About the Countdown Timer
Tezmy's Countdown Timer is a simple online timer with a big display and an alarm when time is up. Set any time in hours, minutes and seconds, or tap a preset like 5, 10 or 25 minutes (perfect for the Pomodoro technique). Pause and resume whenever you like; the remaining time also shows in your browser tab so you can keep an eye on it while working elsewhere. Use it for cooking, workouts, study sessions, meetings, exams and classroom activities.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Countdown Timer
- 1Set the time, or pick a preset like 5 min or 25 min.
- 2Press Start.
- 3Pause or reset any time.
- 4When it reaches zero, an alarm plays and the screen says “Time's up!”.
Popular ways to use it
- Cooking: eggs, pasta, baking and brewing tea.
- Studying: 25-minute Pomodoro sessions with 5-minute breaks.
- Workouts: planks, rest periods and interval training.
- Classrooms and meetings: timed activities, tests and presentations.
- Games and speeches: turns and time limits.
The Pomodoro technique
Work on one task for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer 15–30 minute break. The short, fixed sessions make it easier to start and to stay focused. Tap the 25-minute preset to begin, and the 5-minute preset for your break.
Make sure you hear the alarm
Keep your device's volume on and not muted. Browsers only allow sound after you have interacted with the page, so press Start yourself rather than leaving an old tab. The remaining time also shows in the browser tab title, so you can check it while working in another tab.
Timer vs stopwatch
A timer counts down from a time you set and alerts you at zero. A stopwatch counts up to measure how long something takes. For counting up, laps and split times, use our Online Stopwatch.
Timers for kids and classrooms
A big, clear countdown on a projector or TV helps children see how much time is left for an activity or a test. Pick a preset, press Start and let the display do the reminding. The alarm sounds when time runs out, so nobody has to watch the clock. For counting up, use the Online Stopwatch, and for the gap between two dates, the Days Between Dates tool. To plan the days before an event, use Days Between Dates, and add up work time with the Hours Calculator.
Features
- Hours, minutes and seconds
- Quick presets from 1 minute to 1 hour
- Alarm sound when finished
- Pause and resume
- Time shown in the browser tab
- Accurate even in background tabs
Frequently asked questions
Will the alarm play if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer keeps counting in the background and plays the alarm when time is up, as long as the tab stays open and your volume is on.
Why didn't I hear the alarm?
Check your device's volume and that the tab isn't muted. On phones, silent mode may block the sound, and the screen locking can pause the browser.
How do I use it for Pomodoro?
Tap 25 min and start. When the alarm plays, take a 5-minute break with the 5 min preset, then repeat.
Is the timer accurate?
Yes. It counts down to a fixed end time using your device clock, so it stays accurate even if the display updates less often in the background.
Can I count up instead?
Use our Online Stopwatch to count up with lap times.
Can I set a timer for 10 minutes?
Yes. Tap the 10-minute preset or type 10 in the minutes box and press Start.
Does the timer work on my phone?
Yes. Keep the page open with the volume up. Some phones pause web pages when the screen locks, so keep the screen on for important alarms.
Can I set a timer for more than an hour?
Yes. Enter hours, minutes and seconds for any length you need.
Is it free?
Yes. It's free with no sign-up, and it works in any browser.