Countdown Timer & Stopwatch

Countdown Timer & Stopwatch: Free Online Timer

A free online countdown timer and stopwatch in one tab. Set a countdown with an alarm for cooking, workouts, or focus sessions — or run the stopwatch with lap times for sports and experiments. No app, no sign-up.

00:00:00

How to use the timer

Countdown

  1. Set hours, minutes, seconds — 5:00 is preloaded as a handy default.
  2. Start. The progress bar drains as time runs down.
  3. Pause/Resume anytime; Reset clears back to zero.
  4. At zero you'll hear a triple beep and the browser tab title flashes "⏰ Time's up!" — handy when the tab is in the background.

Stopwatch

  1. Start — time runs up with centisecond precision.
  2. Lap stamps the current time into the lap list without stopping the clock.
  3. Pause freezes it; Reset zeroes everything.

What people time with it

  • Focus sessions: the Pomodoro Technique — 25 minutes on, 5 off — was built for exactly this kind of timer. (More on the method at Wikipedia.)
  • Workouts: countdowns for planks and intervals; the stopwatch for runs and rest periods.
  • Cooking: pasta, eggs, baking — the beep saves dinner.
  • Presentations & talks: a silent countdown keeps speakers honest.
  • Games: turn timers for board games, speed rounds, and challenges.
  • Exams & study: timed practice under real pressure.

Tips for better timing

  • Keep the tab open. The timer runs on your device's clock, but closing the tab stops it — pin the tab for long countdowns.
  • Unmute for the alarm. The beep uses your device audio; check the volume before relying on it.
  • Countdowns beat willpower. A visible draining bar makes "just 10 more minutes" concrete — that's why the progress bar is there.
  • Lap with purpose. In workouts, lap each set; in testing, lap each trial — the list becomes your logbook.

Timer FAQs

Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?

Yes — it counts using your device's clock, not animation frames, so background tabs don't slow it. The tab title flashes at zero to catch your eye.

Will it work with the tab closed?

No — closing the tab stops it. For long countdowns, pin the tab instead.

Is the stopwatch accurate?

It measures with millisecond precision using your device clock and displays centiseconds — plenty for sports, laps, and casual experiments (not for Olympic officiating).

Can I use it on my phone?

Yes — it works in any modern mobile browser, no install needed.

Does it store anything?

Nothing — no times, laps, or settings leave your tab (Privacy Policy).

Is it free?

Completely — unlimited timing, no account, no sign-up. Everything runs locally in your tab.

More free tools to try

Time's ticking — pair this timer with the Random Workout Generator, Random Challenge Generator, Debate Topic Generator, and Bingo Number Caller. Find every tool on the Yes or No Wheel homepage.