Set the timer to 3 minutes

00:00:00

How to use the online timer

Getting eggs exactly how you like them comes down to timing, and 3 minutes is a starting point plenty of people use for soft yolks with just-set whites. Drop the eggs in once the water's rolling, start the timer straight away, and pull them out the moment it finishes rather than leaving them to keep cooking in the hot water. A few seconds either way changes the whole result.

Hit Start whenever you're ready and the timer runs on its own from there, no further clicking required until it finishes. It only counts while the tab stays open, so leave it running in the background rather than closing the browser or navigating away if you need the time to stay accurate. Once it reaches zero, an alarm sound lets you know without you having to keep checking the page.

A phone timer works fine until a call comes in or a notification steals the screen at the worst moment. Running it in a browser tab keeps it separate from all that, ticking away quietly in the background of your computer or phone without competing for attention until it's done. There's nothing to install and nothing to sign up for, just a page that does one job well. People type this as set timer 3 minutes or timer for 3 minutes; both land here and start the same count.

Common questions

Does the timer work without an internet connection?

The page needs to load once, but the countdown itself runs locally in your browser, so a dropped connection partway through won't stop it.

Will the timer still run if my laptop goes to sleep?

No, if the device sleeps or the browser is suspended, the countdown pauses along with it, so keep your screen awake for an accurate result.

Is there a cost to use the timer?

No, it's free to use, with no registration, sign-up, or hidden limit on how many times you can run it.

Can I run more than one timer at once?

Yes, opening the page in separate tabs lets you track a few things at the same time, each counting down independently of the others.