Online Clock

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About this online clock

This clock shows your device's local time in a large, easy-to-read display — wherever you are, the time you see matches your device automatically. Switch between digital and analog faces, toggle 12/24-hour format, and go fullscreen to turn your screen into a wall clock. Controls fade out after a few seconds for a clean, ambient view.

People use it for all kinds of things: projecting a class clock on a whiteboard, keeping a clock visible on a second monitor during a presentation, showing a timestamp during a recording or livestream, propping a tablet on the kitchen counter while cooking, or just having a bigger, easier-to-read clock on a desk than a tiny system clock provides.

The clock reads the time directly from your device, so it automatically shows the correct 12-hour or 24-hour format and adjusts for daylight saving changes — no setup required.

One intentional trade-off: the analog clock's second hand ticks once per second instead of sweeping smoothly. A smooth sweep looks nicer but uses noticeably more battery for a purely cosmetic effect, so it's off by default — turn it on in Settings if you'd like the smoother motion.

Measuring time is one of humanity's oldest projects, stretching back thousands of years from tracking shadows to the precise clocks we carry in our pockets today. Every clock you see now, including the one on this page, is part of that same long line.

The time shown here stays accurate because your device regularly checks in with time servers over the internet to correct any small drift. Most computers and phones stay within a fraction of a second of the correct time, day after day, without you ever having to adjust anything.

How this online clock works ?

This online clock reads the time directly from your device. It knows your timezone and daylight saving setting the moment the page loads, so there's nothing to configure. Formatting relies on your browser's built-in Intl.DateTimeFormat support, which is why the 12/24-hour format always matches your system settings. The clock updates right on the second without wasting battery. It also re-syncs instantly if you switch back to the tab after it's been hidden for a while. The analog hand ticks once a second by default rather than sweeping smoothly. A smooth sweep looks nicer, but it costs noticeably more battery. You can turn that on in Settings if you prefer it.

A short history of measuring time

The clock you're looking at now is the newest entry in a long lineage. That lineage stretches back thousands of years, from tracking a shadow's movement to today's precise clocks. Sundials gave way to water clocks, then mechanical gears, then pendulums, then quartz crystals. Each step made time a little more precise and a little easier to check at a glance. This clock inherits all of that history. It simply reads whatever your device already knows to be true.

Analog versus digital: why the hands are still useful

A digital display tells you the exact time with no ambiguity. An analog face answers a slightly different question: roughly how far through the hour am I? Most people can read that at a glance faster than they can parse a row of digits. This tool lets you switch between the two views. Use analog for a glanceable, ambient view. Use digital when you need precise, exact-second reading.

Why a big visible clock still matters ?

A large, clearly visible clock is one of the oldest tools in a classroom or shared space. Nothing has really replaced it. It lets everyone check the time and pace themselves independently. No one needs to reach for a phone or squint at a tiny screen clock. A browser clock in fullscreen mode does the same job on any spare screen you already have. Use a tablet, an old laptop, or a monitor in a lobby — all for free.

How timezones and daylight saving actually work ?

Every timezone follows its own rules for its offset from UTC. Each timezone also has its own rules for when daylight saving starts and ends. Those rules genuinely differ from country to country. Some places shift their clocks on different dates than others. Türkiye, for example, doesn't observe daylight saving at all. Your browser handles all of this automatically, reading the correct offset from your device. The time you see here is always right, without you needing to know any of the underlying rules. If you need to compare several timezones at once, our world clock shows multiple cities side by side.

Why time can feel faster or slower than the clock says ?

A clock measures time with total consistency. Your own sense of time isn't like that at all. A stressful moment can feel like it lasted much longer than it did. Time spent fully absorbed in something enjoyable seems to disappear instead. Keeping a clock visible in the background doesn't usually break that focused feeling. It mostly just helps you judge afterward how much time actually passed.

How the browser clock compares

How the browser clock compares
	This browser clock	Phone lock-screen clock	Physical wall clock
Install required?	No — opens in browser	Pre-installed	One-time purchase
Analog and digital display	Yes, toggle either view	Usually digital only	Fixed at purchase
Fullscreen kiosk / display mode	Yes	No	N/A — always full display
Automatic daylight saving adjustment	Yes	Yes	No — manual
Pair with other timezones on screen	Yes, via World Clock	No, single device timezone	No
Cost	Free	Free (built-in)	One-time purchase

Frequently asked questions

Whose time zone does the clock show?

It shows the time zone of the device viewing the page. We never override with server time. If your laptop is set to Pacific Time, you see Pacific Time — even if our server is in Frankfurt.

How do I make the clock fill my whole screen?

Click the Fullscreen button. The browser will request native fullscreen mode. After 5 seconds with no mouse or key activity the controls fade out for an unobstructed view.

Why does the second hand on the analog clock tick instead of sweeping smoothly?

The clock updates once per second to minimize CPU and battery use. A smooth-sweep version is on the roadmap for users who prefer it.

Can I keep the clock visible without my screen sleeping?

Yes — open the Alarm tool, enable 'Keep screen on' in Options, then open this clock in the same tab. The Wake Lock acquired by the alarm keeps the display awake.

How does the clock stay in sync without me doing anything?

The page reads your device's system clock — there is no separate sync from our servers. Your operating system keeps its clock accurate via NTP (typically Stratum 2-3 servers, polling every 64-1024 seconds) or, on phones, cellular NITZ. As long as your device clock is right, ours is too.

All free, all browser-based. One tap away.