Create Countdown (Duration-based)
Duration-based countdowns are perfect when you need a timer that counts down from a specific amount of time. Whether it's a 10-minute stream break, a 5-minute challenge, or a 3-hour event countdown, duration-based timers give you precise control over the countdown period.
Information
Duration-based timers count down from a set period (e.g., 10 minutes)
rather than to a specific date/time. Use these when the duration matters more
than the end time. See
Create CountTo (Date-based) for
date-based timers.
Common Use Cases
| Use Case | Example Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Stream Breaks (BRB) | 5-15 minutes | Letting viewers know when you'll return |
| Timed Challenges | 30-60 minutes | Speedruns, creative challenges |
| Event Prep | 10-30 minutes | Starting Soon screens |
| Flash Sales | 1-24 hours | Creating urgency for limited offers |
Tip
Stream breaks are the most popular use case. Create a reusable break
timer with your typical break length and customize it to match your stream
branding!
Creating Your First Countdown
Follow these steps to create a duration-based countdown:
- Navigate to the Editor on gettickr.app
- Select "Countdown" from the timer type options if not already selected
- In the General tab, enter your desired duration using the time fields
- Watch the live preview update as you adjust values
- Optionally add a title to help you identify the timer later
Example: 10-Minute Break Timer
- Hours: 0
- Minutes: 10
- Seconds: 0
Tip
The timer title is visible in both the editor preview and the countdown
display. You can also hide the title using the "Show title" toggle if you only
want to display the countdown numbers.
Starting and Controlling the Timer
The editor preview includes control buttons to test your timer:
- Play - Starts the countdown from your specified duration
- Pause - Temporarily stops the countdown (resume from where you paused)
- Reset - Resets the timer back to the original duration
Free Feature
Free timers cannot be controlled and always run automatically when
loaded.
Premium Feature
Premium timers: Control your timer remotely even after embedding
it! Start, pause, or reset from the editor while the timer is live in your
stream or on your website.
Saving Your Timer
Premium Feature
Premium accounts can save timers for reuse! Click the save button
in the editor to store your timer configuration, including duration, design,
and layout.
Saved timers are accessible from your Timer Dashboard. You can load and edit them at any time. The display URL remains stable even when you modify the timer
- no need to update links in OBS or on your website!
Timer Behavior and State
When the countdown reaches zero:
- Displays all zeros and stops counting
- No automatic actions (you control what happens next)
State persistence:
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Remembers state on page reload | ❌ No (resets to full duration) | ✅ Yes (resumes from where paused) |
| Cross-device synchronization | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Remote control while live | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Warning
Free timers reset to the original duration each time the page is
refreshed. For state persistence across sessions, a Premium subscription is
required.