Big Visual Timer

A large, calm countdown for the whiteboard. The ring shrinks as time passes, turns amber in the last minute and red in the last ten seconds, and a soft three-note chime tells the class time is up.

By the Little Classroom Tools team · Reviewed by qualified UK primary and secondary school teachers · Last updated 23 October 2026

How to use the Big Visual Timer

1. Choose a preset (1, 2, 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes) or type any length from 1 to 180 minutes under Custom minutes.
2. Press Start. Press it again to pause and once more to resume.
3. Press Fullscreen to fill the board with the timer, then press the same button (or Esc) to leave.
4. Untick Chime at the end if you prefer a silent finish.

Ways to use it in class

• Task transitions: put a two-minute timer on the board while the class tidies, so the end point is visible rather than argued over.
• Timed starters and retrieval practice: five minutes, pens down when the ring empties.
• Pair talk: a one-minute ring makes turn-taking fair without you interrupting.
• Group work checkpoints: run a ten-minute ring, then reset it for the next stage.

Good to know

• The countdown uses your computer’s clock, so it stays accurate even if the browser tab is briefly in the background.
• The browser tab title shows the time remaining, which helps if you switch tabs.
• Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.

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