Set the timer to 8 minutes

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How to use the online timer

Getting eggs exactly how you like them comes down to timing, and 8 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.

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. People type this as set timer 8 minutes or timer for 8 minutes; both land here and start the same count.

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.