How to use Online Timer

Type the countdown length as MM:SS, HH:MM:SS, or a whole number of minutes.
Leave the finish sound and the screen wake lock on, or clear either one if you do not need it.
Select Start timer to begin. The same button pauses and resumes the count.
Reset returns the display to the length in the field, and Full screen shows the count on a larger display.

Example: Online Timer

Time a five minute break with the finish sound on.

You add

Countdown length: 05:00. Beep when the timer finishes: on. Keep the screen awake while running: on.

You get

The display reads 00:05:00 and the result panel reports the timer running with 00:05:00 left of 00:05:00. Pausing reports 00:05:00 left, and the display returns to 00:00:00 when the countdown ends.

Options

Countdown length: MM:SS sets minutes and seconds, HH:MM:SS adds hours, a plain number is read as minutes, and a value such as 90s, 5m or 2h is accepted. The longest countdown is 99:59:59.
Finish sound: The beep is generated in your browser when the count reaches zero. Browsers only allow sound after you have interacted with the page, and some devices mute it, so the state line reports when the finish sound could not play.
Screen wake lock: Where the browser supports the Screen Wake Lock API, the timer asks to keep the screen on while it runs. If the request is refused, unsupported or released when the tab hides, the countdown continues and the state line says so.

Supported inputs and limits

The countdown runs from one second to 99:59:59. It uses your device clock, so it keeps time while the tab is hidden or the screen is asleep, and the display catches up when you return. The finish sound, the screen wake lock and the full screen display each depend on the browser, and the timer still runs when one of them is unavailable. Nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.

Where your input is processed

This tool processes your input in this browser. Your text and files are not uploaded to UseFreeTools. Check this tool's limits for anything it may save on your device.

The timer follows the clock, not the frame rate

A countdown built from animation frames drifts as soon as the browser slows timers in a background tab or the device sleeps. This page stores the moment the countdown should finish, and each update works out the remaining seconds from the device clock, so the last second lands at the right moment even if the page was not drawing. The finish sound plays after that last second is shown, and the timer never speeds up to catch lost ticks.

Questions about Online Timer

Does the timer keep counting in a background tab?

Yes. The finish time is stored when you start, and the remaining time is worked out from the clock on every update, so a hidden tab or a sleeping screen changes the display rather than the total.

Why was there no sound at the end?

Browsers block page audio until you have interacted with the page, and some devices mute it. The countdown still finishes, and the state line tells you when the finish sound could not play.

Can the screen stay on while the timer runs?

Where the browser supports a screen wake lock, the timer requests one while it runs. If your browser has no support, refuses the request, or releases the lock when the tab hides, the countdown still runs.

Can I run two timers at once?

This page runs one countdown at a time. Open the page in a second tab if you need two independent timers.

Project manager: Tony Hines · Content updated 29 September 2026 · Report a problem

Online Timer

Start timer controls