How to use the online sand timer
- Choose a time: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 or 60 minutes, or enter your own.
- Press Start or tap the hourglass. The sand runs from the top to the bottom.
- When the top is empty, the hourglass flashes and a sound plays.
- Press Flip to turn it over and start again from full.
Why a sand timer?
An hourglass shows time without numbers: you can see at a glance how much is left. That makes the sand clock perfect for children who cannot read the clock yet, for board games and quizzes, for brushing teeth (2 minutes) and for classrooms where everybody should see the time. Turn off “Show time” for a pure hourglass, or keep the digits on for exact minutes and seconds.
Popular sand timer durations
- 1 minute sand timer: quick rounds in games, a minute of silence, speaking turns.
- 3 minute sand timer: tea, a short presentation or a game round.
- 5 and 10 minute hourglass: classroom tasks, tidy up time, short breaks.
- 30 and 60 minute sand timer: study sessions, exams and reading time.
Prefer a disc that shrinks? Try the visual timer for kids. For a plain countdown use the online timer or the 3 minute timer.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the sand timer run?
As long as you choose: from 1 to 60 minutes with the buttons, or up to 600 minutes with your own time.
Is the online hourglass accurate?
Yes. Unlike a real sand timer, it measures with your device’s clock and ends exactly on time. Real hourglasses often vary by several seconds.
Can I hide the numbers?
Yes. Turn off “Show time” and only the hourglass is visible, which works well for young children.
Does it make a sound at the end?
Yes, if “Sound at the end” is on. Turn it off for a silent sand timer, for example in a library or exam.
Can I show the sand timer on a projector?
Yes. Press the fullscreen button and the hourglass fills the screen, perfect for whiteboards and TVs.