10 minute timer
What a 10-minute timer is good for
- A brisk walk. The NHS says a brisk 10-minute daily walk has health benefits and counts towards the 150 minutes of weekly activity adults are advised to do. Walk out for five minutes and back for five.
- Hard-boiled eggs. British Lion lowers large eggs into simmering water and leaves them for 10 minutes for hard-boiled. The egg timer covers softer yolks.
- A stretching routine. Ten minutes is enough for a set of stretches after a run or a long spell at a desk.
- Reading time. Ten minutes of independent reading before the register, or before lights out at home.
- Short tests. A ten-question mental maths or vocabulary test fits comfortably.
- A quick declutter. One drawer, one shelf or the car door pockets in ten minutes, then stop.
How it works
Press Start and the 10-minute countdown begins; the bar and the browser tab show the time left. The timer counts to a fixed end time, so it stays accurate if you switch tabs, and an alarm sounds at zero while the numbers flash. Full screen makes the digits readable from across a room. Space starts and pauses, R resets. To share a different length, add ?t= and a number of seconds to the address: datetime.uk/timer/?t=720 opens a 12-minute timer.
Set any other length on the online timer, or track a walk or run with the stopwatch.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 10-minute walk count as exercise?
Yes, if it is brisk. The NHS says a brisk 10-minute daily walk counts towards your 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
Will the timer keep going if I switch tabs?
Yes. It counts to a fixed end time and the alarm is scheduled in advance, so it stays accurate in a background tab. Closing the tab stops it.
Can I pause it?
Yes. Press Pause, or press Space. Press Resume to carry on from where you stopped.