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Home Text & Conversion Tools Countdown Timer

Countdown Timer — Free Online Timer with Alarm

Set hours, minutes, and seconds and count down to zero with an audio alert. Handy presets for Pomodoro, breaks, and workouts. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.

✓ Free Forever✓ No Signup✓ Audio Alert✓ Quick Presets
00:05:00

Shortcuts: Space = start/pause · R or Esc = reset

What the Countdown Timer Does

The Countdown Timer counts down from a time you set to zero, then alerts you with a sound. Enter hours, minutes, and seconds, or tap a preset, and hit Start. You can pause and resume, reset at any time, and the display flashes when time is up so you don't miss it even with the sound off.

It's built for time-boxing — focused work sessions, breaks, cooking, workouts, study blocks, or any deadline where you want a clear "stop" signal. There's nothing to install and no account, and it works on phone, tablet, or desktop.

One practical note: the timer runs in your browser tab, so keep the tab open while it counts. If your device silences background tabs, the alert may be delayed until you return — for anything critical, keep the tab visible.

Step-by-Step

1

Set your time

Type hours, minutes, and seconds, or tap a preset like Pomodoro (25 min).

2

Press Start

The countdown begins; the display pulses in the final seconds.

3

Pause or reset anytime

Pause to hold the remaining time, or reset to start over. Space and R work as shortcuts.

4

Hear the alert

When it reaches zero, an audio alarm plays and the display flashes.

The Pomodoro Technique

A popular way to use a countdown timer: alternate focused work with short breaks. Set the timer to each duration in turn.

Session Duration Purpose
🍅 Work25 minutesDeep, focused work
☕ Short break5 minutesRest and recharge
🍅 Work25 minutesContinue focused work
🛋️ Long break15–30 minutesAfter every 4 work sessions

Features

🔔

Audio Alert

A sound and a flashing display when time reaches zero.

⏯️

Pause & Resume

Hold the remaining time and pick up exactly where you left off.

Quick Presets

One-tap 1, 5, 25, and 30-minute timers for common needs.

⌨️

Keyboard Shortcuts

Space to start/pause, R or Esc to reset.

📱

Any Device

Works in any modern browser on phone, tablet, or desktop.

🆓

Free & Private

No signup, no tracking — it all runs in your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the countdown timer free?
Yes, completely free with no account required. Use it as often as you like.
Does it keep running if I switch tabs?
The timer runs in its browser tab. Keep the tab open for reliable timing; some devices throttle background tabs, which can delay the alert until you return.
Can I run more than one timer?
Yes — open the tool in multiple browser tabs for simultaneous countdowns, handy for cooking several dishes or parallel tasks.
Is there a maximum time?
You can set up to 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds — enough for anything from a 30-second timer to a long event countdown.
Can I use it as a Pomodoro timer?
Yes — tap the Pomodoro preset (25 minutes) for a work session, then set 5 minutes for a break and repeat.
Why didn't the alarm sound play?
Browsers block audio until you interact with the page. Since you press Start to begin, the alarm normally plays fine — just make sure your device isn't muted.