScript on your device. Nothing is stored or transmitted.