Timers & stopwatch guide

Countdown timers and stopwatches solve different problems. A countdown warns you when a fixed duration ends. A stopwatch measures how long something already took. Clockety offers both as free browser tools; this page explains when to use each.

Countdown timers

Set a duration, start, and wait for zero. Use countdowns when the end point matters more than the start—pasta water, exam sections, stretch holds, or lightning talks. Keep the display large enough that everyone in the room can see it. Open Timers to run one now.

Stopwatch

Start from zero and accumulate elapsed time. Use a stopwatch for races, troubleshooting sessions, or recording how long a recipe step actually took. Pause when you need a break; reset only when you intend to begin a new measurement. Open the stopwatch tool for start, pause, and reset controls.

Safe habits

• Confirm minutes and seconds before you press start.
• Reset deliberately between tasks so leftovers do not carry over.
• Silence or isolate the tab if an alarm would disrupt others.
• Do not rely on a background tab alone for critical kitchen timing—keep the page visible when safety matters.

Related reading

Return to the homepage overview, or learn how multi-city clocks support meetings in the world clocks guide.