Classroom Timer
Put a big, clear countdown on the board for tests, group work and tidy-up. The ring changes color as time runs low and a gentle chime ends it. Free, with no sign-up and nothing to install.
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 classroom timer?
A classroom timer shows students how much time is left for an activity, in numbers big enough to read from the back row. Seeing the time makes transitions smoother and cuts down on "how long is left?" questions. This one opens as a large ring that empties as time passes and turns from green to yellow to red near the end, with the minutes and seconds in the middle. It ends with a gentle chime (or a bell, beeps, an alarm or silence), and it can run a list of timers in a row for a whole lesson: starter, main task, plenary and pack-up. It works in the browser on interactive whiteboards, projectors, Chromebooks and tablets, needs no account and is free.
How to use the classroom timer
- Choose a preset or type the minutes for the activity. For a whole lesson, add each part to the Timer list, for example Starter 5, Group work 15, Share 10.
- Type what students should be doing in Title above the timer, such as Silent reading.
- Press Start, then Fullscreen (or F) so the ring fills the board.
- Need longer? Press +1 min without stopping the timer. Press Pause if you need the class's attention.
- When the chime sounds, press Reset for the same time again, or N to start the next timer in the list.
Why teachers use this classroom timer
- Readable from the back rowThe ring and digits fill the board, on a projector, TV or interactive whiteboard.
- Colors students understandGreen while there is plenty of time, yellow near the end, red for the final seconds.
- A whole lesson from one StartStarter, task, plenary and pack-up in a timer list that moves on by itself.
- Calm by defaultA soft chime instead of an alarm, and the numbers can be hidden for younger children.
- Works on school devicesRuns in the browser on Chromebooks, iPads and whiteboards, with nothing to install.
Ways to use a timer in class
- Tests and quizzes. Everyone sees the same time left, and the red stage warns the room before the end.
- Group work and stations. Rotate groups with a timer list and automatic start.
- Transitions and tidy-up. A 2-minute countdown turns packing up into a race against the clock.
- Reading and writing time. Quiet, independent work with the chime set low or off.
- Brain breaks. A short movement or breathing break that ends on time.
- Student presentations. Count overtime so each speaker sees how far over they went.
Recommended timer lengths for classroom activities
| Activity | Time | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Transition or tidy-up | 1 to 2 minutes | Use Alarm or Beeps so everyone hears the end |
| Think-pair-share | 2 to 4 minutes | Short and visible keeps pairs on task |
| Quick write or warm-up | 3 to 5 minutes | Add the task as the title |
| Group task | 10 to 15 minutes | Turn on the timer list for check-in points |
| Independent work | 15 to 25 minutes | Chime set low, flash off |
| Quiz or test | 20 to 45 minutes | Yellow and red warnings near the end |
| Brain break | 2 to 3 minutes | Pair it with the random name picker to choose a leader |
Need to choose who goes first? Try the random name picker or wheel of names.
How to show the timer on a projector, TV or second screen
There are four ways to get the countdown in front of people. All of them run on your computer, with no account and no server.
| Option | Best for | How |
|---|---|---|
| Fullscreen | One screen, such as a laptop connected to a mirrored projector or TV | Select Fullscreen or press F. Press Esc to leave. |
| Display window | A laptop plus a projector, smartboard or stage monitor set up as a second display | Select Display window, drag it to the other screen and select Fullscreen in it. The controls stay on your laptop and both stay in step. |
| Float on top | Presenting your own slides, or keeping an eye on time in other apps | In Chrome or Edge on a computer, select Float on top. A small timer stays above other windows. |
| Share link | Another computer in a different room | Select Copy a link to this timer and open it on the other computer. It is a separate timer, so start both together. |
| Screen sharing | Zoom, Teams or Google Meet | Share the display window as a window, or share your whole screen with the timer floating on top. |
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: station rotation with one press of Start
Four groups rotate every 8 minutes with a 1-minute move between stations. Add Station time 8 and Move 1 to the timer list four times, then turn on Start the next timer automatically. Press Start once and the timer runs all 36 minutes, chiming at each change, while the title switches between Station time and Move so the class always knows what comes next.
What to expect from the result
The timer is for one room. To show the same timer on another computer, open a share link there and start both together; separate devices do not sync. On interactive whiteboards with an old built-in browser, fullscreen may be missing, but the timer still fills the browser window. Sound needs one tap or click first and plays through the board or computer speakers. For younger children who find a ticking count stressful, turn off Show the numbers and let the ring show time passing.
Classroom timer questions
Is this classroom timer free? Do students need an account?
It is free, with no account for you or your students and nothing to install. Every feature is included, and your settings are saved in your browser only.
How do I show the timer on my projector or smartboard?
Open this page on the computer connected to the board and press F or select Fullscreen. If the board extends your desktop, select Display window, drag it onto the board and make it fullscreen there. You keep the controls on your own screen.
What are good timer lengths for classroom activities?
Short and specific works best: 1 to 2 minutes for transitions and tidying, 3 to 5 for think-pair-share and quick writes, 10 to 15 for group tasks, and 20 to 30 for independent work or a quiz. Seeing the end coming helps students pace themselves.
Are visual timers good for students with autism or ADHD?
Many teachers and therapists use visual timers because a shrinking shape is easier to follow than numbers alone. Try the Ring or Pie style with Show the numbers turned off, choose the gentle chime or no sound, and turn off the flash if sudden changes upset a child. What works differs from student to student.
Can I run a timer for each part of my lesson?
Yes. Add each part to the Timer list with a name and a length. Select a row to load it, press N for the next one, or turn on Start the next timer automatically so the whole lesson runs from one press of Start.
Does the sound have to be loud?
No. Chime is soft, Bell sounds like a school bell, and No sound keeps it silent. Volume goes from 0 to 100%, and Short beep at yellow and red gives a quiet heads-up before the end.
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.