Countdown Timer

Set a custom countdown timer with audio alert, multiple timers, and optional full-screen mode.

CalculatorsFreeNo Signup
Countdown Timer
Free Tool

How to use Countdown Timer

A countdown timer helps manage time-boxed activities — cooking, workouts, presentations, meetings, study sessions, games, and exams. The browser-based timer runs accurately without installation and sounds an alert when the countdown reaches zero. How to set a timer: 1. Enter hours, minutes, and seconds using the number inputs or the preset quick-set buttons (1 min, 5 min, 10 min, 25 min, 30 min, 1 hour). 2. Click Start. The countdown begins displaying time remaining in large digits. 3. Use Pause to temporarily stop the countdown and Resume to continue from where it paused. 4. Click Reset to return to the original set time. 5. When the timer reaches zero, an audio alert sounds and a visual notification appears. Multiple timers: Add additional timer instances to run several countdowns simultaneously — useful for cooking multiple dishes, tracking multiple exam sections, or managing parallel tasks with different durations. Full-screen mode: Expands the timer display to fill the screen — useful during presentations, cooking (viewable from across the room), gym workouts, or classroom use. Press Escape to exit full-screen. Custom alarm sound: Choose from built-in alert sounds or upload a custom audio file. Set the number of times the alarm repeats (1 to 5). Browser tab title update: The remaining time is shown in the browser tab title so you can monitor the timer from other tabs without switching back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the timer continue running if I switch browser tabs?

Yes. The countdown timer runs in the background regardless of which tab is active. The browser tab title updates to show remaining time so you can monitor progress from other tabs. Enable desktop notifications if you want an alert when the timer ends — the notification appears even when the browser is minimized.

Can I run multiple timers at the same time?

Yes. Click "Add Timer" to create additional countdown instances. Each timer runs independently with its own set time, controls, and alert. Multiple timers are useful for cooking (main dish and side dish simultaneously), managing exam sections with different time limits, or tracking parallel work sessions.

What happens when the timer reaches zero?

An audio alert sounds and the timer display flashes or highlights. Desktop notifications appear if permission was granted. The timer stops at zero and shows a completion state. Click Reset to restart with the same time, or set a new duration for the next countdown.

Is this timer accurate for precise timing?

The timer is accurate to within approximately 1 second for typical use. JavaScript-based timers can drift slightly on heavily loaded systems because the browser may throttle background timers. For precision timing requirements in laboratory or professional settings, a dedicated hardware timer is more reliable. For everyday use — cooking, study, workouts — the browser timer is sufficiently accurate.

Can I set a timer longer than 24 hours?

Yes. The hours field accepts values greater than 24, allowing timers of multiple days. For very long countdowns (days until an event), a countdown clock to a specific date and time may be more practical — enter the target date instead of a duration to see exactly how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds remain.

Recommended

Related Tools