How to use the timer and stopwatch
Countdown timer: enter hours, minutes and seconds, or tap a preset, then press Start. When it reaches zero the timer beeps and flashes a message. You can pause and resume at any time.
Stopwatch: press Start to begin counting up. Press Lap to record a split time, for example for each round of running or each question in a practice paper. The fastest lap is shown in green and the slowest in red.
Handy uses
- Timed practice papers: set the exam length and see how many questions you finish.
- Cooking, tea, prayer or meditation breaks, workouts and screen-time limits.
- Presentations and speeches: practise with a fixed time.
Why it stays accurate
Browsers slow down background tabs. This tool does not count ticks. It saves the start time and measures the difference with the real clock every time it updates, so the result is right when you return to the tab.
For longer study sessions with breaks, use the Pomodoro Timer.
Frequently asked questions
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. It checks the real clock instead of counting ticks, so the time is correct when you come back, even if the browser slowed the tab down.
Will the alarm sound on my phone?
Most phones play the beep if the page is open and the screen is on. If you lock the screen, the browser may pause the sound, so use your phone's own alarm for important wake-ups.
How do I record laps?
Switch to Stopwatch, press Start, then press Lap each time you complete a round. The table shows each lap time and the total time, with the fastest and slowest highlighted.
How accurate is the stopwatch?
It is accurate to about a hundredth of a second for everyday use such as sport, cooking and study. It is not meant for official timing.
Can I set hours as well as minutes?
Yes. Enter hours, minutes and seconds, or tap a quick preset like 5, 10 or 30 minutes.