Time Until

30 second timer

This page runs a 30 second countdown that stays accurate even when you switch tabs. It is for anyone who needs to time a short, exact interval right now.

0:30

Press Start, or type a time and press Enter. The tab title shows the countdown, so you can switch to another tab.

or press Ctrl D (⌘ D on a Mac)

Planks, HIIT intervals and other 30 second jobs

You set your phone down, get into a plank, and start the clock. Thirty seconds is short enough to feel urgent and long enough to matter. The same length shows up in a HIIT work interval, which often runs 20 to 45 seconds. It also fits a rest between sets when you want a quick turnaround instead of the usual 60 to 90 seconds.

Teachers use it for a quick quiz section or a think-pair-share. Speakers use it for a lightning talk slot or a timed answer in a speech round. At home, it covers a microwave step or the first rinse of a laundry cycle. None of these need a long countdown, and none of them work well if the timer drifts.

This timer reads the computer's clock instead of counting ticks. That means it keeps the right time when the tab is in the background or the device sleeps. The display refreshes several times a second. The alarm is a tone made in the browser, so nothing downloads. You can pick beeps, a chime, or silent with a flashing tab title. The tab title shows the time left, so you can read it from another tab. Space starts and pauses. A running timer survives a page reload on the same page.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set a timer for 30 seconds?

Open the timer page and leave the preset at 30 seconds, or type 30 into the duration field. Press Space or the start control. The countdown begins right away, and the tab title shows the time left while it runs.

Does the 30 second timer keep running if I switch tabs?

Yes. The timer works from the computer's clock, not by counting ticks, so it stays accurate when the tab is in the background or the device sleeps. A running timer also survives a page reload on the same page.

Can I change the 30 seconds to a different length?

Yes. Type a new number for seconds, or use formats like 5:00 for minutes and seconds, 1:30:00 for hours, or 90m and 1h 30m. The same field accepts clock times such as 9:00 am or 17:30.