How to use the OBS Countdown Timer
- Choose a mode: Countdown for a fixed length (e.g. 5 minutes), Until a date for a scheduled start, or Count up for a stream timer.
- Add an optional label like “Starting soon” and the text to show when the timer ends.
- Style the text, then click Copy.
- In OBS add a Browser source and paste the URL. For fixed countdowns, tick Refresh browser when scene becomes active so the timer restarts each time you switch to the scene.
Ideas for using a stream countdown
- Starting soon screen: a 5 or 10 minute countdown so viewers know when you'll start.
- Scheduled events: count down to a tournament, a game launch or a subathon start.
- Break timer: a short countdown on your BRB scene.
- Stream uptime: use Count up to show how long you have been live.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a countdown timer to OBS?
Set up the timer on this page, copy the URL, then in OBS click + under Sources, choose Browser, paste the URL and set the size. No plugin or script needed.
Does it work in Streamlabs Desktop, Meld or TikTok LIVE Studio?
Yes. Any streaming app with a browser source (or “web page” / “link” source) can show it.
How do I restart the timer?
Fixed countdowns and count-up timers start when the browser source loads. Right-click the source and choose Refresh, or enable Refresh browser when scene becomes active in the source properties.
Which time zone does “Until a date” use?
The date you pick is converted to an exact moment using your computer’s time zone, so the countdown ends at the same instant for everyone, wherever OBS is running.