Alexa timer

An Alexa timer is the fastest hands-free timer in a kitchen, but it stays on the speaker that set it. This guide lists the phrases that work, the options people miss, and when a timer on a screen, like the one above, is the better choice. Also searched as alexa set timer, echo timer, alexa kitchen timer.

Setting a timer

Say "Alexa, set a timer for 15 minutes". Alexa confirms and starts counting. Lengths can be anything from a few seconds to 24 hours, in minutes, hours or a mix such as "an hour and a half".

Phrases worth learning

Say	What happens
"Alexa, set a pizza timer for 12 minutes"	A named timer; Alexa says "pizza" when it goes off
"Alexa, set a second timer for 5 minutes"	Another timer runs alongside the first
"Alexa, how much time is left on my timer?"	Reads out the remaining time without stopping it
"Alexa, pause the timer" / "resume the timer"	Pauses or continues
"Alexa, add 5 minutes to the timer"	Extends a running timer
"Alexa, cancel the pizza timer"	Removes that timer only
"Alexa, stop"	Silences a timer that is ringing

Multiple timers

Naming is the trick. Three unnamed timers are hard to tell apart when one goes off. "Set a rice timer for 18 minutes" and "set a chicken timer for 25 minutes" give you two timers you can check and cancel by name. The Alexa app lists every running timer under Reminders and Alarms, with the device it is on.

Echo Show and visual timers

On an Echo Show the countdown appears on the screen as a ring with the time left, large enough to read from the stove. On a speaker without a screen you only get the voice readout. Timer volume follows the device's alarm and timer volume, which you can change in the app under Device Settings.

What Alexa timers cannot do

They do not travel. A timer set in the kitchen rings in the kitchen, not in the office upstairs.
They do not appear on your laptop, TV or a projector.
They cannot loop for intervals; each round is a new request.
Saying "stop" from across the room is easy; checking a timer from another room is not.

When a screen timer is better

If the people who need to see the time are looking at a screen, a browser timer wins. A classroom projector, a meeting room display, a gym TV or a laptop on the counter can all show the countdown fullscreen with F. Repeat loops it for intervals or station rotations. Each preset has its own address you can bookmark or send to someone else. The two tools pair well: Alexa for the roast, the browser for the recipe steps you are reading on the laptop.

Try it

Open the 15 minute timer and press Space. For recipes, the cooking timer hub links to egg, tea, coffee and pasta presets with reference tables. The online timer page explains the sounds, notifications and keyboard shortcuts.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check an Alexa timer without stopping it?

Ask "Alexa, how much time is left on my timer?" or "how much time is left on the pizza timer?" if you named it. Alexa answers and the timer keeps running.

Can Alexa run more than one timer?

Yes. Set a second one the same way, ideally with a name, and ask for your timers by name. The Alexa app lists all running timers on that device.

Do Alexa timers show on other Echo devices?

No, a timer rings only on the device that set it, and an Echo Show adds an on-screen countdown. For a timer everyone can see on a laptop or TV, use a browser timer.