Free · No sign-upPrivate (in your browser)

Classroom Timer

Run a classroom countdown timer in seconds, right in your browser. Pick a quick preset from 1 to 20 minutes, or set a custom time down to the second. Start, pause, resume, and reset whenever you need to, and add an optional label so students know what the timer is for. Free, no sign-up, and everything stays on your device.

This free online classroom timer counts down in a large, easy-to-read display for the whole room to see. Pick a quick preset (1 to 20 minutes) or set a custom time, start, pause, and reset with one click. Runs entirely in your browser, no sign-up, and works on any classroom screen.

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Timer label (optional)

Quick presets

Custom minutes

Custom seconds

Play a gentle beep when time's up (optional)

5:00

Step by step

How to use the classroom timer

1Pick a quick preset (1, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes), or enter a custom time in minutes and seconds.
2Add an optional label so students know what the countdown is for, like "Silent Reading" or "Group Work".
3Press Start. Pause and resume any time, or press Reset to go back to your chosen time.
4Turn on the optional beep if you want a gentle sound when the timer for classroom activities reaches zero.

When it helps

When this is useful

Independent work time

Set a timer for classroom activities like silent reading, worksheets, or journaling.

Group work and discussion

Give small groups a visible countdown so everyone knows how much time is left to finish up.

Test and quiz time limits

Run a clear countdown timer for a quiz or timed activity that the whole room can see.

Transitions between activities

Use short presets to keep transitions, clean-up, or brain breaks moving without dragging on.

Presentations and stations

Time student presentations or rotate through stations with a consistent, visible countdown.

In practice

Examples to try

5-minute clean-up timer

Tap the 5 min preset, press Start, and project the countdown while students tidy up.

Custom 8-minute discussion

Enter 8 minutes and 0 seconds as a custom time for a group discussion that doesn't fit a preset.

Labeled station rotation

Set a label like "Station 3" and a 10-minute preset, then reset and relabel for the next group.

Silent countdown for a quiz

Leave the optional beep off and just project the large display for a distraction-free quiz timer.

Get more out of it

Tips for better results

Keep the tab visible for accuracy
Browsers can slow down timers in background tabs, so keep this classroom timer visible on screen while it runs, especially for longer countdowns.
Project it for the whole room
The large countdown display is built to be read from across a classroom on a projector or TV.
Use presets for routine transitions
Stick to the same presets for recurring routines so students learn to recognize the time blocks.
Turn the beep on only when helpful
The end-of-timer beep is optional and off by default — turn it on for activities where a sound cue helps.

Under the hood

How the classroom timer works

Pick a quick preset or enter a custom number of minutes and seconds, then press Start. The countdown ticks down once per second and shows the time remaining in a large, easy-to-read display with a progress bar underneath.

Pause stops the countdown exactly where it is, and Resume picks up from that same point. Reset returns the display to your chosen time without starting it again.

This is a foreground browser timer, not a background alarm clock: like most browser tabs, timing can slow down if the tab is minimized, put to sleep, or left in the background for a long time, so it works best when the tab stays open and visible. The optional end beep uses only your browser's built-in audio and is off unless you turn it on.

Your data

Private by design

No account and no sign-up. Just open it and start.
Everything runs on your device, so the optional label and custom time you enter stays with you.
Nothing you create is uploaded. No values, names, scores, or generated content are sent to our servers.
We use Google Analytics only for basic, anonymous pageview counts. It never receives what you enter into the tool.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Is the classroom timer free?

Yes, completely free, with no account and no limit on how many times you run it.

Can I set a custom time instead of a preset?

Yes. Enter any number of minutes and seconds and press Set custom time, then Start.

Does it run accurately if I switch to another tab?

Not guaranteed. Like most browser-based timers, this online classroom timer can slow down in background or minimized tabs, so keep it open and visible for the most accurate countdown, especially for longer times.

Does the beep play automatically?

No. The end-of-timer beep is optional and off by default. Turn on the checkbox before starting if you want a gentle sound when the timer for classroom activities reaches zero.