Set the timer to 5 minutes

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How to use the online timer

Good tea has an optimum steep, and 5 minutes 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.

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.

Kitchen timers are great until you need one outside the kitchen, and most phone timers sit behind a lock screen and a couple of taps. A browser tab is already open on most devices anyway, so the timer is right there without hunting for an app or a gadget. It's free, needs no registration, and works the same whether you're cooking, exercising, or trying to focus. Set a timer for 5 minutes, set the timer to 5 minutes, start a 5 minutes timer — it is the same countdown either way.

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.