30 minute timer

Half an hour, ready when you are

This 30 minute timer is already sitting at 30:00. Set it off with "Start" or the space bar and get on with something else. It will beep half an hour from now.

What can you do in thirty minutes?

• Get moving. The WHO recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week for adults, which works out at 30 minutes on five days. A brisk walk counts.
• Focused work. One task, phone face down, no email until the beeps.
• Chill pastry. Shortcrust dough is usually rested in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before rolling.
• Screen time. Half an hour of cartoons or gaming, with the timer rather than a parent calling time.
• Revision. Thirty minutes on one subject, a short break, then the next. It beats two hours without stopping.
• Practice. Half an hour a day on an instrument adds up to three and a half hours a week.

Tips for lasting the half-hour

A long countdown is easy to forget. Leave its tab open and the remaining time stays visible in the tab title. If someone interrupts, click "Pause" rather than letting the minutes run, then "Resume". And check that your computer will not go to sleep before the end, or you will not hear the alarm.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change to 25 or 45 minutes?

The "25 min" and "45 min" buttons under "Common durations" start those countdowns directly. For 40 minutes, say, type 40 into the "Minutes" field and click "Start".

What if I close the tab by mistake?

The timer stops and the countdown in progress is lost. Open the page again and it shows 30:00 once more, waiting for you to start it.