USER GUIDE
How to use OnTime
Learn how to set a time, switch displays, and save or share settings.
Timer
Count down a set duration. Use it for a 50-minute class, 20-minute exercise, 5-minute presentation, or another timed activity.
Pomodoro
Alternate focus sessions and breaks. Set the focus duration, short break, final long break, and number of sessions to build your study routine.
Stopwatch
Measure elapsed time. Use it to time problem solving, rehearse a presentation, or see how long an activity takes.
Getting started
The standard display uses the hours:minutes:seconds (HH:MM:SS) format. For example, 50 minutes appears as 00:50:00, with hour, minute, and second labels below the numbers. Fullscreen uses MM:SS for times under an hour, and HH:MM:SS for times of an hour or longer.
- Choose a mode and set the time. In timer mode, preset buttons let you quickly choose a common duration.
- Check the alert sound and display settings. Before class, preview the sound and check your device volume.
- Start begins timing. To stop temporarily, use Pause; to start over, use Reset.
- Fullscreen places large numbers inside a thick circular ring. The same layout works in landscape and portrait. Move the mouse or touch the screen to show controls; they hide after about 2.5 seconds.
Change the display using the Dark mode / Light mode buttons at the top or inside the timer. In fullscreen, the theme button is available while controls are visible.
The colored part of the ring shrinks in proportion to the time remaining out of the set duration. The standard display uses a progress bar. The stopwatch does not show a ring.
Click the numbers or an empty area in fullscreen to start or pause. While running, the colons pulse gently each second. The animation stops when paused.
Classroom examples
| Activity | Example setting | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Class or exam | 50-minute timer | Connect a projector and use fullscreen. Exam supervisors should also check a separate clock. |
| Individual exercises | 10-minute timer | Show the remaining time where students can see it to help them prepare for the next activity. |
| Presentation practice | Stopwatch | Start when the presentation begins and pause when it ends to check the actual duration. |
| Study or homework | 25 minutes of focus / 5-minute break | Start with shorter sessions. Adjust the timing to your task and energy level. |
Saving and sharing settings
Give frequently used timers a name and save them. Alert and display settings, saved timers, the latest session, and daily focus records are stored in this browser. They can be reused on the same device and browser, but may not persist in private browsing, after clearing site data, or on another device.
Share creates a link you can copy to load the same settings on another device. The recipient checks the settings and starts manually. Sharing does not synchronize a running timer in real time.
Shared links contain settings such as duration and mode. Personal focus records stored in the browser are not shared.
Keyboard controls
Space Start/pause (in fullscreen, Enter also works) · R Reset · F Fullscreen · M Mute · Esc Close
Shortcuts still work when fullscreen controls are hidden. Tab shows the controls. They stay visible while a button has keyboard focus. Clicking a button or pressing Space/Enter while it is focused performs that button's own action. Shortcuts are inactive while you enter a time or name.
Check before class
Sound depends on browser permissions, device volume, and mute settings. A locked screen, sleep mode, or a background tab can restrict browser activity, making alerts late or inaudible. Keep the device charged and the screen on during use.
OnTime runs in your browser. For exams that require precise supervision, check a separate clock alongside the timer. Support for fullscreen and keeping the screen awake varies by device and browser.
Troubleshooting
If there is no sound, preview the alert and check system volume and whether the site is muted in your browser. If the display freezes or settings are not saved, try an up-to-date browser and check power-saving settings and permission to store site data.
You can copy troubleshooting information from Support information.