How to use the Online Timer
- Enter hours, minutes and seconds, or click a preset such as 5 min or 25 min. Presets start straight away.
- Press Start (or the space bar). Press it again to pause.
- When time is up, an alarm plays and the screen flashes. Click Stop alarm to silence it.
- Use Full screen for classrooms, meetings and workouts.
Accurate, even in the background
Many online timers drift when you switch tabs, because browsers slow down background pages. This timer counts against the clock instead of counting ticks, so 25 minutes is exactly 25 minutes even if you work in other tabs. The remaining time also shows in the tab title, so you can glance at it anytime.
Sound and alarms
When the countdown ends, the timer plays a chime that repeats for up to a minute, vibrates on phones that support it, and flashes the screen. Use Test sound to check your volume first. On phones, keep the page open and the screen on, because mobile browsers may pause pages that are in the background or locked.
Popular uses
- Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of focused work, then a 5-minute break
- Cooking: 3 minutes for tea, 6–7 for soft-boiled eggs, 10 for pasta
- Classrooms and exams: full-screen countdown everyone can see
- Workouts: planks, rest intervals and stretching
- Meetings and presentations: keep talks on time
Tip: link straight to a preset time by adding it after a # in the address, for example curlytab.com/online-timer/#10m, #90s or #1h30m. Bookmark the ones you use often.
Frequently asked questions
Will the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. It's based on the clock, so it stays accurate in the background, and the alarm still sounds when time is up. On phones, keep the screen on for the alarm to play reliably.
Why didn't I hear the alarm?
Check that Alarm sound is ticked, your device isn't muted, and the volume is up. Use Test sound to check. On iPhone, the ring/silent switch can also mute browser sounds.
Can I set a timer for more than an hour?
Yes, up to 99 hours. Enter hours, minutes and seconds in the boxes.
Are there keyboard shortcuts?
Space starts and pauses the timer, and R resets it.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up.