180:00
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Free · No app · No sign-up

3 Hour Timer

Press start — it keeps counting even if you switch tabs, and chimes when time’s up. Tap the ring to pause.

Embed this timer on your website, blog or LMS — free

Copy the code below and paste it into any web page, Google Site or learning platform. Add &theme=light or &theme=dark to the link to change the colours.

3 Hour Timer — Free 180 Minute Countdown

Need a 3 hour timer? The 180 minute countdown above is free, runs in your browser and keeps accurate time even when the tab is in the background. Switch the sound off for a quiet room, or go full screen so it reads like a wall clock.

What Three Hours Is Good For

  • Full-length practice exams — many final-year papers run for up to three hours. If your exam has reading time, use the exam timer, which adds 5, 10 or 15 minutes on top.
  • A long study day, split up — three hours works best as several shorter rounds. Try six 25-minute Pomodoros with 5-minute breaks, or three 50/10 blocks.
  • Slow cooking — braises, pulled pork, stocks and some roasts sit in the oven for around three hours.
  • Screen time and gaming limits — a long but clearly finite session.
  • Long-distance training — a long ride, hike or training block.

Staying Focused for Three Hours

Very few people can hold full concentration for three hours straight. Plan short breaks, keep water and a snack nearby, and decide in advance what you'll have finished when the timer ends. Keeping your phone in another room makes the biggest difference of all — here's our guide to keeping your phone from wrecking your focus.

Need a Different Length?

Try the 2 hour timer, the 90 minute timer, or the online timer, which takes any length up to five hours.

3 Hour Timer Video

Prefer a video version? Play the same countdown on YouTube — handy on a TV, kitchen tablet, classroom projector or second screen. Silent while it runs, with a gentle chime at the end.

3 Hour Timer – Calm Countdown with Gentle Alarm — video preview

Opens the YouTube player only when you press play. More free timer videos on our YouTube channel.

3 Hour Timer — FAQ

Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?

Yes. The countdown is based on the clock, not the tab, so it stays accurate in the background and the alarm is scheduled to sound on time. The time left also shows in the browser tab title.

Can I add reading time for an exam?

Yes — use the exam timer for 3 hours plus 5, 10 or 15 minutes of reading time, or press +1 min here before you start for each extra minute.

Is it free?

Completely free, with no sign-up, no app and no ads.