Set the timer to 80 seconds

How to use the online timer

A French press needs a proper steep before you plunge it, and 80 seconds is the usual window for a strong, evenly extracted cup without it turning bitter. Pour the water over the grounds, start the timer straight away, and leave the plunger alone until the countdown's done instead of pressing early out of impatience. The extra minute of waiting is what separates good coffee from average coffee.

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 80 seconds or timer for 80 seconds; both land here and start the same count.