Set the timer to 41 minutes

How to use the online timer

A study session of 41 minutes sits in a decent range for reading a chapter or working through a problem set before your concentration starts to slip. Start the timer, put your phone somewhere you can't see it, and commit to staying on the one task until it finishes rather than switching between subjects every few minutes. Ending on time makes it easier to judge how many blocks a subject needs.

Using it is as simple as it sounds: hit Start and the countdown takes over from there. Keep the browser tab open while it runs, since the timer only keeps counting while the page stays loaded, and pause or reset it any time if your plans change. When time's up, a sound plays to let you know, so you don't need to keep glancing at the screen.

A kitchen timer only works in the kitchen, and a phone timer competes with texts, calls, and every other app fighting for your attention. Keeping the countdown in a browser tab sidesteps both problems: it goes wherever your laptop or phone goes, and it isn't trying to notify you about anything else. Minimise it, work on something else, and it'll be counting when you check back. People type this as set timer 41 minutes or timer for 41 minutes; both land here and start the same count.