Visual Timer
Time shown as a colored circle that shrinks as the minutes pass, so children can see how long is left without reading a clock. Hide the numbers, pick a soft chime and go fullscreen.
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 visual timer?
A visual timer shows the passing of time as a shape that gets smaller, instead of only as numbers. Young children, and many people with ADHD or autism, find it easier to understand how long is left when they can see it. This one draws a colored disc on a clock face that empties as the time runs down, like the visual timers used in classrooms and therapy rooms, with the numbers underneath if you want them. The disc turns from green to yellow and then red near the end, or stays one color if you switch the warnings off, and the timer finishes with a soft chime, a bell or silence. It works fullscreen on a TV, tablet, phone or whiteboard.
How to use the visual timer
- Pick how long the activity lasts, from 1 minute to an hour or more.
- Turn off Show the numbers for children who do not read the time yet, so the circle alone shows what is left.
- Type a short title, such as Tidy up, so everyone knows what the timer is for.
- Press Start, then Fullscreen. The colored part of the circle shrinks as time passes.
- When the circle is empty, the chime plays. Choose No sound under Warning colors, overtime and sound if you would rather have silence.
Why use this visual timer
- Time you can seeA disc that shrinks as time passes, readable from across a room.
- Numbers optionalShow minutes and seconds, or hide them for children who do not read clocks yet.
- Gentle on the sensesNo flashing by default, a soft chime or silence, and calm colors.
- Any lengthFrom a 1-minute wait to a 2-hour activity, unlike a physical timer limited to 60 minutes.
- Any screenPhone, tablet, laptop, TV or whiteboard, with nothing to buy or install.
Visual timer ideas for home and school
- Transitions. Five minutes before leaving the park or switching off the TV.
- Routines. Getting dressed, brushing teeth and bedtime steps.
- Screen time. A visible end to games and videos.
- Homework. Short work bursts with breaks, so a task feels finite.
- Taking turns. Each child gets the same visible time with a toy or game.
- Calm down time. A quiet, silent circle for a few minutes of breathing.
Tips for using a visual timer with children
- Start the timer where the child can see it before the activity begins, and say what happens when the circle is empty.
- Use short times at first. A 2-minute wait that ends as promised builds trust in the timer.
- Keep the same sound for the same routine, so the chime itself becomes the cue.
- Turn off Show the numbers for children under five or who find counting down stressful.
- For a wind-down, try the Pie style on a light background with no flashing, which is how this page opens.
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 screen time warning that comes from the timer
Set 10 minutes, turn off Show the numbers and press Start. Your child watches the green circle shrink, sees it turn yellow with 2 minutes to go and red for the last 30 seconds, and a soft chime marks the end. The warning comes from the timer rather than from you, and nobody has to ask how long is left.
What to expect from the result
The circle always shows the share of the time you set that is left, so a 5-minute timer and a 60-minute timer both start full. Without sound, the end is easy to miss if nobody is watching; keep the chime on for routines. The timer runs in the browser, so a phone or tablet must stay unlocked with the page open; Keep screen awake stops the screen from turning off while it runs.
Visual timer questions
Are visual timers good for kids with ADHD or autism?
Many parents, teachers and therapists use them because seeing time shrink is easier to grasp than numbers. They can help with transitions, waiting and tasks that feel endless. Every child is different, so try short timers first and keep the sound gentle.
Can I hide the numbers?
Yes. Turn off Show the numbers under On screen and only the circle is shown. Turn it back on any time.
Can I turn off the colors and the flashing?
Yes. Untick Turn yellow, then red, near the end and the circle keeps one color. Flashing is already off on this page; you can switch it on under Warning colors, overtime and sound.
Does it work on a tablet or phone?
Yes, in any modern browser. Turn the device sideways for a bigger circle, and leave Keep screen awake on so the screen does not lock during the countdown.
How is this different from a Time Timer?
Time Timer is a physical visual timer and app made by Time Timer LLC. This page is a free browser timer with a similar shrinking disc that you can put on any screen, and it is not affiliated with Time Timer.
Is this timer free? Do I need to sign up?
Yes, it is free and every feature is included: fullscreen, the display window, warning colors, sounds, overtime and the timer list. There is no account, no trial and nothing to download. Your settings are saved in this browser only.
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.