How to use it
- Pick a length under the timer, or type your own. Add what it's for if that helps, like "Until dinner".
- Press Start (or Space). The coloured part of the disc shrinks as time passes.
- Turn off Show numbers if the disc alone is easier to read. Use Full screen to prop a phone or tablet where everyone can see it.
- You'll get a soft warning at 5 and 1 minutes, then a chime at the end. The timer keeps going if you reload the page.
Why it works
Time can be hard to feel. A research review found that many children with ADHD find it harder to judge how much time has passed, over- or under-estimating it more than other children, though findings aren't uniform and more research is needed (Ptacek et al., 2019 (opens in a new tab)). The National Autistic Society says timers, clocks and picture timetables can help some autistic people understand time and what's coming next (NAS (opens in a new tab)).
A shrinking disc shows how much is left at a glance, with no sums. To be honest about the evidence: visual timers are a common, low-risk support, but we found no trials testing them directly.
When to use it
- Before a change: "ten more minutes, then shoes on".
- For a task that feels endless, like homework or tidying: work until the disc runs out.
- For a break that should actually end, or a turn that should be fair.
More tools
Not medical advice. This is a wellbeing tool, not a treatment. If things feel heavy, talk to someone.