Transitions
Start a 2-minute Clean-up and say what “done” looks like before you press Start: supplies away, chairs in, eyes on the board. Classes beat the clock once they can see it.
Classroom Timer
Tap a routine or a minute key, press Start, and show a big countdown on the projector, with a gentle alarm when time is up. Free, no sign-up.
Countdown timer
Ready
05:00
Routines sets time + label
Quick minutes
Label and alarm
Settings stay in this browser. The alarm plays in your theme's voice.
Press Space to start or pause · + − a minute · R reset · F full screen
How it works
How to use the classroom timer
- Choose a timeTap a routine card such as Clean-up, a minute key, or type minutes and seconds under Custom time (up to 240 minutes).
- Name itRoutines fill in the label for you. Or type your own, like “Math centers”, and it shows above the numbers.
- Press StartPause, resume, or add and take away a minute while it runs. The sand drains as time passes.
- Put it on the boardPress F for full screen on the projector. The buttons fade while it runs until you move the mouse.
From the classroom
Classroom timing tips
A visible countdown takes the nagging out of routines: students can see how long is left, so you don't have to keep announcing it.
Centers and stations
Use the same time at every station, often 10 to 15 minutes in elementary rotations, with the Bell so groups hear the switch. Add a minute in the first rotation while students learn the routine.
Tests and quizzes
Show the time in full screen with Gentle beeps or the sound off, and turn off the flash so it doesn't distract students who are still working. For extended time, open a second timer in another tab.
Brain breaks
Two or three minutes is enough for a movement break. Spin the brain break wheel for an activity, then tap the Brain break routine so the break ends on time.
Presets
Routine presets at a glance
Each routine card sets the time and the label in one tap. Change either one afterwards if your class needs longer.
| Routine | Time | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 🧹 Clean-up | 2:00 | Desks and supplies tidy before the next lesson or the bell |
| 🤸 Brain break | 3:00 | A movement or breathing break between lessons |
| 💬 Think-pair-share | 4:00 | One minute to think alone, then three to talk with a partner |
| 📝 Quiz | 15:00 | A short check for understanding or an exit quiz |
| 📖 Silent reading | 20:00 | An independent reading block with a calm finish |
FAQ
Classroom timer questions
How do I put a timer on Google Slides?
Slides can't run a live countdown on its own. Keep this timer open in a second tab and switch to it when you need it (Alt+Tab on a Chromebook or PC, Cmd+Tab on a Mac). It keeps counting while your slides are up and the alarm still rings. You can also link this page from a slide and click it during class.
Can the timer make a sound when time is up?
Yes. Pick Chime, Bell or Gentle beeps under Alarm sound, set the volume and press Test sound. Turn on Repeat until stopped if you want it to keep ringing until you press Stop alarm. There is no music in this version.
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. It counts from your device's clock, not from the page's animation, so it stays accurate in a background tab and the time shows in the tab title. The alarm is queued ahead with your device's audio, so it rings on time on computers and Chromebooks. Some phones pause sound in background tabs; the timer still shows Time's up when you come back.
How do I show the timer full screen on a projector or smartboard?
Press Full screen or the F key. The display fills the screen, there are no ads, and the buttons fade while it runs until you move the mouse or touch the screen. The screen stays awake while the timer runs, where your browser allows it. Press Esc to go back.
Can I add or take away time while it's running?
Yes. Use the +1 min and −1 min buttons or the + and − keys. When time is up, +1 min gives the class one more minute and starts again right away.
Is the timer free? Do I need an account?
It's free and needs no sign-up. Your sound and label settings stay in this browser. ChalkSpin is supported by ads, which never appear on the timer itself or in full screen.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Space
- Start, pause or resume
- +−
- Add or take away a minute
- R
- Reset to the time you set
- F
- Full screen on or off
- Esc
- Stop the alarm or leave full screen
Keep going
More classroom tools
Classroom stopwatch
Count up with laps for PE, labs and reading fluency checks.
Spin the wheel
Pick a name, a job or a brain break, fairly and in full screen.
Random group generator
Split the class into groups, then time each round here.
Brain break wheel
40 quick movement and calm-down breaks to spin before the timer.
Indoor recess games wheel
Rainy-day games for the room, timed with a big countdown.
Bingo card generator
Vocabulary and review bingo cards, printed from your browser.