12 Minute Timer – Free Visual Countdown Timer with Alarm

This 12 minute timer is already set to 12:00. Press Start for a visual countdown with an alarm, or press F to fill a classroom screen.

Try a 12-minute group task: spend 2 minutes reading the prompt, 8 minutes working together and the final 2 minutes checking an answer. The timer runs as one continuous countdown; it does not ring at each stage.

Before projecting, press Start once to check that your device can play the chime. Keep the device awake and its volume on. Space pauses or resumes the timer; R resets it to 12 minutes.

Ideas for using it

A group task with a 2-minute plan, 8-minute work block and 2-minute check
A short meeting with time reserved for next steps
A reading or writing sprint with a visible finish

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 12 minute 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.

<iframe id="vt-12-minute-timer" src="https://visualtimer.org/embed/12-minute-timer/" title="12 Minute Timer" width="100%" height="560" style="border:0;max-width:960px" allow="fullscreen; screen-wake-lock" allowfullscreen loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">12 minute timer by <a href="https://visualtimer.org/12-minute-timer/">visualtimer.org</a></p>
<script>addEventListener('message',function(e){if(e.origin==='https://visualtimer.org'&&e.data&&e.data.vtHeight&&e.data.path==='/embed/12-minute-timer/'){var f=document.getElementById('vt-12-minute-timer');if(f)f.style.height=e.data.vtHeight+'px'}})</script>

Preview the embed ↗

More timers

Countdowns

Frequently asked questions

Does the 12 minute timer sound an alarm?

A chime plays at the end after you start the timer. Turn on your device volume and test it before use. A sleeping or suspended device may not play the sound on time.

Can I pause and restart the 12-minute countdown?

Press Space to pause or resume, and R to reset to 12:00. Press Start to begin another round.

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.