4 Minute Timer
Four minutes for quick snacks, short games and stretch breaks.
Activity
Time
Station rotations
4 × 4 minutes, 60s to switch · 4 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 4 minute timer is good for in class
- A quick snack in younger grades, so the room is ready when the disc runs out.
- Four-minute stretch or yoga break between two long seat-work blocks.
- Timed round of a review game such as Pictionary or Heads Up.
Running one of these every day? See the brain break timer and clean up timer for set-up tips.
How the 4 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 4:00 down to 2:00 | More than half the time left |
| Yellow | From 2:00 down to 0:48 | Less than half left |
| Red | The last 48 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 4 minute timer rounds back to back
Turn on Station rotations to repeat the 4 minute timer as rounds, with a short rest between them. With a 15 second rest:
| Rounds | Work | Rest | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12 min | 30 s | 12:30 |
| 5 | 20 min | 1 min | 21:00 |
| 8 | 32 min | 1 min 45 s | 33:45 |
Questions teachers ask
Can I add time if four minutes isn't enough?
Yes. Press +1 min at any time, even while the timer runs. The disc rescales so it still shows how much of the remaining time is left.
How do I start a 4 minute timer?
This page is already set to 4:00. 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 4 minute timer turn yellow and red?
It turns yellow with 2:00 left and red with 0:48 left. You can turn colour changes off so the disc stays green.
What sounds does the 4 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.