Why no numbers by default?

Numbers require cognitive processing — you see '14:33' and your brain calculates what that means. A draining shape requires no calculation. Your visual cortex handles it automatically.

Why does the colour change?

The amber-to-red shift prepares your arousal system for transition before it arrives. Anticipatory cues reduce the surprise-panic response ADHD brains experience at sudden deadlines.

Can I use this for Pomodoro?

Yes. Set 25 minutes for the work block, then 5 minutes for the break. The visual format makes Pomodoro feel less mechanical and punishing.

What is the +1 minute button?

It appears in the final 30 seconds only. ADHD brains often reach a flow state exactly when a timer ends. The +1 button extends without breaking focus or requiring a full restart.

Does it work offline?

Yes. The timer is fully client-side. Once the page has loaded it runs without internet.

Is this better than a physical hourglass?

Different. A physical hourglass has no colour shift and no pause. The Honey Timer adds emotional preparation cues, pause/resume, and the +1 minute extension. More flexible for desk use.

Can I use this alongside body doubling?

Yes — open The Silent Hive in one tab and Honey Timer in another, or use Soft Landing which combines both.

What happens when it hits zero?

The fill empties completely, the hex turns red, and a 'Time's up' confirmation appears. No jarring alarm — just a visual state change.

FOCUS

A Visual Timer Built
for Time Blindness

Pick a duration. Watch the hex drain. No numbers. No alarm shock.

What is time blindness?

Time blindness is an ADHD-associated impairment in internal time perception — the neurological inability to sense how much time has passed or remains. Research by Russell Barkley identifies it as one of the core functional impairments of ADHD, distinct from inattention or hyperactivity. The Honey Timer compensates by making time visible and spatial rather than abstract and numerical.

How visual timers help ADHD brains

A visual timer replaces the abstract (how many minutes remain?) with the spatial (how much of the shape is left?). This shifts time perception from a cognitive task to a perceptual one — which happens automatically and doesn't deplete attention. The amber→orange→red colour shift provides an emotional preparation cue before the deadline arrives, reducing the panic of a sudden alarm.

How to use the Honey Timer

1
Choose a duration
Pick 5, 10, 15, 25, or 45 minutes — or type a custom time. 25 minutes is a good default for most tasks.
2
Name your task (out loud or in writing)
Before starting, commit to one thing. Say it or write it. The timer is for that one thing only.
3
Watch the hex, not the number
Resist toggling Show Time. The visual drain is the point — your attention can rest on the shape.
4
Take a breath when it ends
Don't immediately start the next thing. Two minutes of rest before a new session improves focus quality.

Visual timer vs Pomodoro vs body doubling

Method	Best For	Time Awareness	ADHD Fit
Honey Timer	Time blindness, visual learners	Spatial/visual	★★★★★
Pomodoro (25/5)	Structured work/break cycles	Numeric countdown	★★★☆☆
Body doubling	Initiation, activation, accountability	Social/shared	★★★★★
Regular alarm	Hard deadlines only	Binary (now / not yet)	★★☆☆☆

Frequently asked questions

Also try: Soft Landing (timer with 3 warnings before task switches) · The Silent Hive (body doubling while the timer runs)

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