3 Minute Timer

Free 3 Minute Timer Online

Need a quick 3 minute timer? You're in the right place. Our free 3 minute countdown timer starts instantly with one click. Perfect for soft boiled eggs, steeping tea, elevator pitches, quick workouts, or any activity that needs precise 3-minute timing. No downloads, no sign-ups—just a clean, beautiful timer with customizable alarm sounds.

What Can You Do in 3 Minutes?

Three minutes is the perfect duration for many quick activities:

• Soft boiled eggs - 3 minutes gives you a perfectly runny yolk with set whites
• Steep tea - Most teas reach optimal flavor at 3 minutes
• Elevator pitch - The ideal length for a compelling business pitch
• Quick HIIT round - Perfect for high-intensity interval training
• Rest between sets - Standard rest time for strength training
• Speed reading challenge - Test how many pages you can read
• Meditation break - A perfect micro-meditation or breathing exercise session
• Plank exercise - Challenge yourself to hold for 3 minutes

Need a shorter timer? Try our 2 minute timer for hand washing. For longer cooking tasks, check out our 5 minute timer or dedicated egg timer.

3 Minute Timer for Soft Boiled Eggs

The 3 minute egg timer is essential for making soft boiled eggs with a perfectly runny yolk. This classic timing produces eggs with set whites and a liquid, golden center—ideal for dipping toast soldiers or topping ramen.

How to Make Perfect 3-Minute Eggs

1. Bring water to a rolling boil - Use enough water to cover the eggs by 1 inch
2. Lower eggs gently - Use a spoon or slotted ladle to avoid cracking
3. Start this timer immediately - Timing is critical for consistency
4. At exactly 3 minutes, remove eggs - Don't wait for the boil to resume
5. Transfer to ice water - This stops the cooking process instantly

For different yolk consistencies, adjust your timing: 2 minutes for very runny, 3 minutes for soft-set, 4 minutes for jammy, or 7 minutes for hard boiled. Visit our cooking timer for more kitchen timing guides.

3 Minute Elevator Pitch Timer

A 3 minute elevator pitch is the standard format for business presentations, startup pitches, and professional introductions. Three minutes is long enough to convey your key points but short enough to hold attention. Most pitch competitions, investor meetings, and networking events use this format.

Structuring Your 3-Minute Pitch

The best elevator pitches follow a proven structure. Use our timer to practice each section:

• 0:00-0:30 - Hook - Start with a compelling problem statement or surprising statistic
• 0:30-1:30 - Solution - Explain what you do and how it solves the problem
• 1:30-2:15 - Proof - Share traction, testimonials, or market validation
• 2:15-2:45 - Ask - State clearly what you need (funding, partnership, sale)
• 2:45-3:00 - Close - End with a memorable statement and call to action

Practice your pitch repeatedly with this timer until you can deliver it naturally within 3 minutes. For longer presentations, try our 5 minute timer or presentation timer.

3 Minute Timer for Exercise

A 3 minute workout timer serves multiple purposes in fitness routines. It's the standard rest period for heavy strength training and a popular duration for HIIT rounds.

Rest Between Heavy Sets

When lifting heavy weights (80%+ of your max), 3 minutes of rest allows your ATP-CP energy system to fully recover. This is why powerlifters and strength athletes take 3-5 minute breaks between sets. Shorter rests don't allow full recovery, reducing performance on subsequent sets.

3 Minute AMRAP Workouts

AMRAP stands for "As Many Rounds As Possible." A 3 minute AMRAP is an intense workout format where you complete as many rounds of exercises as possible within the time limit. Example workout:

• 5 burpees
• 10 air squats
• 15 mountain climbers
• Repeat for 3 minutes

For dedicated interval training, try our HIIT timer or Tabata timer.

3 Minute Plank Challenge

The 3 minute plank is an advanced fitness goal. While beginners aim for 1 minute, holding a proper plank for 3 minutes demonstrates exceptional core strength and endurance. To work up to this goal, add 15 seconds each week to your plank time.

3 Minute Timer for Kids

A 3 minute timer for kids is perfect for activities that are slightly too long for a 1-minute timer but don't need a full 5 minutes. Three minutes feels achievable for young children while building focus and patience.

Uses for a 3 Minute Kids Timer

• Tooth brushing - Dentists recommend 2-3 minutes; use the visual timer to ensure thorough brushing
• Taking turns - Fair sharing of toys with a visible countdown
• Calm-down time - A gentle "time-in" for emotional regulation
• Getting dressed - Full outfit from pajamas to clothes
• Room tidying - "Clean as much as you can in 3 minutes!"
• Handwriting practice - Short, focused practice sessions

For classroom activities, try our classroom timer with additional features for teachers.

