Classroom Timer (Visual Timer)

How to use the classroom timer

Tap a preset such as 1 min, 3 min, 5 min group work or 10 min break, then press Start (or Space). A colored disc shrinks as time passes, with large minutes and seconds beside it.

• For other durations, enter minutes and seconds and press Set this time (up to 180 minutes).
• Name and save presets you use often, like "7 min reading". They stay in this browser.
• Type an activity name above the timer; it is shown large in full screen.
• +1 min pushes the end time back while running, or starts a one-minute extension after time is up.
• On a projector or interactive whiteboard press Full screen (F). In landscape the disc and digits fill the screen side by side.

Why a visual timer works in class

A plain countdown makes students read "3:27" and work out how much is left. A shrinking disc shows remaining time as an area of color, so even young students who can’t read a clock yet can tell "half left" or "almost done" at a glance, and it is readable from the back row.

By default the full disc equals the time you set. Choose the 60-minute dial to mimic a classic analog visual timer, where short activities appear as smaller wedges on the same scale. Pick red, blue, green, orange or purple.

Accurate even in a background tab

Many web timers subtract one second per tick, so they drift when you switch tabs. This timer records the end time and recalculates from the real clock on every frame, so switching to your slides and back never loses time.

The end chime is scheduled on the browser’s audio clock as soon as you press Start, so it rings on time even if the tab is hidden. The tab title shows the remaining time, the screen is kept awake (Wake Lock) while running in supporting browsers, and a running timer survives an accidental reload.

Classroom ideas

• 30-second think time before calling on anyone gives more students a chance to prepare an answer. Pair it with the random student picker.
• 5-minute group work: say what happens when the disc disappears. The digits turn red for the final 10 seconds as a wrap-up cue.
• Transitions: a 1–2 minute timer for tidying up or lining up keeps things moving without nagging.
• Turn timer: open the turn timer, switch on speaker names and run one-minute talks; "Next student" (or → / N) restarts the clock for the next speaker.
• Quiet work: mute the chime for reading or tests and let the disc do the talking.

Tips for projectors and whiteboards

• Full screen scales the disc and digits to the display; on 1920×1080 screens they sit side by side.
• Use the theme button at the top for a dark screen in a darkened room.
• If some students have trouble telling colors apart, a high-contrast blue or orange disc can help.
• If the chime is too quiet, raise Chime volume, press Test, and check the computer’s own volume.