Countdown Timer

How to use the countdown timer

Optionally give your event a name, pick a target date and time, and the countdown starts immediately. The four quick buttons set common targets: Midnight tonight (11:59 PM today), New Year's Day (midnight at the start of next January), 1 week away and 30 days away. You can adjust the date and time after using a preset.

How it works

The timer compares your target with the current time on your device and updates every second, showing whole days, hours, minutes and seconds remaining. When the target passes, it shows zeros and tells you the date has arrived. Days are not converted to weeks or months, so a date 100 days away shows as 100 days.

• Time zone: the target is read in your device's local time zone. For an event set in another zone, such as a webinar at 3 PM Eastern, convert the time first with the time zone converter.
• Daylight saving: the countdown measures real elapsed time. If clocks change before your target, the hours shown reflect the actual time left, so it can differ by an hour from a simple count of calendar days.
• Saving: the page doesn't store your countdown, so refreshing resets the date. Keep a note of your target date, or bookmark the page after setting it up.
• Keep the tab open: the display updates only while the page is open.

Worked example

Common uses

Trips and vacations, exam dates, project deadlines, product launches, weddings, birthdays, holidays, moving days and sale end times. Naming the event puts it in the heading, which is handy for screenshots or screen sharing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I count down to a date in the past?

No. If the target is already behind you, the timer shows zeros and says the date has arrived. To measure how long ago something happened, use the date calculator or the age calculator.

Why is it off by a few seconds from another clock?

The timer trusts your device's clock. If your computer or phone is a few seconds fast or slow, the countdown will be too.