Free online timer
30 minute timer
Half an hour is the unit most calendars think in, so it is easy to protect. Press start, close everything you do not need and work until it chimes.
- Free
- No account needed
- Chimes when time is up
How to use a 30 minute timer
- Decide what this half hour is for before you press start.
- Close every tab and app that is not part of that task.
- Press start and stay with the task until the chime.
- Write one line about what you got done, then decide whether to do another half hour.
Good uses for a half hour
Revising one topic with practice questions instead of rereading
Writing the outline for a longer piece
A focused round of job applications
Learning a language with flashcards and one short exercise
Practising an instrument with one passage on repeat
Planning tomorrow so the morning starts without decisions
A half hour you can say yes to
Big blocks of time are rare, and waiting for one is a quiet way to never start. A half hour fits between lectures, before work or after the kids are in bed, which makes it one of the easiest lengths to turn into a daily habit.
If one half hour turns into two, good. The point of the timer is the start, and a clear end that makes the start feel safe.
Focus is easier next to someone
Roomie Cafe is the same kind of timer, shared with friends. You see who else is focusing right now and write one line about what you got done when the timer ends. No webcam, nothing to book, free with no session limit.
Questions about the timer
Can I pause the 30 minute timer?
Yes. Pause keeps the exact time left, and resume carries on from there. Reset takes it back to 30 minutes.
Do I need to sign up?
No. The timer works without an account. If you want to see friends focusing at the same time, you can join Roomie Cafe for free afterwards.
Will the timer work on my phone?
Yes, it works in mobile browsers. Keep the screen awake or the tab open, because phones may pause background tabs.
How do I make a 30 minute session count?
Name one task before you start, remove your phone from reach and write down where you got when it ends. That last step makes the next session easier to start.