How to use the voice countdown

What is this tool for?

This countdown calls out the seconds out loud, just like a rocket launch. A ring of 60 lights goes out as time passes and changes colour as zero approaches, then the rocket lifts off with a roar. Use it to start a game or a race, pace a workout, run a classroom activity, ring in the New Year or time a video, or simply to know when time is up without looking at the screen.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Enter the number of seconds (1 to 999) in the “Count down from” field, or pick a quick value: 5, 10, 30 or 60.
2. Click the big green “Start” button (or press Enter in the field): the voice announces the starting number and the countdown begins.
3. While counting, the button turns red and reads “Stop”: one click pauses the countdown. Clicking “Start” again resumes it where it left off.
4. “Reset” stops everything, restores the starting number and brings the rocket back to its launch pad.
5. The “🔊 Voice” button mutes or unmutes the voice. The “Full screen” button, top right, enlarges the countdown for a big screen.

Formulas and rules

When you press start, the tool works out the exact moment zero will be reached using the browser's high-precision clock, then continuously measures the time left:

Time left = arrival time − now
Number shown = time left rounded up to the next second

The countdown therefore never drifts, even if the display slows down. When paused, the remaining time is set aside and a new arrival time is calculated when you resume.

The voice calls out every second up to 100. Above that, it only calls out the tens (“250”, “240”…) so it doesn't talk non-stop, then goes back to every second from 100. The lights turn from green to orange below half the time, then red below 20%. Each of the last 10 seconds is marked by a glowing ripple, and the rocket's flame grows during the last 5.

Frequently asked questions