A simple stopwatch with lap times and a countdown timer that beeps when time is up.
Stopwatch
Countdown timer
How to use
- Press Start to run the stopwatch and Lap to record split times.
- For the timer, set minutes and seconds and press Start countdown.
- A short beep plays when the countdown finishes. Keep the tab open for accurate alerts.
Good to know
Browsers may slow timers in background tabs, but the time shown is calculated from the system clock so it stays accurate. Explore more on the Tools page.
Online stopwatch and countdown timer
Sometimes you just need a quick timer without installing an app or reaching for your phone. This page gives you both a stopwatch and a countdown timer in one place. The stopwatch counts upward in tenths of a second and lets you record lap times. The countdown timer counts downward from any time you set and plays a short beep when it reaches zero. Both run entirely in your browser, with no sign up, no ads inside the tool and no data sent anywhere.
How the stopwatch works
Press Start and the display begins counting hours, minutes, seconds and tenths of a second. Press Pause to freeze it and Resume to continue from the same point. The Lap button records the current time without stopping the clock, and the list shows each lap with the difference from the previous one, which is helpful for comparing splits. Reset clears the clock and the laps so that you can begin again.
The tool measures elapsed time using the system clock instead of counting ticks. That matters because browsers can slow down timers in tabs that are not in focus. Since the display is calculated from the actual time that passed, it stays accurate even if the tab runs slowly in the background for a while.
How the countdown timer works
Type the minutes and seconds you want and press Start countdown. The display shows the remaining time, and when it reaches zero a message appears and a short beep sounds. Reset sets it back to the time in the boxes. You can use it for anything that needs a time limit, from boiling eggs to study sessions. For a ten minute timer, enter ten minutes and zero seconds. For ninety seconds, enter one minute and thirty seconds, or zero minutes and ninety seconds, depending on your preference.
Everyday uses
- Studying: the Pomodoro method uses 25 minute focus blocks followed by 5 minute breaks. Set the timer for 25 minutes and stay on one task until it beeps.
- Cooking: keep track of pasta, tea, baking and marinating without hovering over the stove.
- Workouts: time your planks, intervals and rest periods, and use laps to compare rounds.
- Presentations: practise a talk and see whether it fits within the time limit.
- Games and classrooms: run quick rounds, quizzes or turn taking with a visible timer.
- Sport: record split times in a short run or swim.
Tips for getting the most from a timer
- Raise your device volume before starting the countdown so you can hear the beep. Some browsers block sound until you have interacted with the page, and pressing Start counts as that interaction.
- Keep the tab open. Although the clock remains accurate, alerts need the page to stay loaded.
- Use laps for repeated tasks, such as the time for each page you proofread, to see how your pace changes.
- For longer focus sessions, pair the timer with a short break plan so that you stand up and stretch.
- Place the tab in its own browser window if you need to see it while working on something else.
Accuracy
The stopwatch shows tenths of a second, which is enough for most everyday purposes. Browser timers cannot match the precision of a dedicated sports timing system, and your device may cause tiny delays when it starts or stops the clock. Do not use this page where official or safety critical timing is required.
Time related tools you may like
Need to turn units, such as minutes to hours or days to seconds? Try our Time Converter. To find the days between two dates, use the Date Difference Calculator, and to plan your rest, check the Sleep Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does the timer work if I switch tabs?
The clock stays accurate because it uses the system time, but the beep needs the page to remain open. Browsers may delay or mute sound in background tabs.
Can I run the stopwatch and the countdown at the same time?
Yes. They are independent.
How accurate is it?
Accurate to a tenth of a second for everyday use.
Why did I not hear the beep?
Check your device volume and that the browser is allowed to play audio. Press Start again after interacting with the page.
Does it save my laps?
No. Laps stay on the page until you reset or close it, and nothing is uploaded.
Using the Pomodoro technique
The Pomodoro method splits work into short focus blocks. Choose one task, set the countdown for 25 minutes, and work without checking messages or social media. When the beep sounds, take a five minute break. After four rounds, take a longer break of fifteen to thirty minutes. Many students and remote workers find that the visible clock makes it easier to start, because the commitment is small and clear.
Timing workouts and intervals
For interval training, run the countdown for the work period, such as 40 seconds, then reset and use another for the rest period, such as 20 seconds. The stopwatch with laps is perfect for tracking rounds of a circuit, because you can compare the time of each lap and see where you slow down. Write down the lap times after each session to track progress over weeks.
Cooking timers
Soft boiled eggs, tea, rice, marinades and baking all depend on time. Set the countdown right when the pot starts to boil or the tray goes in the oven, and keep the tab open on your phone or laptop in the kitchen. Remember to turn the volume up so you can hear the beep from another room.
Time units cheat sheet
- 60 seconds make 1 minute.
- 60 minutes make 1 hour.
- 90 seconds equal 1.5 minutes.
- 25 minutes equal 1500 seconds.
- 1 hour equals 3600 seconds.