TinySandyFree Online Tools

Countdown Timer

Count down any length of time, from a few seconds for a quick break to days until a launch or holiday. Enter hours, minutes and seconds or pick a target date, press Start, and the large display, page title and progress bar show the time left; when it reaches zero you get a sound and, if you allow it, a desktop notification.

Timers & Clocks Runs in your browser

Start a Countdown

Keep this tab open: the countdown runs in your browser. If the computer sleeps or the browser pauses the tab, the alert can be late.

Count down
Uses your device's time zone.
Your browser will ask for permission when you press Start.

Ready

5 minutes

How to Use the Countdown Timer

  1. Choose A duration and enter hours, minutes and seconds, or choose To a date and time and pick the moment.
  2. Optionally add a label, choose a sound with Test sound and tick the notification option.
  3. Press Start. Use Pause to pause and resume, and Reset to stop and clear.
  4. When it finishes, the label is shown and announced; press Pause or Reset to silence a repeating alert.

About This Tool

Cooks, students timing exam practice, presenters keeping to a slot, and anyone counting the days to an event.

Input: Duration or date  ·  Output: Live countdown.

Features and Limitations

Features

  • Duration and target-date modes, up to 99 hours or any future date.
  • Accurate even if the tab is briefly throttled: time is calculated from the clock, not counted tick by tick.
  • Remaining time in the tab title so you can see it from other tabs.
  • Optional sound and notification, only after you ask for them.
  • Screen readers hear the time at sensible intervals (every minute, then the last 10 seconds) rather than every second.

Limitations

  • The tab must stay open; closing it cancels the timer.
  • Browsers may delay alerts in background tabs or when the device sleeps.
  • Notifications depend on your browser and operating system settings and may be blocked.
  • Results are computed in your browser; nothing you enter is sent to a server.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the timer keep running in another tab?

Yes, as long as this tab stays open. The remaining time is worked out from the system clock, so it stays correct even when the browser slows down background tabs. The sound may arrive a little late in some browsers.

Why didn't I hear anything?

Check that the sound option is ticked, your volume is up and the tab is not muted. Use Test sound to check before you start.

Can I count down to a date weeks away?

Yes. Choose “To a date and time”. The display shows days as well when more than 24 hours remain.

What happens to the notification permission?

It is only requested when you tick the option and press Start. You can withdraw it in your browser's site settings at any time.

Related Tools

More like this: all Timers & Clocks tools, all Productivity tools or the TinySandy home page.