Countdown Timer

Set a countdown timer for any duration. Perfect for cooking, workouts, exams, presentations, and any situation where you need to track remaining time.

00:00:00
Input Mode

Quick Presets

How to Use

  1. Set the duration

    Enter the hours, minutes, and seconds for your countdown.

  2. Start the timer

    Click the Start button to begin the countdown. You can pause and resume at any time.

  3. Receive the alert

    When the countdown finishes, you will be notified with a sound and visual alert.

What is a Countdown Timer?

A countdown timer is a tool that displays time counting down in real time from a value you set toward zero. While an ordinary clock runs by adding time, a countdown subtracts as it goes, giving you an intuitive sense of the time remaining until a deadline.

This timer supports two modes. The direct duration mode lets you specify hours, minutes, and seconds, or pick a preset (1 minute, 5 minutes, a 25-minute Pomodoro, and so on) to measure a fixed length and start instantly. The target time mode lets you set a specific date and time; the difference from the current moment is calculated automatically and the timer counts down to that point.

  • Cooking and workouts: accurately time boiling pasta, rest intervals, and more
  • Focus and study: repeat the Pomodoro cycle of 25 minutes of focus plus 5 minutes of rest
  • Events: exam end, presentation limits, time left until a deadline

Calculation Formula

The direct duration mode converts hours, minutes, and seconds into total seconds.

total seconds = hours × 3600 + minutes × 60 + seconds

For example, 1 hour 25 minutes 30 seconds becomes 1×3600 + 25×60 + 30 = 5,130 seconds. On screen this is converted back to the HH:MM:SS format and shown as 01:25:30.

The target time mode converts the milliseconds left after subtracting the current time from the target time into seconds.

seconds remaining = ⌈(target time − current time) ÷ 1000⌉

If the target is already in the past, it is treated as 0 seconds. The display refreshes every second (1000 ms).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use the countdown timer?
There are two ways to use it. First, enter hours, minutes, and seconds directly or tap a preset button to set the time. Second, specify a target date and time and the timer will count down to that moment automatically. Press Start and the time decreases in real time; you can pause and reset at any point.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method that alternates 25 minutes of focus with 5 minutes of rest. The name means 'tomato' in Italian and comes from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer. Choosing '25 minutes (Pomodoro)' in the quick presets lets you start right away, and after four cycles it is common to take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.
Which presets are available?
To set common durations in one tap, presets for 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 25 (Pomodoro), 30 minutes, and 1 hour are provided. A single button fills in the time automatically, and beyond the presets you can enter hours, minutes, and seconds directly to set any length you like.
Will I be notified when the countdown ends?
When the timer reaches zero, the screen color changes to signal the end, and a sound and on-screen notification alert you as well. If you allow browser notification permission, you can receive the completion alert even while viewing another tab.
How is the target date and time mode different?
The target time mode is based on a 'specific moment' rather than a length. For example, if you set 18:00 today, the difference from the current time is calculated automatically and the time left until 18:00 is shown. It suits schedules with a fixed end point, such as the end of an exam, the start of a meeting, or a deadline.
Does the timer persist if I close or refresh the page?
The timer only runs while the browser tab is open. Closing or refreshing the page resets it. With the target time mode you can continue by entering the same time again, and the remaining time is recalculated.
Can I run several timers at once?
While one timer is running, open this page in additional new tabs to run several timers in parallel. This is handy for timing different ingredients separately while cooking, or for splitting work and rest periods in interval training.
How accurate is the displayed time?
The display refreshes every second (1000 milliseconds) and the remaining time is rounded up, so even with 0.4 seconds left it shows as 1 second. The displayed value therefore matches the actual remaining time to within 1 second, which is precise enough for everyday time management.
2026 calendar data

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