Kitchen Timer

Set a kitchen countdown for an oven, stove or resting step and keep the large display visible while you prepare the next dish. Test the browser alarm first and use a dedicated kitchen timer as backup for unattended or safety-critical cooking.

00:00

Tip: press Space to start or pause, R to reset, F for full screen.

About the Kitchen Timer

In short

Use one kitchen timer per independently finishing step, name it by the food, and verify doneness separately when safety matters.

A kitchen timer keeps a recipe step from becoming an exercise in memory. Name the countdown after the food, start it at the exact trigger stated by the recipe, and keep separate alarms for dishes that finish independently.

Time predicts when to check; it does not prove that food is safe or done. Size, starting temperature, appliance calibration and pan material can change the result. For meat, poultry and egg dishes, use the USDA's safe temperature chart and a food thermometer.

Start at the recipe's real trigger

InstructionStart the timer
Simmer for 10 minutesWhen the liquid reaches a steady simmer
Bake for 25 minutesWhen the dish enters the preheated oven
Rest for 5 minutesWhen the food leaves the heat

Tip: Preheat before starting a bake timer unless the recipe says otherwise.

Tip: Set an early check for unfamiliar ovens or unusually small portions.

Tip: Use a thermometer or recipe-specific doneness test in addition to time.

One timer or several?

Use this page for one active step. Open the multi-timer when dishes overlap, or the egg timer for method-specific boiled egg guidance. Label alarms “pasta,” “oven tray” or “resting” so the finish sound leads to the right action.

How to Use the Kitchen Timer

  1. Set the timeEnter your cooking time, from a few minutes for eggs to an hour for a roast.
  2. Press StartThe full-screen countdown is easy to read from anywhere in the kitchen.
  3. Cook hands-freeGet on with the rest of the meal; the alarm brings you back.
  4. Run several at onceTiming more than one dish? Use the multi-timer to watch them side by side.

Related on timer.now: cooking timer, egg timer, multi-timer and cooking timer guide.

Browse all online timer tools by activity and timer type.

For audible alerts, keep the page open and test the sound. Browser alarm limits.

Best Uses for the Kitchen Timer

Baking & roasting

Watch cookies, bread, trays and roasts precisely.

Pasta & rice

Use the recipe time as a cue to check texture and doneness.

Boiling eggs

Use the egg timer for soft, medium or hard.

Resting meat

Let a joint or steak rest for the right few minutes.

Kitchen Timer Compared With Similar Timers

ToolChoose it when
Cooking Timerone recipe step needs a simple countdown
Multi-Timerseveral dishes need independent alarms

Related Online Timers

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Kitchen Timer - FAQ

Can I run more than one kitchen timer?
Yes. Open the multi-timer to run several named countdowns at once, or open a tab per dish and name each one.
Will the alarm ring if I switch tabs?
The displayed time corrects from your device clock, but browser audio is not guaranteed in a hidden or locked device. Keep the page open and use a kitchen-timer backup for safety-critical steps.
Is the kitchen timer free?
Completely - No download, no sign-up and no ads in the way.
Does cooking time guarantee food is safe?
No. Cooking time varies with equipment and food size. Follow authoritative temperature guidance and check with a food thermometer where appropriate.
When should I use Multi-Timer?
Use it when two or more dishes or recipe stages are counting down at the same time and need separate names and alarms.

Want a timer on your own page? Build an iframe embed with a custom title, theme and dimensions.