Free Online Countdown Timer

Countdown Timer vs. Stopwatch — When to Use Each

A stopwatch counts up from zero and is best when you don't know the exact duration in advance — tracking a workout, a race, or an open-ended task. A countdown timer works in the opposite direction: you set a fixed duration, and it counts down to zero with an alert, which is better whenever you need to stay within a limit rather than just measure elapsed time — cooking, presentations, timed tests, or work sprints.

Using a Countdown for Cooking

Kitchen timing is one of the most common uses for a countdown timer, and having a few reference points on hand helps:

• Soft-boiled egg: about 6 minutes from boiling water
• Hard-boiled egg: about 10-12 minutes
• Pasta (dried): 8-12 minutes depending on shape, check the package
• Roasted vegetables: 20-25 minutes at 400°F (200°C)
• Resting steak after cooking: 5 minutes

Use the preset buttons above for common durations, or the hour/minute/second inputs for anything else.

Using a Countdown for Presentations and Speeches

Presenters often lose track of time while focused on delivery. Setting a countdown for your allotted time — and glancing at it periodically rather than waiting for an alert — helps you pace sections of a talk without needing to check a watch or phone repeatedly. Many speakers set a countdown to 80% of their actual time limit, which leaves a buffer for questions or a strong close rather than running right up to the deadline.

How This Timer Works

Pick a preset or enter a custom hours/minutes/seconds duration, then press Start. The timer counts down in your browser using your device's clock, so it stays accurate even if the tab is in the background for a short time. When it reaches zero, the display turns red and the status updates to "Time's up." Press Reset at any point to set a new duration.