Loading Calculator...
Please wait a moment
Please wait a moment
Free online kitchen timer with preset cooking times, visual countdown, and audio alerts. Set your timer for eggs, pasta, baking, roasting, and more.
Boil eggs: 6–12 min
Soft (6 min) to hard (12 min)
Bake cookies: 10–12 min
At 350°F / 175°C
Roast chicken: 20 min/lb
At 400°F / 200°C
Quick Presets
This reference table covers frequently cooked foods with their recommended cooking times and methods. Use it to quickly set your kitchen timer for the most common cooking tasks.
| Food | Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft-boiled eggs | Boil | 6–7 min | Runny yolk, set white |
| Hard-boiled eggs | Boil | 11–13 min | Fully set yolk |
| Pasta (dried) | Boil | 8–12 min | Al dente; check package |
| White rice | Simmer | 18–20 min | Covered, low heat |
| Brown rice | Simmer | 40–45 min | Covered, low heat |
| Chicken breast | Bake (400°F) | 22–25 min | Internal temp 165°F |
| Whole chicken (4 lb) | Roast (400°F) | 1 hr 20 min | 20 min per pound |
| Steak (1 inch, medium) | Pan sear | 4–5 min/side | Internal temp 140°F |
| Salmon fillet | Bake (400°F) | 12–15 min | Flakes with fork |
| Broccoli | Steam | 5–7 min | Bright green, tender-crisp |
| Carrots (sliced) | Boil | 8–10 min | Fork-tender |
| Baked potato | Bake (400°F) | 45–60 min | Pierce with fork easily |
| Chocolate chip cookies | Bake (350°F) | 10–12 min | Golden edges |
| Banana bread | Bake (350°F) | 55–65 min | Toothpick comes out clean |
| Pizza (homemade) | Bake (475°F) | 10–14 min | Crust golden, cheese bubbly |
| Bacon | Pan fry | 5–8 min | Medium heat, flip once |
| Grilled cheese | Pan fry | 3–4 min/side | Medium-low heat, golden |
A cooking timer is one of the simplest yet most essential kitchen tools. Whether you are boiling eggs, baking a cake, or roasting a chicken, accurate timing separates perfectly cooked food from burnt or undercooked disasters. Unlike relying on instinct or guesswork, a countdown timer gives you a precise window so you can step away from the stove, prep other ingredients, or simply relax without worrying about forgetting your food on the heat.
Online cooking timers offer several advantages over traditional mechanical kitchen timers. They require no batteries, they display the remaining time in a large easy-to-read format, and they can be accessed from any device with a web browser. Quick preset buttons let you start common cooking times with a single tap, which is especially useful when your hands are covered in flour or sauce. The audio alert ensures you hear the notification even if you are in another room.
Professional chefs and home cooks alike rely on timers for consistency. Baking in particular demands precision because chemical reactions in dough and batter are highly time-sensitive. Even a minute or two can determine whether cookies are chewy or crisp, whether bread rises properly, or whether a custard sets correctly. Using a timer every time you cook builds good habits and leads to more reliable, repeatable results in the kitchen.
| Protein | Method | Time | Target Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast (boneless) | Bake 400°F | 22–25 min | 165°F / 74°C |
| Chicken thigh (bone-in) | Bake 400°F | 35–45 min | 175°F / 79°C |
| Pork chop (1 inch) | Pan sear + oven | 12–15 min total | 145°F / 63°C |
| Salmon fillet (6 oz) | Bake 400°F | 12–15 min | 145°F / 63°C |
| Ground beef patty | Grill/pan | 4–5 min/side | 160°F / 71°C |
| Shrimp (large) | Sauté | 2–3 min/side | Pink and opaque |
| Item | Method | Time | Ratio (Water) |
|---|---|---|---|
| White rice | Simmer covered | 18–20 min | 1:1.5 to 1:2 |
| Brown rice | Simmer covered | 40–45 min | 1:2.5 |
| Quinoa | Simmer covered | 15–20 min | 1:2 |
| Dried pasta | Boil | 8–12 min | Large pot, salted |
| Oatmeal (rolled) | Simmer | 5 min | 1:2 |
| Vegetable | Method | Time | Doneness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli florets | Steam | 5–7 min | Bright green, tender-crisp |
| Green beans | Blanch/steam | 4–6 min | Snap when bent |
| Carrots (sliced) | Boil | 8–10 min | Fork-tender |
| Asparagus | Roast 425°F | 10–12 min | Slightly charred tips |
| Brussels sprouts (halved) | Roast 400°F | 20–25 min | Golden and caramelized |
| Item | Temp | Time | Doneness Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate chip cookies | 350°F / 175°C | 10–12 min | Golden edges, soft center |
| Muffins | 375°F / 190°C | 18–22 min | Toothpick comes out clean |
| Banana bread | 350°F / 175°C | 55–65 min | Toothpick comes out clean |
| Pizza (homemade) | 475°F / 245°C | 10–14 min | Golden crust, bubbly cheese |
| Dinner rolls | 375°F / 190°C | 15–18 min | Golden brown top |
| Food | Oven Temp | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole turkey (12 lb) | 325°F / 160°C | 2.75–3.25 hours |
| Beef roast (3 lb) | 350°F / 175°C | 1.5–2 hours |
| Lasagna | 375°F / 190°C | 45–60 min |
| Baked salmon | 400°F / 200°C | 12–15 min |
| Roast vegetables | 425°F / 220°C | 25–35 min |
| French fries (frozen) | 425°F / 220°C | 20–25 min |
| Mac and cheese | 350°F / 175°C | 25–30 min |
| Food | Heat Level | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| Scrambled eggs | Medium-low | 3–5 min |
| Pancakes | Medium | 2–3 min/side |
| Grilled cheese sandwich | Medium-low | 3–4 min/side |
| Sautéed mushrooms | Medium-high | 5–7 min |
| Stir-fry vegetables | High | 5–8 min |
| Fried chicken (bone-in) | Medium | 12–15 min/side |
| Simmered soup | Low | 20–40 min |
Undercooking meat, poultry, and seafood can leave harmful bacteria alive. Proper cooking times paired with a food thermometer ensure foods reach safe internal temperatures, protecting your family from foodborne illness.
