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Time Tool

Countdown Timer

Set a custom countdown for any duration

Hours
00
Minutes
10
Seconds
00

A countdown timer that runs to a duration you set and alerts you when it reaches zero. Useful for anything with a fixed limit, from cooking to timed exercises.

Counting down rather than up changes how people work. A visible shrinking number creates mild time pressure, which is the whole basis of techniques like timeboxing.

How to use it

  1. Set the duration in hours, minutes, or seconds.
  2. Start the countdown.
  3. Pause or reset at any point, and wait for the alert at zero.

Where a countdown helps

  • Timeboxing a task, where deciding in advance how long something gets prevents it expanding to fill the day.
  • Cooking steps that need precise timing rather than judgement.
  • Timed exercises, stretches, or rest intervals between sets.
  • Keeping meeting agenda items to their allocation.
  • Giving children a clear, visible warning before a transition.

Frequently asked questions

Will it alert me if I am on another tab?
The timer keeps accurate time in the background, though whether you see or hear the alert depends on your browser's notification and sound permissions for the site.
Can I pause and resume?
Yes. Pausing holds the remaining time so you can continue from the same point rather than starting over.
What is timeboxing?
Deciding in advance how long a task gets and stopping when the time is up, rather than working until it feels finished. It is a common technique for stopping open-ended tasks from expanding indefinitely.