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Free Tool · Runs in your browser

Workout & Interval Timer

Free online HIIT and Tabata interval timer with audio cues, work/rest phases and round tracking. Set up Tabata, EMOM or circuit workouts in your browser.

A great interval workout lives and dies by its timing. This free workout / interval timer runs HIIT, Tabata, EMOM and circuit sessions right in your browser, with clear colour-coded WORK and REST phases, a get-ready countdown, round tracking, and audio beeps so you never have to look at the screen mid-rep. Nothing to install, no account, works offline once loaded.

Set your work and rest seconds, choose how many rounds, and hit start. Classic Tabata is 20 seconds work / 10 seconds rest for 8 rounds — try it as a finisher and you'll feel why four minutes can be brutal.

READY
00:30
Round 1 / 8
Total workout:

Tip: audio cues start the first time you press Start. Beeps sound in the last 3 seconds of every phase.

Popular interval formats

FormatStructureBest for
Tabata20s work / 10s rest × 8 (4 min)All-out conditioning finishers
HIIT30–45s work / 15–30s rest × 8–12Fat loss & cardio fitness
EMOMEvery minute on the minute × 10–20Strength-endurance, skill work
Circuit40s work / 20s rest, rotate stationsFull-body home workouts
Build a quick HIIT session

Pick 4 bodyweight moves — for example squats, push-ups, mountain climbers and a plank — set the timer to 40s work / 20s rest, and run 3 rounds of all four. That's a complete 12-minute session you can do anywhere. Pair it with moves from our no-equipment home workout.

Always warm up first

Intervals spike your heart rate fast, so never start cold. Spend 5 minutes raising your temperature and mobilising your joints — our warm-up and cooldown guide has a ready-made routine. Afterwards, cool down and stretch to bring your heart rate down gradually.

Is HIIT right for everyone?

High-intensity intervals are time-efficient and effective, but they're demanding. Beginners should build a base with steady cardio and learn movement patterns first, then add one or two interval sessions a week. If you have a heart condition or are new to exercise, clear it with your doctor before going all-out.

Sources & further reading

  1. Tabata I, et al. "Effects of moderate-intensity endurance and high-intensity intermittent training on anaerobic capacity and VO2max." Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1996 — PubMed.
  2. American Council on Exercise (ACE) — High-Intensity Interval Training guidance.
  3. American College of Sports Medicine — High-Intensity Interval Training resources.

External links are provided for reference and do not imply endorsement. arsenal.fit is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with any cited organisation.

Not medical advice. arsenal.fit publishes general educational fitness information. It is not a substitute for professional medical guidance. Talk to a doctor before starting a new exercise programme, especially if you are pregnant, recovering from injury or illness, or managing a health condition. Sources are cited from public health and exercise-science organisations (CDC, ACE, NSCA, ACSM, PubMed).

Frequently asked questions

What is the Tabata protocol?
Tabata is 20 seconds of maximal-effort work followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for 8 rounds — four minutes total. It comes from research by Dr. Izumi Tabata and is meant to be genuinely all-out.
Does the timer make sound?
Yes. Audio beeps sound in the final three seconds of each phase and at every phase change, so you can train without watching the screen. Sound unlocks the first time you press Start (a browser requirement).
Can I use it offline?
Once the page has loaded in your browser it runs entirely on your device, so it will keep working without a connection.
How many rounds should I do?
It depends on intensity and fitness. Tabata is 8 rounds; general HIIT is often 8–12. Beginners should start with fewer rounds and build up as conditioning improves.
Is HIIT better than steady cardio?
Neither is universally better. HIIT is more time-efficient and great for fitness; steady cardio is easier to recover from and sustain. The best plan often uses both.