Rainbow timer

Tap or drag round the dial to choose the minutes (or type them in), press Go, and watch the rainbow shrink until it's time.

Keep this page open and your volume up so you hear the chime. With the chime off, the dial still flashes when time is up.

If you'd also like an actual real-life rainbow timer, there are loads here on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, so Amazon gives me a smidge of commission if you buy one through that link.

Made by @lisa.freeman.lately

Photo of Lisa

Hi, I'm Lisa – 3 things about me:

  1. I have 3 kids (hence the need for a rainbow timer!)
  2. I run an interiors Instagram account with a DIY garden room that keeps going viral
  3. I run a web development agency and have made websites for over 20 years. If you follow me on Insta and have your own website, please feel free to join my broadcast channel where I share free website help and advice from time to time.

Troubleshooting

Will my screen go to sleep?

While the timer is running, the page asks your phone or tablet to keep the screen on, and most up-to-date devices do. If yours still dims or locks, Low Power Mode or battery saver may be stopping it. Turn that off, or set Auto-Lock (Screen timeout on Android) to a longer time while you use the timer.

Why won't the dial move?

The dial is locked while the timer is running, so a curious little finger can't change it. Press Pause to adjust the time, then Resume.

What if I switch apps or my phone locks?

The timer keeps counting in the background and the rainbow catches up when you come back. But phones pause web pages they can't see, so the chime may not play until you return to this page. For the chime to go off on time, keep this page open on screen.

Can I use other tabs on a computer?

Yes. On a laptop or desktop you can switch to other tabs or windows and the chime will still play when time is up.

I can't hear the chime

Check the Chime switch is on and your volume is up. On iPhones, the Ring/Silent switch can mute sounds from websites. Test the sound by turning the Chime switch off and on again, which plays a short ding.

The timer stopped

Refreshing or closing the page stops the timer, so press Go to start again.

How do I add it to my home screen?

If you closed the pop-up, you can still add it at any time. On iPhone or iPad, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen. On Android, open the browser menu (⋮) and tap Add to Home screen or Install app. On a computer, Chrome and Edge show an install icon in the address bar. If you opened this page from Instagram, open it in Safari or Chrome first.

Does it work without internet?

Yes, once you've opened it once. Adding it to your home screen makes it quickest to find.