About the 5 minute timer
Five minutes is the go-to length for classroom warm-ups, brain breaks, and short independent tasks. It’s also handy at home for a quick tidy-up or a five-minute break from work.
Ways to use it
- Warm-ups and bell-ringers at the start of class.
- Brain breaks and movement breaks.
- Five-minute tidy-up challenges at home.
Frequently asked questions
Can students see the time from the back of the room?
Yes. Click Fullscreen and the numbers fill the projector screen.
Can I pause the timer?
Yes. Press Pause (or Space) and press it again to continue.
Can I keep the timer on screen while I present slides?
Yes. Click "Pop out timer" and a small timer window floats on top of everything, including Google Slides or PowerPoint in fullscreen. Drag it to a corner and resize it. In Chrome and Edge it has its own Start, Pause and Reset buttons.
How do I make the timer silent?
Click the big "Sound on" button so it says "Sound off". The timer will only flash the screen when time is up. Your choice is remembered next time.
Will the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer counts from the clock, not from the page, so it stays accurate in a background tab. The tab title also shows the time left.
Is the screen flash safe for students?
Yes. It pulses slowly, about once a second, well below the speed that can affect people with photosensitive epilepsy, and stops after 10 seconds. You can turn it off too.