3 Minute Tea Steeping Guide

Many teas are best steeped for exactly 3 minutes. Using a timer prevents over-steeping, which releases excess tannins and makes tea bitter.

Teas That Steep for 3 Minutes

• Green tea - 3 minutes at 175°F (80°C) for a smooth, grassy flavor
• White tea - 3 minutes at 185°F (85°C) for delicate, sweet notes
• Oolong (light) - 3 minutes at 190°F (88°C) for floral character
• Jasmine tea - 3 minutes at 175°F (80°C) to preserve the fragrance

For black teas and herbal infusions that need longer steeping, try our 5 minute timer.

3 Minute Timer with Alarm

Our 3 minute timer with alarm ensures you never miss when time's up. Choose from three distinct sounds: Digital Beep for quiet environments, Vintage Alarm for louder alerts, or the attention-grabbing Facility Alarm. Your preference is saved automatically for future visits.

3 Minutes in Seconds

3 minutes equals exactly 180 seconds, or 1/20th of an hour. Our timer displays your countdown in minutes and seconds format (3:00 → 2:59 → ... → 0:00), with a visual progress ring showing elapsed time. The large display is easy to read from across the kitchen or gym.

Why 3 Minutes is a Popular Duration

Three minutes appears throughout our daily routines because it's long enough to accomplish something meaningful but short enough to stay focused. From cooking to exercise to meditation, this duration has been tested and proven effective for centuries. Use our timer to make the most of your 180 seconds.

3 Minute Meditation & Breathing Timer

A 3 minute meditation timer is perfect for beginners or busy schedules. Research shows even brief mindfulness sessions can reduce stress and improve focus. Try these 3-minute practices:

Quick Breathing Exercises

• Box Breathing (3 rounds) - 4 seconds inhale, 4 seconds hold, 4 seconds exhale, 4 seconds hold. Three complete cycles fit in 3 minutes
• 4-7-8 Breathing (2 rounds) - Inhale 4 counts, hold 7, exhale 8. Two cycles with brief pauses
• Deep Belly Breathing - 9-10 slow, deep breaths focusing on expanding your diaphragm

Mini Meditation Sessions

• Body scan - Quick awareness sweep from head to toes
• Gratitude practice - Focus on three things you're grateful for
• Sensory awareness - Notice 5 things you see, 4 you hear, 3 you feel

For longer sessions, try our meditation timer or breathing timer.

3 Minute Speed Cleaning Timer

The 3 minute cleaning timer transforms tidying into a quick, manageable task. This technique, popularized by organizing experts, proves you can accomplish significant cleaning in just 180 seconds:

• Kitchen counter reset - Clear, wipe, and organize in 3 minutes
• Bathroom quick clean - Wipe mirror, sink, and counter surfaces
• Desk declutter - Sort papers, clear trash, organize supplies
• Living room pickup - Return items to their places, fluff pillows
• Bedroom reset - Make bed, pick up clothes, straighten surfaces
• Entryway tidy - Organize shoes, hang coats, sort mail

Try the "3-minute room rescue" challenge: set the timer and clean one area as fast as possible. You'll be amazed what you can accomplish, and it makes cleaning feel less overwhelming.

3 Minute CPR & First Aid Timer

In emergency situations, the 3 minute timer serves critical timing functions. While we hope you never need it, knowing these timings can save lives:

• CPR reassessment - Check for signs of life every 2-3 minutes during CPR
• AED shock intervals - Some protocols call for reassessment every 3 minutes
• Tourniquet time checks - Note application time; reassess every few minutes
• Bleeding control pressure - Apply direct pressure for at least 3 minutes before checking

Important: Always call emergency services (911) first. This timer is a supplementary tool—proper first aid training is essential. Consider taking a certified CPR course from the Red Cross or American Heart Association.

3 Minute Gaming & Speedrun Timer

Gamers use a 3 minute timer for various competitive and casual gaming scenarios:

• Round timers - Many competitive games use 3-minute rounds (CS2, Valorant bomb timer)
• Speedrun segments - Practice specific game sections in 3-minute blocks
• Break reminders - Use the 20-20-20 rule variant: every 3 minutes, look away briefly
• Turn timers - Board games and card games often use 3-minute turn limits
• Respawn countdowns - Track respawn timers in MOBAs and battle royales

The 3-minute mark is also significant in chess: bullet chess games are typically 3 minutes per player. Our timer works great as a chess clock alternative for casual games.

3 Minute Song Timer

The average pop song is 3 minutes long, making this timer perfect for music-related activities and understanding song structure.

