Frequently asked questions
Answers for every Global Timeline tool, all in one place.
Getting started
Open this tool →- Do I need an account to use Global Timeline?
- No. Every timer, clock and calculator runs in your browser. There is no sign-up, no email and nothing to install.
- Does the timer keep accurate time in a background tab?
- Yes. The remaining time is calculated from real timestamps rather than by counting ticks, so the countdown ends at the right moment even if your browser slows background tabs down.
- Are time zones correct during daylight saving?
- Yes. All conversions use your device's IANA time zone database, so offsets follow real daylight saving rules instead of fixed numbers.
- Is my data private?
- Your settings, saved cities and countdowns stay on your device in local storage. We do not send what you time to a server.
Online timer
Open this tool →- How accurate is this online timer?
- The countdown is derived from a real timestamp on every frame, so it stays accurate to the millisecond even if your browser throttles the tab.
- Will the alarm sound if I switch tabs?
- Usually yes, as long as you pressed start on this page first, which unlocks audio. Some phones pause background audio when the screen locks.
- Can I get a notification when it ends?
- Yes, if you allow browser notifications when prompted. If you deny them, the on-screen Time's Up message and the alarm still work.
- Does the timer work offline?
- Once the page has loaded, the timer, the alarm sound and the fullscreen view all keep working without a connection.
Timer With Alarm
Open this tool →- Why did no sound play?
- Browsers block audio until you interact with the page. Press START once on this tab and the alarm will be allowed to play when the countdown ends.
- Can I change the volume?
- Yes, use the volume slider under the timer. Your choice is saved on your device.
- Will my phone vibrate?
- On Android browsers that support the vibration API, yes. iPhones do not allow websites to vibrate.
- Do I need an account?
- No. The timer works without registration and nothing is stored on a server.
Countdown Timer With Sound
Open this tool →- What sound does it play?
- A short two-tone beep that repeats four times, loud enough to hear across a room at full volume.
- Can I mute it?
- Yes. Use the alarm toggle to switch the sound off; the timer still shows a visual alert.
- Does it work offline?
- Once the page has loaded, the countdown and the sound work without an internet connection.
Fullscreen Timer
Open this tool →- How do I exit fullscreen?
- Press the Escape key, or tap the Fullscreen button again.
- Does fullscreen work on iPhone?
- Safari on iPhone limits fullscreen for web pages. The timer still fills the screen width and stays fully usable.
- Can I use it on a projector?
- Yes. Move the browser window to the projector display and then enter fullscreen.
Study Timer
Open this tool →- How long should a study session be?
- 25 minutes is a common starting point. If you find your attention holds longer, try 45 or 50 minutes with a 10 minute break.
- Should I take breaks?
- Yes. Short breaks away from screens help you keep going for several sessions instead of one long, tiring stretch.
- Is there a structured version?
- Yes, the Pomodoro timer alternates work and break sessions automatically.
Workout Timer
Open this tool →- What is a good interval to start with?
- 40 seconds of work with 20 seconds of rest for 8 rounds is a manageable first circuit.
- Can I change the number of rounds?
- Yes. Set work time, rest time and rounds before you start.
- Will it keep running with the screen off?
- Phone browsers can pause background tabs. Keep the screen on for reliable audio cues during a workout.
Pomodoro Timer
Open this tool →- What is the Pomodoro technique?
- A time management method that alternates 25 minute focused work sessions with 5 minute breaks, and a longer break after four sessions.
- Can I change the durations?
- Yes, on the Pomodoro page you can set the work, short break and long break lengths and the number of sessions.
Stopwatch
Open this tool →- How accurate is this online stopwatch?
- Elapsed time is measured from the system clock rather than counted up, so the reading stays accurate to the millisecond even if the display refresh is delayed.
- How do lap times work?
- Press LAP while the stopwatch runs to record the current reading. Each lap is added to the list below with the split from the previous lap.
- Can I copy my results?
- Yes. Press Copy results to put the total time and every lap on your clipboard as plain text.
- Does it keep running if I switch tabs?
- Yes. The elapsed time is recalculated from real timestamps when you return, so nothing is lost.
Pomodoro
Open this tool →- What is the Pomodoro technique?
- A method that splits work into fixed focus sessions — traditionally 25 minutes — separated by 5 minute breaks, with a longer break after four sessions.
- Can I change the durations?
