A clock-face timer that shows time as a shrinking colored disk, so children can see how much time is left without reading numbers. Drag the disk to any time from 1 to 60 minutes, press Start and it slowly disappears until a soft alarm plays.
Last updated:
Time's up!
10:00
Drag the red disk or pick a time, then press Start.
Shortcuts: Space = start/pause, R = reset, F = full screen, arrow keys on the dial = ±1 minute, Page Up/Down = ±5 minutes.
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How to use the Visual Timer
Set the time: drag the colored disk around the dial, or tap a preset such as 5 or 15 minutes.
Name the activity (optional), for example "Clean up" or "Reading time".
Press Start: the disk shrinks back toward 0 as the minutes pass.
Go full screen to show the timer on a projector, TV or tablet.
When the disk is gone, a soft alarm plays. Press Start again to repeat or Reset to go back to the set time.
How to read a visual timer
The dial works like a 60-minute clock face. The colored disk covers the part of the face that matches the time remaining: a quarter of the dial is 15 minutes, half is 30 minutes and the full circle is 60 minutes. As time passes, the edge of the disk moves back toward 0 until the face is empty. There is no need to read numbers: more color means more time.
Disk covers
Time left
How it looks
The whole dial
60 minutes
A full colored circle
Three quarters
45 minutes
Only one quarter of the face is white
Half
30 minutes
One half colored, one half white
One quarter
15 minutes
A slice from 0 to the 15 mark
One twelfth
5 minutes
A thin slice from 0 to the 5 mark
Ideas for using a visual timer
Activity
Suggested time
Tip
Tidy up / transition
2–5 minutes
Name the activity so children see what the time is for.
Tooth brushing
2 minutes
Dentists commonly recommend brushing for two minutes.
Turn-taking with a toy or tablet
5–10 minutes
Start the timer in front of both children so the rule is clear.
Independent reading
15–20 minutes
Hide the digits so readers focus on the book, not the seconds.
Homework block
20–30 minutes
Follow with a 5-minute break timer.
Classroom test or group task
30–60 minutes
Use full screen on the board and turn on the one-minute tick.
Tips for teachers and parents
Show the timer before the activity starts and explain what happens when the color is gone.
Keep sounds soft: a gentle chime signals the end without startling sensitive children.
Use the same color for the same kind of activity, for example green for play and blue for quiet work, so the timer becomes part of the routine.
For shorter attention spans, split long tasks into several short timers rather than one long one.
Frequently asked questions
What is a visual timer?
A visual timer shows remaining time as a shape that gets smaller, usually a colored disk on a clock face. Children and anyone who finds clocks hard to read can see at a glance whether there is a lot or a little time left.
Why do visual timers help kids?
Young children often cannot yet read clock time or judge how long "five minutes" is. A shrinking disk makes time concrete, which helps with transitions, turn-taking, tidy-up time and staying on task. Many teachers and parents also use them with children who benefit from predictable routines.
How do I set the timer?
Press on the dial and drag around it: each mark is one minute and the full circle is 60 minutes. You can also tap a preset, or focus the dial and use the arrow keys (one minute) or Page Up and Page Down (five minutes).
Can I change the color or direction of the disk?
Yes. Pick red, blue, green, purple or orange, and choose whether the disk is drawn clockwise like a normal clock or counter-clockwise. Your choice is saved in your browser.
Will the timer keep running if I switch tabs or lock the screen?
The timer counts from a fixed end time, so it stays accurate when you switch tabs. While running it asks the browser to keep the screen awake. Some phones still pause web pages when the screen locks, so keep the page open on a plugged-in device for long sessions.
Is the alarm loud?
No. The default is a soft two-note chime, played three times, and you can choose gentle bells, beeps or no sound and set the volume. Use Play test sound to check the level before class.
Can I hide the numbers?
Yes. Turn off Show digital time and only the disk remains, which is helpful for children who get anxious watching seconds count down.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.