What is the difference between this and a fixed-protocol timer?

This timer has no fixed pattern. Work, rest, round count, and prep time are all editable, so it can reproduce Tabata-style 20/10 intervals, longer study sprints, meeting segments, or anything else you define.

Can I set work or rest longer than a minute?

Yes. Work and rest each accept minutes and seconds separately, so you can run intervals from a few seconds up to an hour.

What does the prep countdown do?

It is an optional countdown that runs once before round 1 starts, giving you time to get into position. Set it to 0 to skip it and start work immediately.

Does the timer make sound?

Yes, toggle sound on to hear a cue when each phase changes and a short beep in the final seconds of a phase.

Will the timer stay accurate if I switch browser tabs?

Yes. It tracks the actual end time rather than counting ticks, so the display catches up correctly even if the tab was backgrounded.

Can I pause mid-round?

Yes. Pause freezes the countdown exactly where it is, and Resume continues from that same point in the same phase.

Interval Timer

Set your own work duration, rest duration, round count, and prep time, then start, pause, and reset a repeating interval timer.

Interval Settings

Quick presets

Work min

Work sec

Rest min

Rest sec

Rounds

Prep sec

Sound cues

Total time: 3:45

Ready

0:30

Round 0 / 6

Summary

This interval timer runs any repeating work/rest cycle you define: set work and rest lengths in minutes and seconds, pick a round count, and add an optional prep countdown before the first round starts. It is not tied to one fixed protocol, so it works for HIIT circuits, boxing rounds, study sprints, or meeting segments alike. Quick presets fill in common patterns, and every value stays fully editable.

How it works

Set work minutes/seconds, rest minutes/seconds, the number of rounds, and an optional prep countdown.
Or click a preset to fill in a common pattern, then adjust any field as needed.
Click Start; the prep countdown (if set) runs first, then work and rest alternate automatically.
Pause anytime to freeze the countdown and Resume from the same point.
When all rounds finish, the timer shows a completion state; click Reset to configure a new run.

Use cases

Time HIIT or circuit training with custom work/rest lengths and round counts.
Run boxing or wrestling practice rounds with a rest period between them.
Structure a study session into focused work sprints with short breaks.
Time segments of a meeting or presentation with a visible countdown.
Run cooking or kitchen prep steps that repeat on a schedule.
Alternate speaking and rest turns in a debate or practice drill.
Set a long prep countdown so a group has time to get ready before the first round.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-09-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu