Sand Timer

About the Sand Timer

Our free online sand timer recreates the classic hourglass experience with realistic digital animation. Watch golden sand grains fall from the top bulb to the bottom as time passes, complete with accumulating sand piles and individual falling particles.

History of the Hourglass

The hourglass, also known as a sand timer or sand clock, has been used since the 14th century. Unlike water clocks, hourglasses work in any weather and orientation, making them popular on ships for measuring time at sea. Sailors used them to time their watches and calculate speed. Today, while digital clocks are everywhere, the hourglass remains a beloved symbol of time passing and is still used in board games, classrooms, and meditation.

Perfect For

• Board games - Time turns in games like Pictionary, Scrabble, Taboo, or Boggle
• Meditation - The calming visual of falling sand helps maintain focus during mindfulness sessions
• Classrooms - Give students a visual countdown for timed exercises and transitions
• Presentations - Keep Q&A sessions, discussions, or lightning talks on track
• Cooking - Perfect for steeping tea, timing eggs, or any recipe step
• Kids - Children love watching the sand fall; great for tooth brushing or timeout
• Speech therapy - Visual timing for exercises and activities

Features

• Realistic falling sand particle animation
• Glass reflections and wooden end caps design
• Multiple preset durations (1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes)
• Audio alert when time is up
• Works on all devices - desktop, tablet, and mobile
• No installation or sign-up required
• 100% free to use

How to Use

1. Select a duration from the presets or enter a custom time
2. Click Start or press the spacebar to begin
3. Watch the sand flow from top to bottom
4. An audio alert plays when time is up
5. Click Reset to flip the hourglass and start again