Classroom Timer

Run classroom activities, breaks and lesson stages with a large shared timer.

Options

Leave a field blank to disable that warning.

20:00

Set a duration and press Start.

Keyboard shortcuts
  • Space — Start, pause or resume
  • R — Restart from the full duration
  • F — Enter or exit fullscreen
  • M — Mute or unmute the alert

How this calculator works

Opens as a single quick timer — the 5, 10, 20, 45 and 60-minute presets cover most classroom activities without any setup. Enter a custom duration instead if none of the presets fit.

Switch to Stages for a full lesson plan: the default template moves through Instruction, Independent work and Review as separate timed blocks, advancing automatically from one to the next.

Warning thresholds (5 and 1 minute by default) give students visible notice before time runs out, and fullscreen mode makes the display readable from across the room on a shared screen or projector.

The tool is arithmetic only. Where legal, payroll, holiday, timezone or jurisdiction-specific rules matter, the page states what is and is not included.

Frequently asked questions

Can the timer change activities automatically?

Yes, when you switch to Stages — Classroom's stages default to automatic changes, so the timer moves from Instruction to Independent work to Review on its own as each block's time runs out.

Can I show this timer on a classroom projector?

Yes. Fullscreen mode enlarges the countdown for a shared screen or projector, readable from across the room.

Do I have to use stages, or can I just set a quick timer?

A quick single timer is the default — pick a preset or enter a custom duration and press Start. Stages are there when you want a full lesson plan instead, but they're never required.