The difference between al dente pasta and mushy pasta is just a minute or two. Timing controls whether vegetables are tender-crisp or limp, whether steak is medium-rare or well-done, and whether cookies are chewy or crunchy.
The Maillard reaction that creates golden-brown crusts and rich flavors depends on both temperature and time. Pulling food too early means missing out on caramelization. Waiting too long leads to bitter, burnt flavors.
Using a timer every time you cook builds muscle memory and reliable habits. You learn exactly how your oven and stove perform, making it easier to reproduce great results and confidently try new recipes.
Start your countdown the moment food goes into the oven, pot, or pan. Delaying even 30 seconds adds up over a long cook and can throw off your timing, especially for baked goods.
Large cuts of meat continue cooking after removal from heat. Pull roasts and steaks 5–10°F below your target temperature and let them rest. The internal temperature will climb during the resting period.
Each time you open the oven door, the temperature drops by 25–50°F. This extends cooking time and can cause uneven baking. Use the oven light and window to check progress instead.
At elevations above 3,000 feet, water boils at a lower temperature. Boiled and steamed foods take longer to cook. Baked goods may need higher temperatures and adjusted leavening to rise properly.
Timers tell you when to check, but a thermometer tells you when food is actually done. Thickness, starting temperature, and oven calibration all affect cooking time, making a thermometer the most reliable safety check.
Bread, cakes, and brownies continue setting as they cool. Cutting too early releases steam, causing a gummy texture. Let bread cool for at least 15 minutes and cakes for 10 minutes before slicing.
An online cooking timer lets you set a countdown in hours, minutes, and seconds directly in your browser. Once started, it counts down to zero and plays an audio alert so you know your food is ready. No app download or registration is required.
Yes. This cooking timer is fully responsive and works on any smartphone, tablet, or desktop browser. Simply open the page, set your time, and press Start. Keep the browser tab open so the alert sounds when the timer finishes.
When the timer reaches zero, it plays an audible beep alert through your device speakers and displays a visual notification on screen. The progress bar fills completely and the display flashes to indicate time is up.
Soft-boiled eggs take about 6 to 7 minutes, medium-boiled eggs take 9 to 10 minutes, and hard-boiled eggs take 11 to 13 minutes. Start timing once the water reaches a full rolling boil for the most consistent results.
Most cookie recipes bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Set your timer for 10 minutes first, then check for golden edges. Under-baking slightly yields chewier cookies, while longer baking produces crispier results.
Dried pasta typically cooks in 8 to 12 minutes depending on the shape and brand. Set your timer according to the package directions and test a piece one minute before the timer goes off. Pasta should be al dente, meaning firm to the bite but not crunchy.
Precise timing prevents overcooking and undercooking, which affect taste, texture, and food safety. Overcooked vegetables lose nutrients, overcooked meat becomes dry and tough, and underbaked bread can be doughy inside. A reliable timer eliminates guesswork.
Yes. The countdown continues running in the background even if you switch to another tab or application. However, your browser tab must remain open. The audio alert will play when the timer finishes, though some mobile browsers may limit background audio.
Carryover cooking is the continued rise in internal temperature after food is removed from heat. Dense proteins like roasts and steaks can increase by 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit while resting. Remove food slightly before the target temperature and let it rest to finish cooking.
A whole chicken typically roasts for about 20 minutes per pound at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). A 4-pound chicken takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Always verify doneness with a meat thermometer reading 165 degrees Fahrenheit at the thickest part of the thigh.
This cooking timer is provided for informational purposes only. Cooking times vary based on equipment, altitude, food size, and starting temperature. Always use a food thermometer to verify doneness for meat and poultry. UnitTables is not responsible for cooking outcomes.