Contraction timer
To time contractions, tap start when one begins and stop when it ends. BabyData records how long each lasts and the gap from the start of one to the start of the next (the frequency), and shows a rolling average. A common guide for established labour is the 5-1-1 pattern: contractions about 5 minutes apart, lasting about 1 minute, for at least an hour. Everything stays in your browser and nothing is saved. This is informational only, not medical advice: call your midwife, maternity unit or NHS 111 if contractions are strong and regular, your waters break, there is bleeding, the baby moves less, or you are worried.
Time your contractions
Tap start and stop. Length, frequency and a rolling average, all in your browser.
- 0saverage length (last 5)
- 0maverage gap, start to start
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How to use this and when to call
Tap Start a contraction when one begins and Stop when it ends. The timer records how long each contraction lasts and the gap from the start of one to the start of the next, which is how contractions are timed. A common guide for early established labour is the 5-1-1 pattern: contractions about 5 minutes apart, each lasting about 1 minute, for at least 1 hour.
Frequency = time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next
Nothing here is saved or sent anywhere; it lives only in this browser tab while you use it.
Informational only, not medical advice. Follow your own maternity unit's instructions. Call your midwife, maternity unit or NHS 111 if your contractions are strong and regular, if your waters break, if there is any bleeding, if the baby is moving less, or if you are worried at any point. In an emergency call 999. Editorially reviewed against NHS and gov.uk guidance.
Common questions
How do I time contractions?
Tap start when a contraction begins and stop when it ends. The timer records how long each one lasts and the gap from the start of one to the start of the next, which is the frequency, and shows a rolling average of the last five. Everything stays in your browser and nothing is saved.
What is the 5-1-1 rule?
A common guide for established labour is contractions about 5 minutes apart, each lasting about 1 minute, for at least 1 hour. It is a rough signpost, not a rule, so follow your own maternity unit's instructions, which may differ.
When should I call the midwife or hospital?
Call your midwife, maternity unit or NHS 111 if your contractions are strong and regular, if your waters break, if there is any bleeding, if the baby is moving less, or if you are worried at any point. In an emergency call 999. This is general information, not medical advice.
Is my data stored?
No. Everything runs in this browser tab while you use it and nothing is saved or sent anywhere. Closing or refreshing the page clears the record, so keep the tab open while you are timing.
Email me when this updates
No account, no spam. Just a short note when we refresh the contraction timer and labour tools or add a related tool. Unsubscribe any time by replying.
Editor, BabyData
Oliver Mackman is the named editor of BabyData and a director of Best Business Loans Ltd (Companies House 16833937), the company that operates the site. He is accountable for its editorial standards, sourcing and corrections, and requires every number to cite the underlying rule and the official UK dataset behind it, with pregnancy tools reviewed against NHS and gov.uk guidance before publication.
Last reviewed: 12 June 2026