How to use the classroom timer
Prepare the shared display
Open this page on the computer connected to your projector or interactive whiteboard. Choose a theme visible from the back of the room.
Explain the activity and ending
Tell students what to do during the countdown and what to do when it ends. Tap a one-, two-, or five-minute preset for a brief activity.
Enlarge and review
Use Fullscreen if your browser supports it. At the ending, check the group’s progress before starting the next activity.
When a classroom countdown is useful
Think-pair-share
Use one minute of individual thinking followed by a separate two-minute discussion. Start each stage yourself after giving instructions.
Learning stations
Give each group a five- or ten-minute station window. Use loop mode only if each rotation should have the same duration.
Lesson transitions
Display a short countdown for collecting materials or packing away. Pair it with clear verbal instructions for the next step.
A timer for the whole room
- The running view hides the page content and gives the liquid countdown the whole screen.
- Pause an interruption, or stop and set a different duration without leaving the page.
- Share this page with ?minutes=10 to prepare a ten-minute countdown; recipients press Start themselves.
This tool uses the same liquid countdown as our free visual countdown timer. Choose that page for your saved general-purpose presets.
Frequently asked questions
Can I display it on an interactive whiteboard?
Yes, if the connected computer or whiteboard has a modern browser. Open this page, choose a duration and start. Test the display and controls before the lesson.
How do I use the timer in fullscreen?
Start a countdown, then use the Fullscreen button when available. If your browser does not support that button, the timer still has a distraction-free view; use the browser menu to enlarge it where supported.
Can I run classroom activities without an alarm?
Yes. Open Settings and choose No Alarm under Alarm Sound. The visual countdown still ends at zero.
Can I share a ten-minute classroom timer?
Yes. Add ?minutes=10 to this page’s URL. Ten minutes will be selected, but the timer will wait for someone to press Start.
Does it work if the classroom computer sleeps?
Keep the computer awake and the tab visible. Sleep and browser restrictions can delay the display or alarm; do not rely on it for official exam timing.