Countdown Timer
Flexible countdown timer with presets, circular progress display, audio alert, and repeat mode.
Space start/pause · R reset
How It Works
Click a quick preset (1m, 5m, 10m, 25m, etc.) or set a custom H:M:S time using the inputs. Click Start. A 3-note audio alert plays when the timer reaches zero. Enable Repeat for automatic restarts — ideal for Pomodoro work sessions.
**Countdown Timer — Set It, Start It, Focus**
A countdown timer removes the mental overhead of clock-watching. Set a duration, start it, and give your full attention to the task. You'll be alerted the moment time is up.
**Why a Countdown Timer Works**
The psychological impact of a visible countdown is well established. Knowing that you have exactly 25 minutes creates urgency and focus that open-ended work sessions lack. This is the principle behind the Pomodoro Technique — the timer creates a finite, achievable block that the brain commits to fully.
**Quick Presets**
For common durations, the preset buttons save setup time:
- **1–3 minutes**: Quick tasks, instant noodles, microwave timers
- **5–10 minutes**: Short exercise sets, meeting check-ins, quick reads
- **15–20 minutes**: Study blocks, exercise circuits
- **25 minutes**: Pomodoro work session (the classic productivity interval)
- **30–60 minutes**: Deep work blocks, exam simulation, cooking sessions
**Audio Alert**
When the timer expires, a three-note ascending tone plays using the Web Audio API — no external sound file required. The alert works even when the tab is in the background. Toggle sound off with the Sound switch if you're in a quiet environment.
**Repeat Mode**
Enable Repeat for Pomodoro-style cycling. The timer resets and restarts automatically after each alert — keep working and it keeps counting.
**Browser Tab Updates**
The browser tab title shows the live countdown while the timer runs, so you can see the remaining time even when another tab is active.
**Keyboard Shortcuts**
- **Space** — Start / Pause
- **R** — Reset to set duration