5 Minute Timer
Already set to 5:00. Press Start or the spacebar and the countdown fills the screen, changes color near the end and beeps at zero. Add or take off a minute while it runs.
Keys: Space start or pause, R reset, F fullscreen, + and - add or remove a minute, M mute, N next timer in the list.
What is a 5 minute timer?
A 5 minute timer counts down five minutes and then sounds an alert. Five minutes is the classic length for a short break, a quick task or a warning that something is about to end, which is why it is one of the most searched timers. This one opens already set to 5:00, so it starts with a single click or press of the spacebar. The digits fill the screen, a bar shows how much time is left, the color turns yellow at 1 minute and red for the last 15 seconds, and it beeps at zero. If 5 minutes turns out to be too short, add a minute without stopping it.
How to set a timer for 5 minutes
- The timer is already set to 5 minutes. Press Start, or press the spacebar on a keyboard.
- Select Fullscreen or press F to make the digits as big as the screen. Press Esc to leave fullscreen.
- Need a little longer? Press +1 min while it runs, or -1 min to shorten it. Pause stops the countdown until you press Resume.
- At zero the screen flashes red and the timer beeps. Choose another sound, or turn on Repeat, under Warning colors, overtime and sound.
- Press Reset or R to start another 5 minutes. To use a different length, pick a preset or type the minutes.
Why use this 5 minute timer
- Ready the moment the page opens5:00 is already set. One click or the spacebar starts it.
- Readable across a roomThe digits grow to fill the screen, with a progress bar that empties as time passes.
- A warning before the endYellow, then red, as the last minutes run out, so nobody is caught by surprise.
- Rings even in a background tabKeep working in another tab or app and the beep still arrives on time.
Things to time with a 5 minute timer
- Short breaks. A 5-minute break between work blocks or lessons.
- Quick writes and warm-ups. A short burst of writing, thinking or practice.
- Planks and stretches. Hold, rest and repeat within five minutes.
- Tea and soft-boiled eggs. Black tea steeps in about 3 to 5 minutes.
- A heads-up before leaving. Five minutes to finish what you are doing.
- Breathing and meditation. A short reset with the sound set to Chime.
Keyboard shortcuts
The shortcuts work while the timer is on screen, in fullscreen, and in the display and floating windows. They are ignored while you type in a box.
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| Space or K | Start, pause and resume |
| R | Reset to the time you set |
| F | Fullscreen on and off (Esc also leaves) |
| + or = | Add a minute |
| - | Take off a minute |
| Up and Down arrows | Add or take off a minute in fullscreen and the display window |
| M | Mute and unmute |
| N | Next timer in the timer list |
Example: a 5-minute warning before leaving
Five minutes before you have to go, press Start and say: when it beeps, shoes on. The countdown is big enough to see from the next room, it turns yellow with one minute left and red for the final 15 seconds, and the beep ends any debate about whether time is up.
What to expect from the result
The countdown is accurate to the second and keeps time in a background tab, and the beep is scheduled ahead so it sounds on time. Browsers only allow sound after a click or key press on the page, which pressing Start counts as. A phone in silent mode may not play it, so check the ring switch. The timer stops if the computer goes to sleep, so leave Keep screen awake switched on.
5 Minute Timer questions
How do I set a timer for 5 minutes?
On this page it is already set: press Start or the spacebar. On any other page of this timer, select the 5m preset or type 5 in the Minutes box.
Can I make the 5 minute timer louder or change the sound?
Raise the volume slider under Warning colors, overtime and sound, or pick Alarm for a sharper sound. Turn on Repeat the sound to keep it ringing until you press a button.
Can I add time to a running timer?
Yes. Press +1 min or the + key while it runs. -1 min or the - key takes a minute off.
Will it keep time if I switch tabs or apps?
Yes. The timer works from the clock rather than counting ticks, so it is never behind when you come back. Browsers slow down hidden tabs, so the numbers in a background tab may update late, but the sound is scheduled ahead and rings on time. If the computer goes to sleep, nothing can play until it wakes; Keep screen awake stops the screen from sleeping while the timer runs.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. Tap Start, then turn the phone sideways for bigger digits. Keep the page open and check that the phone is not on silent, or the beep may not play.
More timers and countdowns
For focus sessions with breaks built in, use the Pomodoro timer or the study timer. To count the days to a birthday, trip or launch, use countdown to a date. For any length, with every option on one page, open the full screen countdown timer.