What is an ADHD timer?
An ADHD timer is a timer built for people who lose track of time. Instead of just numbers, it shows time as a shape that gets smaller, so you can see how much is left at a glance. This one runs in your browser and can float above other windows.
Any timer can work for ADHD. What people tend to ask for is one that's hard to ignore: the time is a shape, it stays in view, and it doesn't make you choose settings before you start.
Time blindness: why a timer you can see may help
Many adults with ADHD describe time blindness: you know the deadline is coming, but you can't feel the minutes pass. A number on a phone lying face-down doesn't help much. Here's how people put it in reviews and forums:
- "Out of sight out of mind. I can't hunt for the timer to see how much time is left." (App Store review of a visual timer app, Aug 2023)
- "one needs an external … visual animated prompt to show decreasing time." (App Store review of a visual timer app, Jul 2023)
- "most Pomodoro apps don't have the actual timer like right in your face." (Hacker News comment)
This timer is built around those three points:
- The time is a shape. The disc shrinks as time runs, so you see "about half left" without doing math.
- It stays on top. Pop out puts a small timer window above your other apps. Your tab title shows the countdown too.
- It shows what you're doing. Your task sits under the disc, so a glance tells you both the time and the task.
A visible timer may help you notice time passing. How much it helps differs from person to person.
How to use the ADHD timer
- Set the minutes. It starts at 15. Pick another length or type your own.
- Type the task. One line, like "Reply to Sam's email". You can leave it empty.
- Pop out. Click Pop out to keep the timer on top of other windows, if your browser shows the button.
- Let it shrink. Work until the disc is gone. The screen flashes when time's up; sound stays off unless you turn it on.
Visual timer for ADHD: online vs a physical timer
Visual timers for ADHD are typically sold as physical devices: a disc on your desk that shrinks as time passes. They're a good fit if you work at the same desk away from a screen. An online visual timer covers a different case: when your work is on a computer.
| Option | Cost | Where it works | On top of other windows | Shows your task | Works with the screen off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This online timer | Free to use | Any browser, on any computer or phone | Yes, with Pop out where supported | Yes | No |
| A physical visual timer | Sold as a device | Where you carry it | No, it sits on your desk | No | Yes |
Neither is right for everyone. If most of your work happens on a screen, try this one first. If you need a timer in the kitchen or at a desk without a computer, a physical timer makes more sense.
Who the ADHD timer is for
- Adults with ADHD who lose track of time while working on a computer.
- Anyone who starts a "quick" task and looks up an hour later.
- People who find number-only timers easy to tune out.
It isn't made for medication, cooking or safety reminders. Browsers can delay timers and alerts when this tab is in the background or your device is asleep. Don't rely on this timer for medication, cooking, or other safety-critical reminders.
ADHD timer FAQ
What is the best timer for ADHD?
It depends on how you work. Look for three things: you can see the time without reading numbers, it stays in view while you work, and it doesn't make you pick settings before you start. This one does all three in a browser. Away from a screen, a physical timer may suit you better.
Is a visual timer good for adults with ADHD?
Some adults find a shrinking shape easier to follow than a countdown number, as the reviews above describe. It's a tool to try, not a fix. If it doesn't suit you, change the length or try a different kind of timer.
Can I keep the timer on top of other windows?
Yes, if your browser supports it. Click Pop out and a small timer window stays above your other apps. If you don't see the button, your browser doesn't support it yet; the countdown still shows in your tab title.
Is there an ADHD timer online for free?
Yes. This one is free to use with no sign-up. Changing the length, showing your task and Pop out are all free.
Is this a medical tool?
No. This is a productivity timer. It is not medical advice and is not a treatment for ADHD or any other condition.
Limitations
- It's not a medical tool.
- Pop out depends on your browser. Where it isn't supported, the button doesn't show.
- There's no phone app. It works in a mobile browser, but a locked screen can delay the alert.
- Closing the tab stops the timer.
Focus Plus (coming soon)
Want to see how far off your time estimates are? Focus Plus adds an estimate vs. actual report, CSV export and a backup file to move your history. $19 one-time, no subscription.
More timers
- Prefer focus-and-break rounds? Try the ADHD pomodoro timer.
- Want the classic 25/5 rhythm? Use the classic pomodoro timer.
Not medical advice. If you think you may have ADHD, or have questions about treatment, talk to a qualified healthcare professional.