2 Minute Timer
Two minutes is the brushing time the UK’s NHS gives – and a good length for short rounds. The countdown starts right away – pause, restart or go full screen with a click or the space bar.
Source: MDN: Web Audio API (alarm sound without an audio file). Updated: .
How it is calculated
How the 2 minute timer works
When the page opens, the 2 minutes countdown starts automatically. The timer stores the end time and recalculates the display from the clock on every frame, so it doesn’t fall behind in a background tab.
Browsers only allow sound after a user interaction. Tap the page or press a key once; the alarm is then scheduled on the browser’s audio clock and plays on time, without loading an audio file.
2 minutes in numbers
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Seconds | 120 |
| Milliseconds | 120,000 |
| Share of an hour | 0.033 |
| Rounds per hour | 30 |
| Rounds in an 8-hour day | 240 |
Basis: 1 minute = 60 seconds, 1 hour = 60 minutes (BIPM SI Brochure, Table 8).
When will the alarm go off?
- Start at 9:00 a.m. → alarm at 9:02 a.m.
- Start at 2:55 p.m. → alarm at 2:57 p.m.
- Start at 11:45 p.m. → alarm at 11:47 p.m.
While it runs, the exact end time is shown below the display. A pause moves the end by the length of the pause.
What is a 2 minute timer good for?
- Brushing teeth: the NHS advises brushing twice a day for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste. In full screen, kids can see how much time is left.
- Presentations: a lightning talk or a status update with a hard stop.
- Training: rest between sets or a quick warm-up.
- Classroom: think-pair-share with two minutes per phase.
Other lengths
1 minute timer · 5 minute timer · 10 minute timer · 15 minute timer · 20 minute timer · 30 minute timer · 1 hour timer – or any time you like in the online timer with custom input.
Limits
Many phones pause web pages while the screen is locked; the time is correct again after unlocking, but the alarm may not sound. Closing the tab ends the timer. For important wake-up times, use your phone’s alarm clock.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2 minute timer start automatically?
Yes. The 2 minutes countdown starts as soon as the page opens. “Pause” or the space bar stops it, “Reset” sets it back to the start.
How long should you brush your teeth?
The NHS says to brush “twice a day for about 2 minutes” with fluoride toothpaste. This timer measures the time; your dentist can advise on technique.
Can I show the 2 minute timer full screen for kids?
Yes. “Full screen” fills the display and the bar shows progress. At zero an alarm sounds, as long as the page was tapped once beforehand.
Why is there no alarm sound?
Browsers only play sound after a user interaction. Tapping the page or pressing a key once is enough. Also check the volume, the mute switch and the “Play sound when time is up” box.
Can I change the time?
Yes. Change hours, minutes and seconds in the form or pick a preset (1 to 60 minutes). The general timer handles any length up to 99 hours.
Sources and legal basis
- MDN: Web Audio API (alarm sound without an audio file)
- MDN: Autoplay guide for media and Web Audio (sound only after user interaction)
- BIPM: SI Brochure, Table 8 (1 min = 60 s, 1 h = 3,600 s)
- NHS: How to keep your teeth clean (“about 2 minutes”)
As of:
Related tools
- Online TimerFree online countdown timer: enter any time or tap a 5, 10 or 15 minute preset, get an alarm when time is up, remaining time in the tab. No sign-up.
- 1 Minute TimerFree 1 minute timer that starts as soon as the page opens, counts down to the second and rings at zero. Full screen and pause, no video ads.
- 5 Minute TimerFree 5 minute timer that starts as soon as the page opens, counts down to the second and rings at zero. Full screen and pause, no video ads.
- Online StopwatchFree online stopwatch with lap times, fastest/slowest lap and copy-to-clipboard. Keeps running after switching tabs or reloading the page.
- 1 Hour TimerFree 1 hour timer that starts as soon as the page opens, counts down to the second and rings at zero. Full screen and pause, no video ads.
- 10 Minute TimerFree 10 minute timer that starts as soon as the page opens, counts down to the second and rings at zero. Full screen and pause, no video ads.