How the timer and stopwatch work
This page bundles two everyday tools into one. The timer counts down from a duration you choose and alarms when it reaches zero — perfect for cooking, workouts, study sessions or short breaks. The stopwatch counts up from zero so you can measure how long something takes, and it records lap times whenever you tap the Lap button.
Both run on a fixed reference timestamp rather than a simple tick counter. That means the remaining or elapsed time is recalculated from the real clock on every frame, so even if your browser throttles a background tab the display stays correct when you come back to it. When a countdown finishes, the tool plays a short burst of beeps with the Web Audio API, flashes the browser tab title and shows a "Time's up!" message — and a desktop notification too if you have granted permission.
Reference note: sound uses your browser's Web Audio API, which most browsers only allow after you interact with the page (pressing Start counts). Keep the tab open so the alarm can play. The stopwatch shows centiseconds (hundredths of a second).
Quick timer presets
| Preset | Duration | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 min | 00:01:00 | Plank, short rest, quick task |
| 5 min | 00:05:00 | Tea steeping, a quick break |
| 10 min | 00:10:00 | Focus sprint, meditation |
| 15 min | 00:15:00 | Tidy-up, a power nap wind-down |
| 30 min | 00:30:00 | Study block, cooking, workout |
Frequently asked questions
- How do I set an online timer?
- Switch to the Timer mode, enter the hours, minutes and seconds you want — or tap a quick-set button such as 5 or 10 minutes — then press Start. The big display counts down to zero and the page beeps when it finishes.
- Does the timer beep when it ends?
- Yes. When the countdown reaches zero the tool plays a short series of beeps, flashes the page title and shows a "Time's up!" message. If you grant notification permission it can also show a desktop notification.
- Will it keep running if I switch tabs?
- The countdown stays accurate because it is calculated from a fixed end time rather than a tick counter, so a throttled background tab still shows the right remaining time when you return. Keep the tab open if you want to hear the alarm.
- What's the difference between a timer and a stopwatch?
- A timer counts down from a time you set and alerts you at zero. A stopwatch counts up from zero so you can measure how long something takes, and it can record lap times along the way.
- Can I set a timer for X minutes?
- Yes. Type the number of minutes into the minutes field, or use a quick-set button for common durations like 1, 5, 10, 15 or 30 minutes, then press Start.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. The timer and stopwatch run entirely in your web browser — no download, sign-up or plugin required.