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Online Timers - Egg Timer, Interval, Pomodoro & More

Every kind of timer you'll ever need - all free, all in your browser. From a simple 3-minute egg timer to a fully-featured interval trainer.

Timer Tools

Choose the timer that fits the job. Each tool opens directly, keeps the same dark professional interface, and is built for quick use on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Choose the Right Timer Faster

Use the countdown timer for everyday time limits, the interval timer for repeated work and rest cycles, the egg timer for kitchen presets, and race timers when you want a visual activity for classrooms or events. The tools below share the same browser-based setup, so you can move from one timer type to another without learning a new interface.

Complete Timer Collection

This hub is the starting point for every timer tool on Stopwatch.now. We've built specialised timers for sports, cooking, studying, teaching, gaming, music, and presentations - all free, all browser-based, and all with no download required. Whether you need a simple 3-minute egg timer or a complex multi-phase interval trainer for a Tabata workout, you'll find the right tool here.

The most popular starting points: the countdown timer for general-purpose time limits, the interval timer for structured training, and the Pomodoro timer for focused work sessions. Teachers frequently use the classroom timers collection, which includes visual and sand timer alternatives.

Find Your Timer

Not sure which timer to use? Describe your need in the first column and the table will point you to the right tool with a brief explanation of why it fits.

Need Best Timer Why
Count down from a set time with a sound Countdown Timer Simple setup, multiple alert sounds, fullscreen mode
Alternate work and rest intervals (HIIT, Tabata) Interval Timer Configurable work/rest durations that cycle automatically
Time a boiled egg perfectly Egg Timer One-tap presets for soft, medium, and hard; custom time available
Focus in 25-minute blocks Pomodoro Timer Automatically cycles between work and break sessions with session tracking
Time two players in a board game Chess Clock Two independent clocks, multiple time-control presets
Show a countdown on a classroom projector Classroom Timers Full-screen visual timers designed for group visibility
Time a presentation talk or TED-style talk Presentation Timer Speaker-facing display with colour-coded warning zones
Run a timed exam or test Exam Timers 10-minute warning bell, large display, invigilator mode
Add fun urgency to a quiz or game Bomb Timer Ticking sound effect with dramatic countdown display
Loop the same interval repeatedly without touching anything Loop Timer Set once and forget - auto-restarts every cycle

Timer Category Popularity

Countdown timers dominate usage because they cover such a wide range of everyday needs - cooking, classrooms, meetings, and workouts all use the same basic countdown mechanic. Interval timers have grown rapidly with the rise of HIIT training. The chess clock has a dedicated niche among board game enthusiasts. For a complete stopwatch (counting up), visit the stopwatch page.

Countdown
89%
Interval
72%
Egg / Kitchen
61%
Pomodoro
58%
Chess Clock
34%

Timer Terminology Explained

Timer tools use a consistent vocabulary that can be confusing at first. The table below defines the most common terms you'll encounter across this site and explains how each concept is used in practice.

Term Meaning Example
Countdown A timer that counts down from a set value to zero 5:00 to 4:59 to 0:00 - then an alarm sounds
Interval A repeating cycle of two or more timed phases 40 seconds work, 20 seconds rest - 8 rounds (Tabata)
Split time The duration of a single segment within a longer timed session Lap 3 of a swim = 1:12 split
Loop / Auto-repeat A timer that restarts automatically when it reaches zero A 25-min Pomodoro that auto-resets for the next session
Increment / Delay Seconds added to a player's clock after each move (chess) Blitz 5+3: 5 minutes per player, 3-second increment per move
Time control The overall time limit scheme for a game or event Classical chess: 90 min + 30-second increment per move
Pomodoro A productivity technique using 25-minute focus blocks 4 Pomodoros = 2 hours of focused work with breaks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a timer and a stopwatch?

A timer counts down from a preset value and alerts you when it reaches zero. A stopwatch counts up from zero and records how long something takes. Both are available here: see the countdown timer and the stopwatch respectively. For interval training, the interval timer combines both by alternating between countdown phases.

Which timer is best for HIIT workouts?

The interval timer is purpose-built for HIIT. Set your work duration (e.g. 40 seconds), rest duration (e.g. 20 seconds), and number of rounds. The timer cycles automatically with audio cues at each phase transition. For Tabata specifically - 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off, 8 rounds - the interval timer handles this perfectly.

Which timers work well for classrooms?

The classroom timers hub is the best starting point. It includes visual timers (colour-block countdown), sand timers, and large-display countdowns - all optimised for projection on a whiteboard or screen. For exam use, the exam timers page adds warning sounds and invigilator-specific features.

Do these timers work without an internet connection?

Once a timer page has loaded in your browser, it runs entirely in JavaScript without any server connection. If your internet drops mid-session, the timer continues uninterrupted. Refreshing the page while offline may require a cached version - most modern browsers handle this automatically via service workers.

Can I use these timers on a phone or tablet?

Yes - all timer tools are fully responsive and tested on iOS Safari and Android Chrome. Large buttons make tap targets easy to hit even during exercise. For gym use, consider bookmarking your preferred timer page for instant one-tap access. The interval timer is particularly popular on mobile during workouts.

Popular Timer Shortcuts

Browse the full collection above, or jump directly to the most popular tools: countdown timer, interval timer, egg timer, Pomodoro timer, chess clock, classroom timers, and exam timers.