Countdown Timer

How to use the countdown timer

Enter the number of hours, minutes, and/or seconds you want to count down, then press Set & Reset to load the timer. Press Start to begin the countdown. The circular progress ring shows how much time remains at a glance — as the ring empties, you're approaching zero. Press Pause to freeze the countdown, and Reset to clear it and start over.

What happens when the timer reaches zero?

When the countdown reaches 00:00:00, the timer displays a completion state with a visual indicator. If you have browser notifications enabled, the page can also send a desktop notification so you know the time is up even if you've switched to another tab. Note that browser audio autoplay may be blocked by default — if you need an audible alarm, consider using the dedicated Online Alarm Clock tool which is specifically designed for time-based alerts.

Common uses for a countdown timer

• Pomodoro Technique: Set a 25-minute timer for focused work, followed by a 5-minute break. Repeat four times, then take a longer 15–30 minute break.
• Cooking and baking: Time pasta boiling, oven baking, or marinating. Multiple browser tabs let you run several timers at once.
• Workout intervals: Set timers for HIIT circuits, plank holds, rest periods, or stretching routines.
• Presentation practice: Time your talk or pitch to stay within your allotted slot.
• Meeting management: Set a timer at the start of a meeting to keep discussions on track.
• Medication reminders: Set a timer for when your next dose is due (always consult a medical professional for health-related timing).

Timer vs. stopwatch: which should I use?

Use a countdown timer when you know the exact duration you want to track — like 10 minutes for boiling eggs or 30 minutes for a workout. Use a stopwatch when you want to measure how long something takes without a preset end point — like timing a run or tracking how long a task takes. Both tools are available on this site. The timer counts down to zero; the stopwatch counts up from zero.

Technical notes

This timer runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript's setInterval function. The countdown accuracy is within a few hundred milliseconds per minute, which is more than sufficient for general-purpose timing. The timer does not persist if you close the tab or navigate away — if you need a persistent timer, consider using your phone's native timer app. The circular progress ring is rendered using SVG and updates every second for smooth visual feedback.

Related tools

• Online Stopwatch — measure elapsed time with lap tracking.
• Online Alarm Clock — set an alarm for a specific time of day.
• World Clock — see the current time in 60+ cities.
• Meeting Planner — schedule across timezones.