3 Minute Timer

About this three minute timer

This three-minute countdown runs entirely in your browser. A popular length for short meditation sits, warm-ups, or quick focus bursts. There is nothing to install, nothing to sign up for, and no data is uploaded when you start, pause, or reset.

A three-minute block is short enough to try between other things: before a meeting, after lunch, or whenever a task feels too intimidating to start. Short timers also work well as mini-meditations — a focused pause that resets attention without carving a big hole out of the day.

Keep the countdown visible so you do not peek at the clock, then put the phone face-down. When the timer ends, decide whether to keep going or move on — the decision itself often loosens whatever was blocking you.

How to use this timer

• Press Start (or the spacebar) to begin the countdown.
• Press Pause (or the spacebar again) to hold the current time.
• Press Reset (or the R key) to return to 3:00.
• When the timer ends, a short tone plays. Click, tap, or press any key to stop it.
• Use the sound toggle to mute the alert — your preference is remembered on this device.

Tips for accurate timing

• Keep this tab visible. Modern browsers slow down background tabs to save power, which can delay the end alert.
• On mobile, keep the screen awake or plug the device in for long sessions.
• For anything safety-critical, use your device's built-in system timer rather than a web page.

Related timers: 5 minute timer or 15 minute timer.

Looking for a different duration? Browse the TimerZen home page or type any whole-number duration into the URL (for example, /45-minute-timer/, /90-second-timer/, or /2-hour-timer/).

Last reviewed on April 24, 2026.