Quick answer
Twelve minutes is the length of the Cooper test, a run created by Dr. Kenneth Cooper in 1968 to estimate aerobic fitness from the distance you cover. It also suits firm hard-boiled eggs and many cookie recipes. Playxoft's free 12 minute timer is preset: press Start or the Space key and it sounds an alarm at zero. Pick the Alarm sound to hear it while running.
- Set to 12 minutes
- Alarm rings in background tabs
- Multiple timers
- Six alarm sounds
- Fullscreen focus mode
How to use this 12 minute timer
- 1The timer is already set to 12 minutes. Press Start or the Space key to begin.
- 2Optional: name it (for example "Cooper test"), pick an alarm Sound, and turn on Repeat to run it again automatically.
- 3While it runs, use +1 min or the quick chips to adjust, and Focus mode for fullscreen digits.
- 4When the alarm rings, press Dismiss, or Snooze 5 min for more time.
What is a 12 minute timer used for?
- The Cooper test. Run or walk as far as you can in 12 minutes, then compare the distance with fitness tables.
- Firm hard-boiled eggs. Around twelve minutes in boiling water sets a large egg's yolk fully, which suits egg salad and deviled eggs.
- Cookies. Many drop-cookie recipes bake for 10 to 12 minutes at about 175 to 190 °C (350 to 375 °F). Check a minute early: the edges should be golden.
- Thicker pasta shapes. Some thicker pastas need 11 to 13 minutes; the packet has the exact time.
- Talks and pitches. Conference lightning tracks and class presentations often allow 10 to 12 minutes.
How does the Cooper 12-minute run test work?
Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper designed the test in 1968 for the US Air Force as a simple field estimate of aerobic fitness:
- Warm up for about 10 minutes.
- On a measured track, press Start and cover as much distance as you can in 12 minutes, running or walking.
- When the alarm sounds, note the total distance.
- Compare it with Cooper test tables for your age and sex, or repeat the test every few months to track your progress.
Open the stopwatch in another tab if you also want a lap split every time you pass the start line.
The test is a maximal effort. If you are new to exercise or have a heart or lung condition, check with a doctor first.
Tips for using a 12 minute timer
- Turn on Keep screen awake and use Focus mode if you leave a phone at the trackside.
- Pick the Alarm sound so you hear it while running.
- For cookies, add a second timer for the next tray as soon as the first goes in.
- Need twelve and a half minutes? Type
12:30.
How many seconds is 12 minutes?
12 minutes is 720 seconds, or 0.2 of an hour.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Seconds | 720 |
| Minutes | 12 |
| Hours | 0.2 |
| Back to back in one hour | 5 |
| Back to back in one day | 120 |
With Repeat on, this timer goes off 5 times an hour, which makes it a dependable interval reminder.
Need a different length?
- Shorter: 10 minute timer, 8 minute timer
- Longer: 15 minute timer, 20 minute timer
- Any length: the online timer takes whatever you type, for example
12:30. - Focus sessions with breaks: the Pomodoro timer.
- Work and rest rounds: the interval timer.
- Counting up with laps: the stopwatch.
Frequently asked questions
Last updated by the Playxoft engineering team.