How to use the online alarm clock
Uni lectures, gym sessions before work, or just a second alarm because the first one never works: 8:00 am is a popular time to want a backup. This rings from your browser at 8:00 am. No app store, no sign-up, just a tab that needs to stay open until it fires.
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 8:00 am is written 08:00, and spoken aloud it's eight o'clock in the morning. Timetables and rosters may show it as 08:00, and handwritten notes as 8.00 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 change the alarm sound?
Yes, there's a short list of tones to choose from before you press Start. Pick whichever one you're most likely to actually hear — softer sounds are easier to sleep through than a firm chime or bell.
What happens once the alarm goes off?
It rings through your device's speakers on a loop until you stop it from this page. There's no separate app notification, so make sure your volume is turned up before you rely on it.
Is this alarm accurate across daylight saving time?
It uses your device's local clock, so as long as your computer's time and date settings are correct, it'll adjust automatically when daylight saving time starts or ends.
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.