Visual TimerA visual timer shows time as a shape instead of numbers: the red circle gets smaller as the minutes pass, so anyone — including young children — can see at a glance how much time is left.
Pick a time, press Start, and use full screen on a supported browser to show it on a classroom projector, smartboard or TV. With sound enabled, the timer attempts to play a chime when time is up. Keep the page visible and the device awake for time-sensitive activities.
Choose a setup for your activity
- One countdown for a class: use the classroom timer on the teacher’s screen and project it. Check sound and visibility before the activity.
- A routine with a child: use the parent and teacher setup guide to explain what happens when the circle runs out.
- A five-minute group activity: follow the think–pair–share schedule, including its separate timing steps.
- A timer on a website or slide: follow the Google Sites embed guide or Google Slides instructions.
Will the timer work in a background tab?
The remaining time is calculated from an end time, rather than subtracting one second on each tick. A delayed update can catch up when the browser runs it again. This does not guarantee that the alarm will sound on time while a tab is hidden, the device is asleep, or the browser has suspended the page.
For a classroom activity, keep the timer visible and the computer awake. Chrome can throttle background timers; see Chrome’s explanation of background timer throttling.
If the timer finishes but you hear no sound
- Check that the timer’s sound button is on, the browser tab is not muted, and the computer volume is audible.
- Click Start yourself. Browser audio policies can require interaction before audio plays; see Chrome’s autoplay and Web Audio policy.
- Try a short test with the actual classroom speaker or projector selected as the audio output. If an embedded timer is silent, open the 5-second timer directly and test again.
Repeat our basic check: enter 0:03 in Custom time, press Enter, then Start. At the end, the display should read 0:00 and “Time’s up!”. Reset returns it to 0:03. We checked these visual states in desktop Chromium 145 on October 14, 2026; this check does not verify audible output, sleeping devices or school-managed computers.
For setup instructions, use the classroom website guide. For a ready-to-run activity, try the five-minute classroom plan.
By the visualtimer.org team · Instructions checked .
Ideas for using it
- Classroom transitions, centers and clean-up
- Showing the time remaining during a routine or task
- Homework, reading and screen-time limits at home
- Meetings, presentations and Pomodoro focus sessions
How to use the timer
- Tap a time (or type your own, like 7, 2:30 or 1h 15m) and press Start.
- Use Full screen on a supported browser to show the timer on a projector, smartboard or TV. Check the actual display before relying on it.
- When the time is up, the timer shows Time’s up! and attempts to play a chime if sound is on. Keep the device awake and test the audio first. Reset prepares another round.
Timers by length
Quick countdowns · up to 2 minutes
Short activities · 3–20 minutes
Longer sessions · 25 minutes and up
Add this visual timer to your website
Teachers can put it on a class website or Google Sites page: paste this free, ad-free embed code into a page that allows iframes. Full screen also depends on the host page and browser allowing it. Check the preview and adjust the iframe height in your site editor if it is clipped; test the published page before an activity.
More timers
Countdowns
Frequently asked questions
What is a visual timer?
A timer that shows the remaining time as a picture — usually a colored disc that shrinks — rather than only as numbers. It makes time concrete for children and for anyone who is glancing from across the room.
Can I use it on a projector or smartboard?
Open the timer on the computer connected to the display. Press Full screen (or F) if your browser allows it. The timer requests a screen wake lock when supported, but browser and device settings can prevent it. Check the actual classroom equipment before relying on it.
Will the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
The timer calculates the remaining time from an end time and can catch up after a delayed update. Browsers can throttle or suspend hidden pages, so an alarm may be delayed. Keep the timer visible and the device awake when timing matters; sleeping devices and closed tabs are not supported.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no app to install and no account to create.