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About the Online Timer
Our free timer lets you set any duration and counts down with an audio alert when it reaches zero. Use the quick presets or enter a custom time. The countdown shows in the browser tab title so you can switch to other tabs.
How to Use the Countdown Timer
- Select a preset or enter custom time -- Click any of the preset buttons (1 min, 5 min, 10 min, etc.) for instant setup, or type your own hours, minutes, and seconds into the input fields for a fully custom duration.
- Start the countdown -- Click the blue Start button to begin. The display will count down and the remaining time will also appear in the browser tab title for easy monitoring.
- Pause if needed -- Click Pause to temporarily stop the countdown. Your remaining time is preserved and you can click Resume to continue exactly where you left off.
- Wait for the alert -- When the timer reaches zero, you will hear an audio tone, see a visual notification on screen, and receive a browser notification if permissions are enabled.
- Reset -- Click Reset at any time to clear the countdown and return to the input screen, ready to set a new duration.
How It Works
When you press Start, the timer records the exact end time using Date.now() plus the duration you selected. On each update cycle, it calculates the remaining time by subtracting the current timestamp from the stored end time. This timestamp-based approach ensures the countdown remains perfectly accurate even if the browser throttles timers in background tabs or the device experiences a momentary slowdown.
The audio alert is generated using the Web Audio API, which synthesises a series of 880 Hz sine-wave tones directly in the browser. No external audio files are required, which means the alert works instantly without buffering or loading delays. If you have granted notification permission, a browser notification is also dispatched so you receive the alert even when focused on another application or tab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run multiple timers at once?
This tool runs a single countdown timer at a time. If you need multiple simultaneous timers, you can open additional browser tabs, each with its own independent timer set to a different duration. The tab title will show each timer's remaining time for easy monitoring.
Does the timer keep running in a background tab?
Yes. The timer calculates the remaining time based on the system clock rather than counting intervals, so it stays accurate even when the tab is in the background. The countdown also displays in the browser tab title so you can monitor progress from another tab without switching back.
What happens if my volume is muted?
If your system or browser volume is muted, you will not hear the audio alert when the timer finishes. However, the on-screen "Time's up" message will still appear, and a browser notification will pop up if you have granted notification permission, providing a visual alert as a backup.
Can I pause and resume the timer?
Yes. Click the Pause button to stop the countdown temporarily. The remaining time is preserved and displayed on screen. Click Resume to continue counting down from where you left off without losing any seconds.
What is the maximum duration I can set?
You can set up to 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds using the input fields. This covers the vast majority of timing needs, from quick one-minute cooking timers to extended study or work sessions lasting several hours. For longer durations, consider using the alarm clock tool instead.
What is the difference between a timer and a stopwatch?
A timer counts downward from a set duration and alerts you when it reaches zero, while a stopwatch counts upward from zero to measure how long something takes. Use a timer when you need to be alerted after a specific period, and a stopwatch when you want to measure elapsed time for activities like running or cooking.
