Three ways to count down in one place
There are three modes. Duration counts down a length such as 20 minutes. Clock time counts to a time of day: if that time has already passed today, it counts to the same time tomorrow. Date and time counts to a calendar day and a time, which suits launches, trips, exams and shows.
The display breaks the remaining time into days, hours, minutes and seconds, so a target three weeks away reads as days first and drops the larger units as they reach zero. Give the countdown a label, for example "Flight to Lagos", and the label appears above the numbers.
The shareable link stores the target and the label. Anyone who opens it sees the same finish line, counted from their own device clock. If they are in another time zone, the target is still the same moment, shown against their own clock.
Press Full screen, or F on a keyboard, to show only the numbers on the whole display. That suits a classroom, a break between sessions on a shared screen, or a meeting room where people need to see the time from the back. Press F again to leave.
For a plain length, the common ones have their own pages with the same sounds and controls: the 5 minute timer, 10 minute timer, 15 minute timer, 30 minute timer and 1 hour timer open already set, so you skip typing. Use this page when the target is a clock time or a calendar date, or when you want a label on the display. For a date count in whole days only, the days until page is more direct.
A target that is days away keeps the page open on a screen, so it works best on a desk or a wall display rather than a phone that locks. Because the numbers come from your device clock, they stay correct after a tab sleeps. For a date that matters, such as a flight or an exam, check the target in the box before you share the link.
Which mode for which job
Each mode answers a different question. Pick the one that matches what you know about the finish line.
| You know | Use this mode | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A length of time | Duration | 20 minutes to rest a dough, 90 seconds for a speaking round |
| A time of day | Clock time | Class ends at 15:30, call starts at 09:00 |
| A day and a time | Date and time | Flight on a set date, exam, show or launch |
The label shows above the numbers in every mode, and Copy link stores the target and the label.
Questions about this timer
What happens when the countdown reaches zero?
The display shows zero and the label stays visible, so you know which event ended.
Can I count down to a date months away?
Yes. Choose date and time, set the target and the page shows the days remaining. Keep in mind that the page has to be open to display it.
Is this different from the online timer?
The online timer only does a set length. This page can also aim at a clock time or a calendar date, and it has a label for the event.
Does the link work in another time zone?
The target is a fixed moment, so the countdown ends at the same instant for everyone. The clock time it shows depends on each viewer's device.
Can I put the countdown on a screen for a group?
Yes. Press Full screen and the numbers fill the display. Give the countdown a label and everyone can see what the time is for.
Which mode should I pick for a meeting at 3 PM?
Use clock time and enter 15:00. If it is already past 3 PM today, the countdown aims at 3 PM tomorrow, so check the time before you share it.