40 Second Timer
A free 40 second timer, preset and ready. Press Start for a quick 40 seconds countdown with an alarm at zero. Perfect for short drills, plank holds, brushing teeth and quick games. Runs in your browser — no download.
What is this timer good for?
- A plank, wall-sit or other isometric hold
- Brushing teeth (the dentist's recommended length)
- A quick HIIT interval or sprint
- A board-game or quiz turn timer
- A short breathing or grounding exercise
How to use it
- The timer opens preset to 40 seconds.
- Adjust the hours, minutes or seconds for a different length.
- Press Start and the big display counts down.
- An alarm sounds at 00:00:00 — press Reset to run it again.
How long is 40 seconds?
40 seconds is 67% of a minute. At a relaxed speaking pace of two words per second, about 80 words fit into this window. Half of 40 seconds is 20 seconds, and two rounds back to back add up to 1 minute 20 seconds.
Forty seconds of work with twenty seconds of rest is a popular HIIT ratio.
Things that take about 40 seconds
- Give kids exactly 40 seconds for a speed tidy-up race or for taking turns on a toy.
- Rest between weight-lifting sets — 40 seconds keeps the intensity high without letting muscles cool down.
- Use 40 seconds as the answer clock in quiz nights, charades and board games.
- Time a 40-second breathing exercise: inhale slowly, hold, then exhale against the clock.
FAQ
Will it ring if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer calibrates against your system clock, so it stays accurate even in a background tab. Just don't close the tab.
Do I need to download anything?
No. The timer runs entirely in your browser with no download, signup or plugin.
Can I change the duration?
Yes. Type any hours, minutes and seconds into the fields, or pick a related timer above.
Is it free?
Yes, it is completely free to use.
How long is 40 seconds really?
40 seconds is 40 seconds — 67% of a minute.
Can I restart the 40-second countdown when it finishes?
Yes. When the alarm sounds, press Reset and then Start to run the full 40 seconds again — handy for repeated rounds.