Countdown Timer
Set a custom duration and count down to zero. Perfect for cooking, meetings, and focus.
tap to edit
Quick answer
Type a duration or tap a quick-set time, press Start, and the timer counts down to zero and plays a sound; it keeps accurate time in a background tab.
- Type the duration (hours, minutes, seconds) or pick a Quick set duration.
- Press Start, or the Space bar.
- Use +1 minute or −1 minute to adjust while it runs.
Reviewed by the TimerHub team · Last reviewed November 4, 2026 · Data sources
Preset timers
One click to a timer that is already set. Each has its own page you can bookmark.
- 10 Seconds Timer
- 15 Seconds Timer
- 20 Seconds Timer
- 30 Seconds Timer
- 45 Seconds Timer
- 90 Seconds Timer
- 1 Minute Timer
- 2 Minutes Timer
- 3 Minutes Timer
- 4 Minutes Timer
- 5 Minutes Timer
- 6 Minutes Timer
- 7 Minutes Timer
- 8 Minutes Timer
- 9 Minutes Timer
- 10 Minutes Timer
- 12 Minutes Timer
- 15 Minutes Timer
- 20 Minutes Timer
- 25 Minutes Timer
- 30 Minutes Timer
- 40 Minutes Timer
- 45 Minutes Timer
- 50 Minutes Timer
- 1 Hour Timer
- 90 Minutes Timer
- 2 Hours Timer
- 3 Hours Timer
- 4 Hours Timer
- 5 Hours Timer
- 6 Hours Timer
- 8 Hours Timer
- 12 Hours Timer
- 24 Hours Timer
Related tools
- StopwatchMeasure elapsed time with precision and record laps. Great for workouts and races.
- Reaction Time TestClick when the box turns green to measure your reaction time in milliseconds.
- Visual TimerA classroom timer: a shrinking disk, an hourglass or draining water, a full-screen room glow and a bell at the end.
- Pomodoro Timer25-minute focus sessions with breaks, plus today's sessions, a 26-week focus heatmap and your streak.
- Interval TimerAlternate between work and rest periods automatically. Perfect for HIIT and Tabata.
- Study TimerStructured study sessions with focused blocks and timed breaks for optimal learning.
How to use it
- 1
Pick or type a time
Tap a quick-set chip, or tap the time and type digits: 1 5 0 0 sets fifteen minutes, 1 3 0 0 0 sets an hour and a half.
- 2
Press Start
Or press Space. The ring empties as time runs out and the tab title shows what's left.
- 3
Adjust on the fly
Use −1:00 and +1:00 to change a running timer without restarting it.
- 4
Hear the alarm
A sound plays and a notification appears when it reaches zero. Press F for full screen across a room.
Perfect for every need
Cooking & Baking
Perfect timing for recipes, ensuring dishes are cooked to perfection.
- Pasta cooking (8-12 minutes)
- Cake baking (25-45 minutes)
- Tea steeping (3-5 minutes)
Productivity & Work
Focus sessions and break reminders to maintain productivity.
- Deep work sessions (45-90 minutes)
- Meeting timeboxes
- Break reminders (every 2 hours)
Exercise & Fitness
Time your workouts, rest periods, and training intervals.
- Plank holds (30-60 seconds)
- Rest between sets (60-90 seconds)
- Cardio intervals
Study & Learning
Structured learning sessions with timed breaks.
- Study blocks (25-50 minutes)
- Exam practice sessions
- Reading sessions
Frequently asked questions
Does the timer work when I close the browser?
The timer keeps running and rings on time in a background tab, but if you close the browser completely, the timer will stop. On a phone, the browser may pause a background tab or a locked screen: the time is still right when you come back, but the sound can't play while it's paused, so keep the screen on.
Can I set timers longer than 24 hours?
Yes! You can set timers for any duration up to 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds. For longer periods, consider using our date countdown tools.
Will I get notifications when the timer ends?
Yes! You'll receive both sound alerts and browser notifications (if enabled). Make sure to allow notifications when prompted for the best experience.
Is this timer accurate?
Our timer uses high-precision JavaScript timing with millisecond accuracy. It's suitable for most timing needs including cooking, workouts, and productivity.