Forty-five minutes is a typical length for a class period, a deep study block, a workshop segment or a medium-length meeting. Anything this long deserves a warning before it ends, so this page shows one.
Where a 45 minute timer is used
- Teaching. A single lesson or a long task within a double period. Visible time helps pupils pace extended writing.
- Study blocks. Forty-five minutes of revision, followed by a break of 10 to 15 minutes. The Pomodoro length of 25 is not right for everyone; longer blocks suit tasks that take time to get into.
- Practice sessions. Music, sport or language practice where you want a defined session.
- Meetings and interviews. A 45 minute interview or one-to-one, finishing with time to spare for logistics.
- Mock exams and timed papers. For smaller papers, see the exam timer, which offers 15, 5 and 1 minute warnings and an overtime counter.
- Cooking and baking. Roasts, bakes and slow simmers. Always trust the recipe and a thermometer where food safety is involved.
Pacing yourself
The ring turns amber at 5 minutes remaining and red at 1 minute, with a short tone. If you do not want the tone, switch the alarm sound off; the colours and text stay. Open More options to keep the screen on, to let the timer continue past zero in overtime, or to copy a link.
If 45 minutes is too long, try 30 minutes; if too short, 1 hour.
A 45 minute lesson plan (example)
Lesson lengths differ between schools and countries, and 45 minutes is only one of them. If you do teach a 45 minute session, this shape is a starting point rather than a rule:
| Minutes | Stage | Timer position |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Starter: recall questions on the board | 45:00 to 40:00 |
| 10 | Teaching input | 40:00 to 30:00 |
| 20 | Task or practice | 30:00 to 10:00 |
| 10 | Review and exit question | 10:00 to 0:00 |
This page shows an amber "Five minutes left" warning and a red "One minute left" warning, which suits packing up or the final review. Use Full screen on the projector. For shorter activities inside the lesson, use the classroom timer.