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2 Minute Timer

The 2 minute timer

Two minutes is the standard answer for the small jobs people put off. It is also the classic brushing time and the length of a soft-boiled egg once the water is back to a boil.

Press start and the ring empties as the time runs down. The remaining time also appears in the tab title, so you can work in another window and still see it. When it reaches zero the tone plays until you stop it.

What 2 minute is good for

What people actually use this length for:

  • The “if it takes two minutes, do it now” rule for email and admin
  • Brushing teeth, morning and night
  • Soft-boiled eggs, from the moment the water returns to the boil
  • A two-minute plank or stretch hold
  • Timed answers in a debate or a class presentation

Two minutes is also a good length for a decision timer: give yourself the two minutes, then choose.

Other timers

Need a different length? Try 1 Minute Timer, 3 Minute Timer, 4 Minute Timer, or set any duration on the timer hub.

Questions people ask

Does the timer keep running if I open another tab?

Yes. It works from the finishing moment rather than counting ticks, so background throttling does not slow it down.

Can I change the sound?

Fifty tones are listed beside the timer, from a soft chime to a klaxon. Your choice is remembered on this device.

Will it start automatically?

Only if the site is set that way. Otherwise press start when you are ready — which is usually what you want for a preset timer.

Where to go next

This is the 2 minute timer — its own page, so you can bookmark it or send the link to someone rather than setting the duration again. If you need the time somewhere else rather than a timer, World Clock has every country and city.