Quick answer: The timer counts down real elapsed time from your device clock and plays an alarm at zero. The Pomodoro technique uses 25 minutes of focus followed by a 5-minute break, and a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes after four rounds. The stopwatch shows hundredths of a second and records laps.
Cooking, studying, workouts, presentations and meetings all run better with a timer. This one needs no app: set the time, press start, and an alarm sounds when it reaches zero. The time is also shown in the browser tab title, so you can watch it from another tab.
Presets cover the usual durations, including the 25-minute focus session used in the Pomodoro technique. Switch to the stopwatch to time an activity or record laps.
Tips for reliable timing
- Keep the page open. The timer measures real elapsed time using your device clock, so it stays accurate even if the tab is in the background. Some phones pause background tabs or lock the screen, so keep the screen on for important timing.
- Turn the sound up. Browsers only play sounds after you have interacted with the page, and pressing Start counts. Check your volume before you rely on the alarm.
- Pomodoro method. Work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and after four rounds take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. Use the 25-minute preset and then the 5-minute one.
The stopwatch shows minutes, seconds and hundredths. Press Lap to record a split time without stopping the clock. The latest lap is shown at the top.
A worked example
Example. To time a soft-boiled egg, tap “5 min”, press Start, and go do something else. When the alarm sounds, the display reads 00:00 and the tab title says “Time is up!”. To time laps around a track, use the stopwatch and press Lap at each pass.
The Pomodoro cycle
| Step | Length |
|---|---|
| Focus session | 25 minutes |
| Short break | 5 minutes |
| Long break (after 4 sessions) | 15 to 30 minutes |
The Pomodoro technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. Adjust the lengths to suit the task.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on a timer in a phone browser that sleeps. Keep the screen on for long timers, or use the device’s own alarm for something important.
- Forgetting to turn the volume up. Browsers only play sounds after you have used the page, and muted devices stay silent.
- Setting a break as long as the work session. Short, regular breaks work better for focus than a few long ones.
Frequently asked questions
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. It measures real elapsed time from your device clock, so it stays accurate. The remaining time also appears in the tab title so you can keep an eye on it.
Why did the alarm not make a sound?
Check that “Play a sound” is ticked, that your device is not muted, and that the volume is up. Some browsers block sounds until you have clicked something on the page, which pressing Start does.
Can I set a timer longer than an hour?
Yes. Enter hours, minutes and seconds in the fields, for example 2 hours and 30 minutes.
How accurate is the stopwatch?
It is accurate to within a few hundredths of a second for everyday use. It is not intended for official sports timing.
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Sources and further reading
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