6 minute timer

Set a six minute countdown that keeps running even if you switch tabs or your screen sleeps. It works from your device clock, so the last second is honest.

or press Ctrl D (⌘ D on a Mac)

Six minutes for soft-boiled eggs

A soft-boiled egg needs about six minutes in boiling water. That is the whole reason this page exists. You put the egg in, start the countdown, and walk away. The timer runs on your computer's clock, not by counting ticks. So it stays accurate when you open another tab or your laptop screen goes dark. The display refreshes several times a second, and the tab title shows the time left. You can read it from any other tab without coming back.

Six minutes is also a common length for other tasks:

A rest between heavy sets at the gym, usually 60 to 90 seconds, but six minutes for a full recovery on big lifts.
A short presentation slot or a lightning talk that runs a little longer than five minutes.
A reading sprint for one article or a few pages of a textbook.
One section of a longer exam or quiz when you split the time evenly.

If you need a different length, type it into the duration field. You can enter 5 for five seconds, 5:00 for five minutes, 1:30:00 for ninety minutes, or 90m. Clock times work too, like 9:00 am or 17:30. The alarm is a browser tone, so nothing downloads. Pick beeps, a chime, or silent with a flashing tab title. Space starts and pauses. A running timer survives a page reload on the same page because the end time is stored for that tab.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set a timer for 6 minutes?

Type 6 into the duration field, or enter 6:00 for six minutes and zero seconds. Press Space to start. The tab title shows the time left while it runs. You can switch tabs or let the screen sleep, and the countdown stays on schedule.

Will the 6 minute timer keep running if I close the tab?

No. The end time is stored for that tab, so a reload on the same page brings the timer back. Closing the tab ends it. Keep the tab open in the background if you need the alarm to sound.

Can I change the 6 minute timer to a different length?

Yes. Clear the duration box and type a new value. You can use seconds, minutes, or hours: 90, 90m, 1:30:00, or 1h 30m. The same page handles any length, so you do not need a different timer.