3 Minute Timer
Three minutes: the classic clean-up timer, plus warm-ups and exit tickets.
Activity
Time
Station rotations
4 × 3 minutes, 60s to switch · 3 minutes total
Press Show to class for the board or projector. The disc shrinks and turns yellow, then red. Space starts and pauses. The screen stays awake while the timer runs.
Time's up!
Great work, everyone.
What a 3 minute timer is good for in class
- End-of-day or end-of-centers clean-up, with a job for each table.
- Warm-up problem on the board while you take attendance.
- Exit ticket: three minutes to answer one question before leaving.
Running one of these every day? See the clean up timer and transition timer for set-up tips.
How the 3 minute timer looks on the board
The disc starts full and shrinks clockwise. Its colour tells the class how much time is left, even from the back of the room:
| Disc | Clock shows | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Green | From 3:00 down to 1:30 | More than half the time left |
| Yellow | From 1:30 down to 0:36 | Less than half left |
| Red | The last 36 seconds | Final 20 percent |
Sounds
- A soft two-note warning chime at 1:00 left (you can turn it off).
- Three short blips at 0:03, 0:02 and 0:01.
- A rising end chime, “Time's up!” on the board and a burst of confetti (skipped if your device is set to reduce motion).
Running 3 minute timer rounds back to back
Turn on Station rotations to repeat the 3 minute timer as rounds, with a short rest between them. With a 15 second rest:
| Rounds | Work | Rest | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9 min | 30 s | 9:30 |
| 5 | 15 min | 1 min | 16:00 |
| 8 | 24 min | 1 min 45 s | 25:45 |
Questions teachers ask
Is 3 minutes enough for classroom clean-up?
For most rooms, yes, if each table knows its job before you press Start. If it's a big mess after an art project, use 5 minutes or press +1 min while the timer runs.
How do I start a 3 minute timer?
This page is already set to 3:00. Press Start or the space bar. To put it on the board, press Show to class: the controls disappear and the timer fills the screen. Tap the screen to pause, press Esc to exit.
When does the 3 minute timer turn yellow and red?
It turns yellow with 1:30 left and red with 0:36 left. You can turn colour changes off so the disc stays green.
What sounds does the 3 minute timer make?
A warning chime at 1:00 left, then 3-2-1 blips and an end chime. Sound only starts after you press a button, and the speaker button mutes everything.