3 minute timer
What a 3-minute timer is good for
- Brewing tea. The UK Tea & Infusions Association recommends 3 to 4 minutes for a cup of black tea. Most of us take the bag out much sooner. Add a minute if you like it strong.
- A very soft-boiled egg. British Lion's cold-water method gives a really soft yolk and set white after 3 minutes, timed from when the water is almost boiling. The egg timer has every stage.
- Short talks. Three minutes fits a lightning talk, a debate rebuttal or a show-and-tell. Rehearse with the alarm on so you know where to cut.
- A quick tidy. Three minutes of putting things away before the next lesson or before guests arrive gets more done than it sounds.
- Instant noodles and porridge pots. Many packs say three minutes; check yours.
- Handwriting practice. Copy a paragraph for three minutes, count the words, and try to beat it next time without getting messier.
How it works
Press Start and the 3-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=240 opens a 4-minute timer for a stronger brew.
Need a different length? Use the online timer. To time how long a task actually takes, use the stopwatch.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I brew tea for?
The UK Tea & Infusions Association suggests 3 to 4 minutes for black tea such as English breakfast. For other teas, follow the brewing guide on the pack.
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 add 30 seconds?
Yes. Before you press Start, change the seconds box to 30. Or press Reset, adjust the boxes and start again.