# Online timer

> Free countdown timer with an alarm: one click for 1, 5, 10 or 30 minutes, or set any time. Keeps time in a background tab, big full-width display.

URL: https://tools.cuelark.com/online-timer
Publisher: Cuelark Team (https://cuelark.com)
Updated: 2026-11-10
Price: free, no sign-up
Privacy: runs in the browser; files are not uploaded

Set a countdown and get an alarm and a notification when it ends. Use the one-click presets for 1 to 60 minutes or type any time; the timer keeps counting correctly even when the tab is in the background.

## How to use it

1. Click a preset or type the minutes and seconds.
2. Press Start (or Space). The time also shows in the browser tab title.
3. When it ends, an alarm plays and a notification appears if you allowed it.

## Details

- **Range:** Up to 999 minutes
- **Accuracy:** Counts from the system clock, so a throttled background tab does not slow it down
- **Alarm:** Three tones from your speaker, plus a desktop notification if allowed
- **Keys:** Space to start and pause, R to reset

## Questions

### Does it need an account or send anything?

No. It runs in this page with your device's clock. Nothing is stored on a server.

### Will it still ring if I switch tabs?

Yes, while the tab stays open. The countdown uses the system clock, so it stays exact; allow notifications for a pop-up too. Closing the tab stops it.

### Can I use it on my phone?

Yes. Keep the screen on, because phones pause pages when locked.

### How do I set a 25-minute focus timer with breaks?

Use the Pomodoro timer, which runs focus and break blocks automatically.

## Related tools

- [Pomodoro timer](https://tools.cuelark.com/pomodoro-timer)
- [Online stopwatch](https://tools.cuelark.com/stopwatch)
- [Typing speed test](https://tools.cuelark.com/typing-test)
- [Time zone converter](https://tools.cuelark.com/time-zone-converter)