Music Activities Using 3 Minutes

• Practice sessions: Learn one song section in 3 focused minutes
• Vocal warm-ups: Sing scales and exercises for one "song length"
• Dance choreography: Practice moves for a full song duration
• DJ transitions: Practice mixing between tracks
• Lyric memorization: Focus on one song's lyrics intensively

Why Songs Are 3 Minutes

• Radio format: DJs can play more songs per hour
• Attention span: Listeners stay engaged for this duration
• Vinyl limitations: Early records could only hold ~3 minutes per side
• Streaming era: Short songs increase play counts on platforms

For longer practice sessions, try our 5 minute timer or 15 minute timer.

3 Minute Journal Prompt Timer

A 3 minute journaling timer is perfect for quick reflection exercises. It's long enough for meaningful writing but short enough to fit into any routine.

3-Minute Journal Prompts

• Morning intention: "What's my main focus today and why?"
• Gratitude burst: List 10 things you're grateful for right now
• Evening reflection: "What was the highlight of my day?"
• Problem solving: "What's bothering me and what can I do about it?"
• Future self: "Where do I want to be in one year?"
• Lesson learned: "What did I learn today that I didn't know yesterday?"

Speed Journaling Benefits

• Bypasses perfectionism: No time to judge your writing
• Captures authentic thoughts: First reactions are often most honest
• Builds consistency: 3 minutes is easy to commit to daily
• Reduces overwhelm: Finite time prevents endless rumination

For deeper journaling, try our 5 minute timer or 10 minute timer.

3 Minute Plank Challenge Timer

A 3 minute plank is an elite-level core strength achievement. If you can hold a plank for 3 minutes, you have exceptional core endurance.

3-Minute Plank Progression

• Beginner goal: Work up from 30 seconds, adding 15 seconds weekly
• Intermediate (1-2 min): Add variations—side planks, shoulder taps
• Advanced (2-3 min): Focus on breathing and mental endurance
• Elite (3+ min): Try weighted planks or unstable surfaces

Mental Strategies for Long Planks

• Chunk the time: Think "six 30-second intervals" instead of 3 minutes
• Focus on breath: Slow, steady breathing calms the nervous system
• Body scan: Mentally check each muscle group is engaged
• Mantras: Repeat motivating phrases when it gets hard
• Visible countdown: Watching time pass helps some people push through

For interval training with planks, try our HIIT timer or Tabata timer.

3 Minute Warm-Up Timer

A 3 minute warm-up is the minimum effective duration to prepare your body for exercise. It raises heart rate and loosens muscles before more intense activity.

3-Minute Dynamic Warm-Up

• 0:00-0:30: Marching in place with arm circles
• 0:30-1:00: Leg swings (front/back and side/side)
• 1:00-1:30: Torso twists and hip circles
• 1:30-2:00: Bodyweight squats (slow and controlled)
• 2:00-2:30: Arm crosses and shoulder rotations
• 2:30-3:00: Light jumping jacks or high knees

When to Use Quick Warm-Ups

• Before short workouts: 15-20 minute exercise sessions
• Time-crunched mornings: Better than skipping warm-up entirely
• Office exercise breaks: Quick movement before desk stretches
• Before sports: Minimum prep before recreational games

For thorough warm-ups before intense workouts, try our 5 minute timer or 10 minute timer.

3 Minute Rest Between Sets Timer

A 3 minute rest period between sets is ideal for heavy strength training. This duration allows near-complete ATP (energy) recovery for maximum performance.

When to Use 3-Minute Rest

• Heavy compound lifts: Squats, deadlifts, bench press at 80%+ max
• Strength training: Sets of 1-5 reps with heavy weight
• Powerlifting: Competition-style training requires full recovery
• Olympic lifts: Cleans, snatches, jerks need technical precision

Rest Period Guidelines

• 30-60 seconds: Muscular endurance, light weights
• 60-90 seconds: Hypertrophy (muscle building)
• 2-3 minutes: Strength and power development
• 3-5 minutes: Maximum strength, near-1RM attempts

For shorter rest periods, try our 1 minute timer or 2 minute timer.

3 Minute Quick Makeup Timer

A 3 minute makeup routine proves you can look polished without spending forever in front of the mirror. Perfect for busy mornings or quick touch-ups.

3-Minute Makeup Routine

• 0:00-0:45: Tinted moisturizer or BB cream (skip foundation)
• 0:45-1:15: Concealer under eyes and on blemishes
• 1:15-1:45: Quick brow fill and mascara
• 1:45-2:15: Cream blush on cheeks (doubles as lip color)
• 2:15-2:45: Lip color application
• 2:45-3:00: Setting spray or powder on T-zone

3-Minute Makeup Tips

• Multi-use products: Lip/cheek stains save time
• Prep the night before: Skincare = better base = less makeup needed
• Know your essentials: Focus on 3-4 products that make the biggest difference
• Good lighting: Proper light = fewer mistakes to fix

For more elaborate routines, try our 5 minute timer or 10 minute timer.