How to use the 3 minute timer
- Press Start (or the space bar). The timer is already set to 3 minutes.
- Press Full screen to show it on a projector, smartboard or TV.
- When time is up it beeps three times and the screen flashes. Press Reset to run it again.
What 3 minutes is good for
Three minutes is the standard steeping time for black tea and a common limit for short student presentations and 'three-minute thesis' talks.
- Brewing black or herbal tea
- Short presentations and show-and-tell
- Three-minute writing sprints
- Rounds in boxing or sparring practice
Other timer lengths
1 min2 min5 min10 min15 min20 min25 min30 min45 min1 hour
Need laps or to count up instead? Use the stopwatch.
Questions and answers
How long should tea steep?
Black tea typically 3 to 5 minutes, green tea 2 to 3, herbal 5 or more. Start this timer when the water goes in and you won't over-brew.
Can I keep the timer visible while I do something else?
The remaining time shows in the browser tab's title while it runs, so you can switch tabs and still see it.
Is this 3 minute timer free?
Yes, free with no sign-up and no app to install. It runs in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer.
Free to use, runs in your browser, nothing uploaded. Last updated 2026-10-07. Made by HandyToolkits; questions to [email protected].