Question 1

Is this online timer really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The countdown timer, the stopwatch and every full-screen clock are completely free and always have been. There is no account, no trial, no payment and no ad on this page.

Question 2

Do I need to sign up or download anything?

Accepted Answer

No. The timer runs in your browser and starts the moment you pick a duration. There is nothing to install and no account to create - you can close the page and come back whenever you like.

Question 3

Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The countdown is measured against your device clock rather than by counting ticks, so it stays accurate even when the tab is in the background or your laptop briefly sleeps. The remaining time is also shown in the tab title so you can read it without switching back.

Question 4

Will it make a sound when the time is up?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A soft two-note chime plays when the countdown reaches zero, and the display turns to "Time is up". Your browser may need one tap on the page first, which starting a timer already counts as.

Question 5

Can I use it as a pomodoro timer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Start the 25-minute preset for a focus block, then the 5-minute preset for the break. That is a standard pomodoro cycle, and the presets are there so you never have to type the numbers.

Question 6

What is the difference between the timer and the full-screen clocks?

Accepted Answer

The timer at the top of this page counts down or up. The full-screen clocks below show the current time in an animated scene - an aurora, night rain, a lava lamp, a word clock - and are meant to be left open on a screen while you work.

Question 7

Will the animated clocks slow down my computer?

Accepted Answer

No. Each scene caps its own frame rate, pauses completely when the tab is hidden, and measured 3-4% of one CPU core at full HD. If a scene ever feels heavy, the settings panel has a quality setting, and the Minimal clock is the lightest of all.

Question 8

Does the timer work on a phone or tablet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The timer and every full-screen clock work on phones, tablets, laptops and desktops in any modern browser. On mobile, keep the screen awake if you want to watch a clock run.

Question 9

Is there a stopwatch as well?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Stopwatch button next to the durations counts upwards from zero instead of down, with the same pause and reset controls.