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How to add a timer in Miro

Learn how to add and run a countdown timer on your Miro board to keep meetings, workshops, and retrospectives on schedule.

Quick answer

To add a timer in Miro, open the Apps panel from the left toolbar, search for the Timer app in the marketplace, and add it to your board. Once installed, click the Timer icon in the bottom toolbar, set your countdown length, and press Start—visible to every collaborator in real time.

Steps at a glance

  1. Open the Apps panel from the left-side toolbar.
  2. Search "Timer" in the App Marketplace and add it.
  3. Click the Timer icon in the bottom toolbar.
  4. Set your countdown duration and optional music track.
  5. Click Start to begin the countdown for all collaborators.
  6. Use pause, reset, or stop controls as needed.

Summary

Miro's Timer app lets you run a visible countdown directly on your board so everyone stays aligned during meetings, workshops, or sprint activities. It's free to install and works in both edit and Presentation Mode, making it a simple way to timebox any collaborative session.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Open the App Marketplace

    From your board, click the Apps icon (a plus sign or grid icon) on the left-side toolbar. This opens the App Marketplace panel where you can browse or search for board add-ons.

  2. Step 2

    Find and add the Timer app

    Type "Timer" into the search bar at the top of the App Marketplace. Select the official Timer app from the results and click Add to board or Try it out to install it on your current board.

  3. Step 3

    Locate the Timer icon on the toolbar

    Once installed, a countdown timer icon appears on the collaboration toolbar at the bottom-left of your board. This icon is visible to all collaborators, including guests, so everyone can see when a countdown is running.

  4. Step 4

    Configure your countdown

    Click the Timer icon to open its settings. Enter the minutes and seconds you want to count down, and optionally pick one of the royalty-free music tracks to play while the timer runs.

  5. Step 5

    Start the timer for your session

    Click Start to launch the countdown on the board. If you're timeboxing agenda items during a retrospective, start a new countdown for each section so the whole team stays synced.

  6. Step 6

    Manage timer permissions during collaboration

    Only board editors—not guest editors—can start, pause, or reset the timer. Before a session, check your collaborator permissions if you need a co-host to control the countdown instead of just viewing it.

  7. Step 7

    Pause, reset, or stop the timer

    While the countdown runs, click the Timer icon again to access pause, reset, or stop controls. This is useful if a discussion needs extra time or you want to restart the clock for the next agenda item.

Why this matters

You're facilitating a workshop or timed retrospective and need every participant to see the same countdown without switching apps. Adding a timer keeps sessions on pace, prevents one discussion from eating the whole meeting, and gives remote teammates a shared visual cue to move forward.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is the Timer app free to use in Miro?

    Yes, the Timer app is available to install and use on Miro's free plan. Any board editor can add it and run countdowns without needing a paid upgrade.

  • Can guests see the timer without editing access?

    Yes, the countdown is visible to everyone with access to the board, including guests, even though only editors can start or control it.

  • Can I play music while the timer counts down?

    Yes, before starting the countdown you can choose from several royalty-free music tracks that play automatically until the timer ends.

  • Does the timer work during a presentation?

    Yes, the timer remains visible in Presentation Mode, so remote participants watching your shared frames can see the countdown alongside your content.

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