How to use the online alarm clock
An alarm at 4:50 am in the dead of night usually means a red-eye flight, a delivery run, or a newborn's next feed. This sets a browser alarm for 4:50 am that rings through your laptop speakers, so you don't need to fumble for your phone in the dark. Leave the tab open and it'll do the waking for you.
After picking a tone, press Start and leave the page open. It doesn't need an internet connection once it's running, but it does need the tab itself to stay open, so avoid closing the browser or letting the device fall asleep before the time is reached.
Because this runs in the browser rather than on the phone's operating system, it sidesteps silent mode and do-not-disturb entirely, useful if your phone alarm has ever failed to go off for exactly that reason. Just be aware it needs the tab open and the screen or laptop lid to stay on to actually ring. On a 24-hour clock 4:50 am is written 04:50, and spoken aloud it's ten to five in the morning. Timetables and rosters may show it as 04:50, and handwritten notes as 4.50 am. If you need it loud, turn the system volume up before you start: the alarm plays at whatever the device is set to.
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.