1 Minute Timer
Sixty seconds is long enough for a burst of focus and short enough that nobody drifts off. Use this one-minute timer for quick-fire recall, a speedy tidy-up or a turn-and-talk.
How to use it
- The timer is already set to 1 minute. Press Start or the Space bar to begin, and Space again to pause.
- Press Present (or F) to show it full screen. Pick Pie, Bar or Digits, and choose an end sound.
- When time is up you'll hear the chime and see "Time's up!". Press Start again for another round, or +1 min if the class needs longer.
Ways to use a 1 minute timer in class
- Minute to win it: list as many words, facts or examples as you can before the chime.
- Turn and talk: one minute each way, so both partners get an equal turn.
- Speed tidy: everything back in its place before the timer ends.
Other timer lengths
Questions teachers ask
Is a one-minute timer too short to be useful?
It's ideal for tasks with a clear finish line. Short deadlines create urgency without stress, and you can always press +1 min if the class needs a little longer.
Can I run the minute again straight away?
Yes. When time is up, press Start again (or Space) and the full minute starts over, which makes back-to-back rounds of a game quick to run.
Does the timer keep going if I switch tabs or my laptop is busy?
Yes. The timer works from the clock, not by counting ticks, so it stays exact if you switch to your slides or another tab. The end sound still plays when time is up.
Will my screen go to sleep while the timer runs?
In most browsers, no. While a timer is running the page asks the device to keep the screen on, and lets it sleep again when you pause or the time is up.
Can students see it from the back of the room?
Press Present (or the F key) for a full-screen timer with huge digits. Choose Digits for the largest numbers, or Pie for a shape younger students can read without telling the time.