How to use the online timer
Good tea has an optimum steep, and 165 seconds is about right for a lot of black teas before they turn bitter and stewed. Set it going as soon as the water hits the leaves, wander off to do something else, and come back when it calls you rather than hovering over the pot. It's a small habit that makes the difference between a decent cuppa and a rushed, weak one.
There's no setup beyond pressing Start, and the countdown handles the rest on its own from that point. Since it runs inside the browser, keep the tab open for the timer to keep an accurate count; you can switch to other tabs in the meantime, but closing this one out resets things. When the countdown hits zero, a sound plays so you're not stuck staring at the numbers.
Setting an egg timer or fumbling with a phone app both work, but neither is as quick as a browser tab you already have open. There's no app store, no update prompt, and no login screen between you and starting the count. It's free and needs no registration, it works on any device with a browser, and closing other tabs won't affect it as long as this one stays open. If you would rather say put a timer on for 165 seconds, that works too — press Start and the page does the rest.
Common questions
Can I use the timer on my phone?
Yes. It works in any mobile browser, though the tab still needs to stay open rather than sitting behind other apps for a reliable count.
Does the timer make a sound when it finishes?
Yes, an alarm plays once it reaches zero, provided your device's volume is turned up and the tab hasn't been muted.
Can I pause the timer partway through?
Yes, pause and resume are both available, so you can stop the count if you're interrupted and pick up again exactly where you left off.
Can I set a custom time instead of the preset?
Yes, most pages let you adjust the minutes and seconds directly, so you're not limited to the exact length shown in the page title.