Free Online Countdown Timer with Alarm Sound
Our free online countdown timer lets you set a timer for any duration — minutes, hours, or seconds — and plays an alarm sound when time is up. Whether you need a kitchen timer for cooking pasta, a Pomodoro timer for focused study sessions, a classroom timer for student activities, or a workout timer for exercise intervals, this tool provides reliable, accurate timing with an audible alert so you never miss the end.
The timer runs entirely in your browser — no download, no app installation, no signup. It continues counting down even when you switch to other tabs, and the alarm plays when done. Full screen mode makes it easy to see from across the room, perfect for classrooms, presentations, and group activities.
Popular Timer Settings Quick Reference
| Duration | Common Uses | Popular Search |
|---|---|---|
| 30 seconds | Brushing teeth (per quadrant), microwave quick heat | Set timer 30 seconds |
| 1 minute | Quick stretch break, medicine timing, plank exercise | Set timer 1 minute |
| 2 minutes | Full teeth brushing, quick meditation, egg timing | Set timer 2 minutes |
| 3 minutes | Soft-boiled egg, tea steeping, speed challenge | Set timer 3 minutes |
| 5 minutes | Short break, quick task, boiling eggs | Set timer 5 minutes |
| 10 minutes | Power nap alert, cleaning sprint, rice cooking | Set timer 10 minutes |
| 15 minutes | Quick study session, pasta cooking, meeting segment | Set timer 15 minutes |
| 20 minutes | Nap timer, yoga session, focused writing sprint | Set timer 20 minutes |
| 25 minutes | Pomodoro work session (standard) | Pomodoro timer |
| 30 minutes | Workout session, baking check, laundry alert | Set timer 30 minutes |
| 45 minutes | School class period, extended study, meeting | Set timer 45 minutes |
| 1 hour | Full study session, parking meter, slow cooking check | Set timer 1 hour |
| 90 minutes | Movie length, deep work session, sleep cycle | Set timer 90 minutes |
| 2 hours | Extended baking, exam simulation, road trip check | Set timer 2 hours |
Cooking Timer Reference: How Long to Cook Everything
| Food Item | Cooking Method | Timer Setting | Doneness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft-boiled egg | Boiling | 6-7 minutes | Runny yolk, set white |
| Hard-boiled egg | Boiling | 10-12 minutes | Fully set yolk |
| Pasta (al dente) | Boiling | 8-10 minutes | Firm to bite |
| White rice | Stovetop | 18 minutes | Fluffy, water absorbed |
| Brown rice | Stovetop | 40-45 minutes | Tender, chewy |
| Frozen pizza | Oven (425°F) | 12-15 minutes | Cheese melted, crust golden |
| Chicken breast | Oven (375°F) | 25-30 minutes | Internal temp 165°F |
| Salmon fillet | Oven (400°F) | 12-15 minutes | Flakes easily |
| Baked potato | Oven (400°F) | 45-60 minutes | Fork-tender |
| French press coffee | Steeping | 4 minutes | Full extraction |
| Green tea | Steeping | 2-3 minutes | Light, not bitter |
| Black tea | Steeping | 3-5 minutes | Full-bodied |
| Grilled steak (med) | Grill | 4-5 min per side | Internal temp 145°F |
| Banana bread | Oven (350°F) | 55-65 minutes | Toothpick comes out clean |
Pomodoro Technique: The Complete Timer Guide
The Pomodoro Technique is one of the most effective time management methods, developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It uses timed intervals — traditionally 25 minutes of focused work followed by 5-minute breaks — to maintain concentration and prevent burnout.
- 1Choose a task to work on. Write it down to commit to completing it.
- 2Set the countdown timer for 25 minutes (one "pomodoro").
- 3Work with complete focus until the timer rings. No checking email, social media, or phone.
- 4When the alarm sounds, take a 5-minute break. Stand up, stretch, hydrate.
- 5After completing 4 pomodoros, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.
- 6Repeat throughout your work day. Most productive people complete 8-12 pomodoros daily.
| Variation | Work Duration | Short Break | Long Break | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Pomodoro | 25 min | 5 min | 15-30 min | Most people, general work |
| Extended Pomodoro | 50 min | 10 min | 30 min | Deep creative work, programming |
| Short Pomodoro | 15 min | 3 min | 15 min | ADHD, high-distraction environments |
| Academic Pomodoro | 45 min | 10 min | 20 min | University lectures, heavy studying |
| Flowtime | Until focus wanes | 5-10 min | 20 min | People who resist rigid timing |
| 52-17 Method | 52 min | 17 min | N/A | Research-backed productivity ratio |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when the countdown reaches zero?▼
An alarm sound plays to alert you that time is up. The alarm continues until you dismiss it. Make sure your device volume is turned up and your browser allows audio playback for the alarm to work correctly.
Can I set a timer for a specific date or event?▼
This tool is designed for duration-based countdowns (minutes, hours, seconds). For countdown to a specific date — such as "days until Christmas" or "countdown to my wedding" — use our Days Between Dates calculator which shows the exact number of days, weeks, and months between any two dates.
What is the Pomodoro Technique and how do I use it?▼
The Pomodoro Technique uses 25-minute focused work intervals followed by 5-minute breaks. After 4 sessions, take a 15-30 minute break. To use it: set our timer for 25 minutes, work without any distractions until the alarm sounds, take a 5-minute break, then repeat. It is proven to dramatically boost productivity and focus.
Does the timer work with my phone or tablet?▼
Yes! Our countdown timer is fully responsive and works on any device — iPhone, Android phone, iPad, tablet, or desktop computer. The alarm sound plays on all devices, though you may need to interact with the page first on mobile devices for audio to work (a browser security requirement).
Can I use multiple timers at once?▼
Our current tool supports one countdown timer at a time. For multiple simultaneous timers, you can open our countdown timer in multiple browser tabs, each set to a different duration. Each tab will maintain its own independent countdown and alarm.