A countdown the whole class can read, even from the back row. Pick a duration above, name the activity if you like, and press Start or the Space bar. Switch to projector mode to fill the screen: the countdown turns amber near the end, red for the last seconds, and a bell rings when time is up.
Built for the board, not for a phone
Most online timers are designed for one person sitting close to a screen. In a classroom, the timer is projected or shown on an interactive whiteboard, and it has to work for thirty people at once. This one keeps what matters in class:
- Huge numbers that scale with the screen, or a visual disc that shrinks like a Time Timer, for pupils who can't read a clock yet.
- Traffic-light colors: green while there is time, amber near the end, red for the last ten seconds. Pupils see the end coming without asking.
- A bell when time is up, plus a short flash of the screen for noisy rooms. Both can be turned off.
- An activity name above the countdown, such as "Silent reading" or "Group work, step 2", so everyone knows what the time is for.
- +1 and −1 minute buttons to stretch or shorten an activity without starting over.
How to use it in class
- 1Choose a durationTap one of the durations or type any number of minutes. The timer remembers your last choice.
- 2Name the activityOptional: type what the class is doing. It stays above the countdown in projector mode.
- 3Go full screenPress the projector button or F. The controls fade away after a few seconds; move the mouse to bring them back.
- 4StartPress Space, Enter or the Start button. A presenter remote that sends these keys works too.
- 5Adjust on the flyUse the arrow keys or the + and − buttons to add or remove a minute while the countdown runs.
Timings that work well in class
Short, visible time limits help pupils get started and keep transitions tidy. A few durations teachers often use:
- 1 to 2 minutes: tidying up, getting materials out, a quick transition between two activities.
- 3 minutes: think-pair-share, a brain break or a short movement game.
- 5 minutes: a warm-up, a quick quiz or the end-of-lesson reflection.
- 10 to 15 minutes: group work, a reading period or a station rotation.
- 20 to 45 minutes: a test, an essay or independent practice. Keep the colors on so pupils can pace themselves.
Ready for school computers and for privacy
There is nothing to install and no account to create, for you or your pupils. The timer runs in any modern browser, on Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, iPads and interactive whiteboards, and it keeps working offline once the page has loaded.
It asks for no student data. Your settings are saved in the browser of the computer you use, and the screen is kept awake while the countdown runs, so the projector doesn't go to sleep in the middle of a test.
How the Pomodoro timer works
Four simple steps. No account, nothing to install: it runs right here in your browser.
- 11
Pick what to work on
Add a task and estimate how many pomodoros it needs. The active task is credited automatically when a session ends.
- 22
Start the timer
Press Start (or the Space bar) and give the task your full attention until the bell rings.
- 33
Take a real break
Step away from the screen for 5 minutes. Stretch, drink some water, rest your eyes.
- 44
Repeat, then rest longer
After four pomodoros, take a longer 15–30 minute break. Your stats and streak update on their own.
Everything you need to focus. Nothing you don't.
A calm, distraction-free timer with the tools serious students and makers actually use.
Pomodoro, Flowtime & countdowns
Classic 25/5, 50/10 or your own durations, a count-up Flowtime mode and simple countdowns, exact even in background tabs.
Ambient sounds & lofi
Layer rain, café or forest sounds, brown noise or 40 Hz binaural beats, and add lofi radio or your own Spotify playlist.
Tasks, projects & templates
A to-do list under the timer: pomodoro estimates, notes, subtasks, projects and reusable templates. See when you'll be done.
Stats, streaks & badges
Daily goal, charts, a year heatmap, time per project, session history with CSV export and 100+ badges to unlock.
Study rooms with friends
Create a room, share the link and focus on one shared timer. See who's working and cheer each other on.
Floating timer
Pop the timer out into an always-on-top mini window while you work in other apps.
Scenes, clocks & themes
Dial, flip clock or kitchen timer. Animated scenes or your own photo, snow or sakura effects, light, dark and any colour.
Keyboard shortcuts
Space to start, R to reset, S to skip, F for fullscreen. Your hands never leave the keyboard.
Private by design
No sign-up, no ads, no tracking of your work. Your tasks and stats stay in your browser, exportable anytime.
Related timers
Each timer below is the same full-featured app, preset for a specific method or duration.
Methods
Countdown timers
Frequently asked questions
Can pupils see the timer from the back of the classroom?
Yes. In projector mode the numbers fill most of the screen and grow with the projector resolution. The traffic-light colors also give a clear signal from a distance.
Does it work on an interactive whiteboard or a Chromebook?
Yes. It runs in the browser, so it works on interactive whiteboards, Chromebooks, iPads and any computer connected to a projector. Everything can be done with large on-screen buttons or the keyboard.
Is the classroom timer free?
Yes, completely, with no ads and no account. It is made by an independent developer and supported by optional donations.
What is the visual timer?
It shows the time left as a colored disc that shrinks toward zero on a 60-minute face, like a Time Timer. It is often used with younger pupils and with anyone who finds numbers harder to follow than a shape.
Will the timer keep running if I switch to my slides?
Yes. The countdown is based on the clock, so it stays exact in a background tab, and the tab title shows the time left. The bell still rings at the end.
Learn to focus better
Science-backed guides on the Pomodoro Technique, studying and deep work.
How Long Should You Study Without a Break?
The short answer first, then the nuance: what studies on study breaks actually found, how long a break should be, the signs you need one, and how to find your own rhythm.
12 min readThe Science Behind Pomodoro: What Research Does and Doesn't Show
An honest look at the evidence: the few studies that tested the Pomodoro Technique, what research on breaks and attention suggests, and the popular claims that don't hold up.
12 min readHow to Use the Pomodoro Technique at Work
A practical guide for knowledge workers, freelancers and remote workers: plan your day in pomodoros, estimate tasks, handle interruptions and meetings, and protect your focus.