Classroom Timer
Press start — it keeps counting even if you switch tabs, and chimes when time’s up. Tap the ring to pause.
Classroom Timer — Free Full-Screen Countdown for Teachers
A free classroom timer you can put on the board in one click. Press Full screen and the countdown ring fills your projector or smartboard, readable from the back row. Set any length with −1/+1 (or pick a preset below the clock), and switch the end-of-time chime off with Sound off for tests and quiet work. No login, no ads, nothing to install.
Why Teachers Use a Visible Timer
"How long do we have left?" is one of the most-asked questions in any classroom. A visible countdown answers it for everyone at once, so students manage their own pace and you don't have to keep calling time. Shrinking time is concrete in a way a spoken warning isn't — which is also why visual timers are a common support for students with ADHD and autistic learners who find transitions hard.
Classroom Routines That Run Better on a Timer
- Transitions — two minutes to pack up, move desks or line up. Put the clock on screen and let it do the reminding.
- Group work — a clear ten or fifteen minutes keeps groups on task and ends discussion on time.
- Silent reading and independent work — turn the sound off and let the ring show progress without interrupting anyone.
- Timed tests and quick quizzes — a big countdown mirrors real exam conditions.
- Brain breaks — a short movement or mindfulness break with a firm finish; our breathing exercise works well projected too.
- Presentations — give every student the same time slot, visibly and fairly.
Tips for Using the Timer in Class
- Say the time out loud as you start it — "You have ten minutes" — then let the screen take over.
- Give a halfway check-in for longer tasks so nobody is surprised at the end.
- Keep the sound off during focused work and on for transitions, so the chime always means "move".
- Press space to pause in full screen when an interruption comes up.
Want a Timer That Doesn't Need the Projector?
A physical visual timer sits on your desk or the whiteboard ledge all day, silently showing time as a shrinking coloured disc. See our classroom visual timers, or our visual timers for younger kids.
Classroom Timer — FAQ
How do I show the timer on a projector or smartboard?
Open this page on the classroom computer and press Full screen. The ring and the digits scale to fill the display. Press the space bar to pause or resume while it's full screen.
Can I turn the alarm off for tests?
Yes. Press Sound on to switch it to Sound off — the ring still turns gold and the clock flashes when time is up, without a sound. Your choice is remembered next time.
Does it work if I switch to another tab or slide?
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.
Is it free for schools?
Yes — completely free, with no login, no ads and nothing to install. Share the link with other teachers.