4 Minute Timer
Four minutes on the clock. Exactly one Tabata set, or one pot of French press coffee.
No signup. Works in any browser. A clear sound when time is up.
One Tabata set
Tabata is 20 seconds of all-out work and 10 seconds of rest, eight times over, which comes to exactly four minutes. Start this timer with the first round and you can track the rounds without counting: each one ends as the display passes a :00 or :30 mark, so there are two rounds in every minute.
French press coffee
The usual starting point for a French press, or cafetiere, is four minutes from when the water goes in. Then press and pour straight away. If it tastes bitter, go 30 seconds shorter next time. If it tastes thin, go longer.
The four minute mile
Roger Bannister ran the first mile under four minutes in May 1954, in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds. Start the timer and walk or jog for the same time to get a feel for what that pace means.
How the timer works
- Press Start and it counts down. Change the hours, minutes or seconds first if you need a different length.
- It works from your device clock, so it stays right in a background tab, and the time left shows in the tab title.
- Pick an end sound (chime, bell, beep, gentle or silent). The full screen button puts the timer alone on the screen.
- Keeps working offline once the page has loaded. No account, nothing to install.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Tabata workout?
One Tabata set is 4 minutes: 8 rounds of 20 seconds work and 10 seconds rest. Many people do two to four sets with a short rest between.
Does it sound for each interval?
No. It counts down the whole four minutes and sounds once at the end. Use the :00 and :30 marks to track the rounds.
How long should French press coffee brew?
Four minutes is the usual starting point. Adjust by 30 seconds either way to suit your taste.
Does it work without internet?
Yes, once the page has loaded.
Further reading
Other timers
Need to count up instead? Use the online stopwatch.