How to use the online alarm clock
Setting an alarm for 12:20 am while everyone else is asleep can feel like cheating the clock, but it's usually just planning ahead for an early departure or a shift that starts before sunrise. This will sound at 12:20 am through your speakers, whether it's the depths of winter or a short summer night.
There's a short list of sounds to choose from before you press Start — pick one that suits how deep a sleeper you are. Once it's set, the page keeps time in the background of your browser, and it'll sound at the moment you selected, provided the tab hasn't been closed.
The advantage of a browser alarm is volume and reliability at a desk: laptop speakers are often louder and easier to hear across a room than a phone left in a bag. The catch is that it depends entirely on the tab staying open; if the browser closes or the laptop sleeps, the alarm won't fire. On a 24-hour clock 12:20 am is written 00:20, and spoken aloud it's twenty past twelve at night. Timetables and rosters may show it as 00:20, and handwritten notes as 12.20 am. Set an alarm for 12:20 am, set the alarm to 12:20 am, set my alarm for 12:20 am — all of it lands on this page and does the same thing.
Common questions
Can I use this on my phone instead of a laptop?
Yes, it works in a mobile browser the same way, but phones are more likely to lock the screen or sleep, which can stop the alarm from ringing. A laptop or desktop tends to be more reliable for this.
Can I set more than one alarm at a time?
This page is built around a single alarm at a time. For multiple alarms, open a separate tab for each one and set a different time in each, keeping every tab open until it's rung.
Why use a browser alarm instead of my phone's built-in one?
Mainly for reliability against silent mode, do-not-disturb, or a phone left charging out of earshot. It's a useful backup or a desk-based alternative, though it depends on this tab staying open rather than running in the background of your phone.
Is there a cost to use this?
No, it's free, with no sign-up and no limit on how many times you set it. It just needs the tab left open until the time you've chosen arrives.