Countdown Timer: Set a Timer with Audio Alert

Whether you’re timing a cooking recipe, managing a study session, or keeping a meeting on schedule, a countdown timer is one of those tools you reach for constantly. Our free Countdown Timer runs entirely in your browser with a visual progress bar and an audio beep when time is up.

How to Use the Countdown Timer

1. Set the duration: Enter hours, minutes, and seconds, or click a quick preset button (1 min, 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 30 min, 1 hr)
2. Add a label (optional): Name your timer for context, like “Break time” or “Oven off”
3. Press Start: The timer counts down with a live display and progress bar
4. Pause and resume: Click Pause to freeze the timer and Start again to continue
5. Reset: Click Reset to return to the original duration

When the countdown reaches zero, an audio beep plays to alert you.

Features

• Large display: The time remaining shows in large HH:MM:SS format, easy to read from across a room
• Progress bar: A visual indicator of how much time has passed and how much remains
• Quick presets: One-click buttons for common durations so you don’t have to type
• Audio notification: A short beep plays when the timer finishes (uses Web Audio API)
• Custom label: Add context to your timer so you remember what it’s for
• Pause/resume: Pause the timer at any point without losing progress

Common Use Cases

• Cooking and baking: Set precise timers for recipes
• Pomodoro-style work: Alternate between work sprints and breaks
• Exercise intervals: Time rest periods between sets
• Presentations: Keep talks and meetings within their allotted time
• Exams and quizzes: Set time limits for practice tests
• Games: Time turns or rounds in board games and activities

Tips

• Use the number inputs directly for precise durations that aren’t covered by presets
• The progress bar gives a visual sense of how far through the timer you are
• The timer keeps running if you scroll down the page, but won’t continue if you close the tab
• Make sure your device volume is on to hear the completion beep

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a timer for more than one hour? Yes. The hours field accepts values up to 99, so you can set timers for multiple hours.

Does the timer work in the background? The timer runs as long as the browser tab is open. Closing the tab will stop the timer. Switching to another tab is fine.

Can I change the alarm sound? The current version plays a simple tone using the Web Audio API. The sound can’t be customized, but it’s designed to be clear without being startling.

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Try our free Countdown Timer to set a timer with audio alert.