How to use the online alarm clock
The arvo slump hits hard after lunch, and an alarm for 5:30 pm is often just a way to stop a short break turning into an hour. Set it, pick a sound, and this page will ring at 5:30 pm through your speakers to get you back on track.
Using it is simple: pick a ringtone from the list, press Start, and leave this tab open in your browser. The alarm runs entirely on this page, so closing the browser will stop it from going off. Come back a minute early if you're not sure you trust it yet.
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 5:30 pm is written 17:30, and spoken aloud it's half past five in the evening. You'll also see it written 5.30 pm — a full stop instead of the colon means the same time. Setting the alarm to 5:30 pm tomorrow morning works the same way: if the time has gone for today, the count runs through to it.
Common questions
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.
Will the alarm still ring if I close the browser tab?
No. The alarm only runs while this tab stays open — closing it, or closing the browser entirely, stops the countdown before it can ring. Keep the tab open in the background if you need it to go off later.
Does the alarm work if my laptop goes to sleep?
Not reliably. If the device sleeps or the screen locks, the browser tab pauses along with it, so the alarm may not fire on time or at all. Adjust your power settings if you're relying on this over a longer stretch.