15 Minute Research Timer — Free Online Countdown

Why a 15 minute research timer works

Stops the endless tab spiral
Collect first, read second
Note the source as you go

Gathering and reading are different jobs. Use the block to collect sources without reading them properly, then stop, and read what you found in the next one.

How to spend the fifteen minutes

Minute	What to do
0-2	Write the question you are answering
2-12	Collect sources, do not read them yet
12-15	Keep three, close the other tabs

More 15 minute study timers

Other lengths for this

Questions people ask

How do I stop research turning into browsing?

Decide the question before you press start, collect sources without reading them in full, and stop at the alarm. Reading happens in the next block, on what you already have.

Should I switch subjects between blocks?

Yes. Mixed practice feels harder and less satisfying, and produces better results in nearly every study that compares it with blocked practice.

How often should I use the 15 minute research timer?

Daily beats long. Three short sessions spread across the week produce better recall than one session of the same total length, because the gaps force your memory to retrieve rather than recognise.

Does the 15 minute research timer work offline?

After your first visit, yes. The page is cached by your browser, so it opens and runs without a connection.