- Yes. Set the work length, short break, long break and number of sessions before you start; the values are saved on your device.
- Does it switch automatically?
- Yes. When a session ends the timer plays a sound and moves straight to the next phase. You can also press Skip.
- What should I do on breaks?
- Step away from the screen if you can. Short breaks work best when they are genuinely restful rather than another screen task.
World clock
Open this tool →- How is the time calculated?
- Times come from your device's IANA time zone data, so each city follows its real daylight saving rules rather than a fixed offset.
- Are my cities saved?
- Yes, in your browser's local storage. They stay on your device and are never uploaded.
- What does day or night mean?
- It is a simple indicator: daytime covers 06:00 to 18:00 local time in that city.
- Can I see a single city in detail?
- Yes. Tap any city to open its page with the current time, date, offset and differences with other major cities.
Time zone converter
Open this tool →- Does the converter handle daylight saving time?
- Yes. Each conversion uses the IANA time zone rules on the exact date you pick, so a meeting in March or October converts correctly even when only one of the two cities has changed its clocks.
- Can I convert a time in the past or future?
- Yes. Choose any date. The offsets shown are the ones that apply on that date, not today's offsets.
- Why does the converted date sometimes change?
- Large offsets push the result into the previous or next calendar day. The converted date is always shown next to the time so you can see this at a glance.
- Is anything sent to a server?
- No. The conversion runs in your browser using its built-in time zone database.
Time difference
Open this tool →- What is the time difference between London and New York?
- London is normally 5 hours ahead of New York. For a couple of weeks each spring and autumn the gap is 4 hours, because the two regions change their clocks on different weekends. Pick the exact date above to see which applies.
- Can the difference between two cities change during the year?
- Yes. Any pair where at least one side observes daylight saving will shift by an hour twice a year. Pairs where neither side changes clocks stay constant.
- Why are some differences not a whole number of hours?
- Several zones sit on 30 or 45 minute offsets, including India, parts of Australia and Nepal, so the difference can include minutes.
- Can I check a future date?
- Yes. The calculator works for any date you choose using your browser's time zone rules.
Best time to call
Open this tool →- When is the best time to call London from New York?
- With standard 9 to 5 working hours on both sides, the overlap is roughly 9:00 to 12:00 New York time, which is 14:00 to 17:00 in London. Morning calls from New York are the reliable choice.
- What if there is no overlap at all?
- For far-apart pairs such as New York and Sydney the tool will tell you there is no shared window, and you will need someone to take an early or late call.
- Does this handle daylight saving?
- Yes. The gap is calculated from live time zone rules for today, so it follows the current season rather than a fixed offset.
- Are my inputs stored?
- No. The calculation happens in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere.
Event countdowns
Open this tool →- Which time zone do these countdowns use?
- Your own. Each event counts down to midnight local time on your device, so the number you see matches the date on your calendar.
- What happens after an event passes?
- Annual events roll straight over to next year's date, so the page never shows an expired countdown.
- Can I make my own countdown?
- Yes. Create one with any name, date and time, then copy the link to share it. No account is needed.
- Are countdowns accurate over long periods?
- Yes. The remaining time is recalculated from real timestamps every second rather than counted down, so it stays correct even if your device sleeps.
Create a countdown
Open this tool →- Do I need an account to create a countdown?
- No. The countdown details are packed into the link itself, so there is nothing to sign up for and nothing saved on our side.
- How does sharing work?
- Copy the generated link and send it to anyone. Opening it rebuilds the same countdown in their browser, counted in the time zone you chose.
- What if the date is in the past?
- The countdown shows that the moment has already passed instead of counting negative time, so you can fix the date.
- Which time zone is used?
- The one you pick. That keeps a launch or exam countdown anchored to the right place no matter where the person opening the link is.
More questions
- How do I get back to the home page?
- Choose Home at the top of the mobile menu, or select the Global Timeline name at the top of any page.
- What happens if my device clock is set incorrectly?
- Timers measure elapsed time against your device clock, and city clocks and conversions use your device’s time zone data. Check your device’s automatic date and time setting if a result seems wrong.
- Can I change between 12-hour and 24-hour time?
- Yes. Open Settings and choose the time format you prefer. The choice stays in your browser.
- How do I leave a fullscreen timer?
- Press Escape if your browser entered fullscreen, or use Exit fullscreen on the timer. If your browser restricts fullscreen, the timer still expands to cover the page and has the same exit button.