Classroom timer
Huge digits for the board, a calm chime at the end, and one-click presets for the routines you run every day.
Timer
How to use it in class
- Pick a preset or type the minutes you need.
- Press Classroom mode. The timer fills the screen with large, high-contrast digits and a progress ring.
- Press Start (or Space). Pause with the same button if you need to stop the class.
- When time is up, a calm chime plays and “Time’s up” appears on the screen.
Presets for everyday routines
| Preset | Use it for |
|---|---|
| 2 min | Think-pair-share, a quick sketch, packing away a single table |
| Tidy up (3 min) | End-of-lesson clear-up with a visible deadline |
| 5 min | Starter task, reading time, a short brain break |
| 10 min | Independent practice, quiz rounds |
| Group work (15 min) | Station rotations and group tasks |
| Test (45 min) | A full test or mock paper |
Showing the remaining time helps pupils pace themselves and cuts down on “how long left?” questions. For a short burst, the 5 minute timer also has a classroom mode.
A lesson plan with timed segments
Breaking a lesson into visible chunks helps pupils know what is coming and how long they have. Here is one way to use the presets in a typical 50 to 60 minute lesson.
| Segment | Preset | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 5 min | Retrieval questions from last lesson on the board |
| Teaching | No timer | You explain and model the new idea |
| Pair practice | 10 min | Pupils work through examples together |
| Group task | Group work (15 min) | Each group produces one answer or poster |
| Share | 5 min | Two or three groups present |
| Tidy up | Tidy up (3 min) | Materials away, chairs in, exit question |
Press Reset and pick the next preset between segments; the timer stays in classroom mode, so the board never shows your desktop. Leave the mode with Escape when you need your slides back.
Tips for teachers
- Tell the class what “done” looks like before you start the clock.
- Use the 10 minute timer or 15 minute timer pages if you want the clock in a normal window next to your slides.
- For a quiet working atmosphere, play rain or forest at a low volume; the sound fades out when time is up.
- Test the chime volume before the lesson using Test alarm in Timer settings.
- Pupils who can’t hear the chime still see the on-screen message, and the ring shows how much time is left at a glance.
Privacy in schools
The timer needs no login and stores nothing about pupils. Your settings stay in the browser of the computer you use. The site uses Google Analytics to count page visits; see the privacy policy for details.
Frequently asked questions
How do I show the timer on a projector or smartboard?
Open this page on the computer connected to the projector, pick a preset and press Classroom mode. The digits fill the screen and the browser hides its toolbars. Press Escape or “Exit classroom mode” to go back.
Are there ads in classroom mode?
No. Classroom mode and fullscreen never show ads. The normal page may show an ad below the timer in future, outside the timer itself.
What presets are there?
2, 5, 10 and 15 minutes, plus Tidy up (3 minutes), Group work (15 minutes) and Test (45 minutes). You can also type any whole number of minutes from 1 to 180.
Is the alarm loud?
No. It is a soft two-note chime that fades in, and you can set its volume or test it in Timer settings. When time is up a message also appears on screen, so pupils who can’t hear the chime still see it.
Will the screen go to sleep during a long test?
Classroom mode asks the browser to keep the screen on (Screen Wake Lock) where supported, which includes recent versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari. Check your computer’s power settings too, as some school laptops override it.
Can I play calm background sounds for the class?
Yes. Start rain, forest or brown noise in the mixer under the timer, keep it low, and it fades out when the timer ends.
Does it work on interactive whiteboards and Chromebooks?
It runs in any modern browser, including Chrome on Chromebooks and the browsers built into most interactive displays. Nothing needs installing.
Is it suitable for children?
The timer is a general-audience tool for teachers. It collects no names and has no chat or accounts. Children should use it with a teacher or parent, and sound should be kept quiet.
Updated · Written by the FocusLoop team