Tools · Pregnancy
Contraction Timer: Time Your Contractions and Know When to Go to Hospital
Free contraction timer. Tap once when a contraction starts and again when it ends to track how long each lasts and how far apart they are — with rolling hourly averages and a reminder of when to call your midwife or maternity unit.
Published:
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician or doctor about your child.
Sources: WHO, CDC, AAP and NHS guidance. Recommendations differ between countries — for local advice see the NHS or CDC.
See how we research and review →
Tap the button when a contraction begins.
| Start | Duration | Frequency |
|---|
For general guidance only; not medical advice. If your waters break, you have bleeding, reduced baby movements, or feel something is wrong, contact your provider right away.
How to time contractions
Timing contractions tracks two things: duration (how long each contraction lasts, from start to finish) and frequency (how far apart they are, measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next). Tap the button when a contraction begins, and tap it again when it ends — the timer records both and shows your averages over the last hour.
The NHS advises calling your midwife or maternity unit when contractions are regular and coming every 5 minutes or more often, and calling straight away if your waters break, you have bleeding, your baby is moving less than usual, you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, a contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes, or you have 6 or more contractions every 10 minutes. Your own midwife's, doctor's or hospital's instructions always come first. Source: NHS — Signs that labour has begun
Early labor contractions are often irregular and spaced far apart; they gradually become longer, stronger, and closer together. Your data stays on your device (nothing is uploaded). This tool is a convenience, not a diagnosis — trust your body and your provider's instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should contractions come before I call?
The NHS advises calling your midwife or maternity unit if you think you are in labour or your contractions are regular and coming every 5 minutes or more often. You can also call if you are unsure or worried about anything. Your own midwife's, doctor's or hospital's instructions come first — they may differ.
How do I time a contraction correctly?
Tap the button the moment a contraction begins and tap again the moment it fully eases off. Duration is measured from the start to the end of the same contraction. Frequency is measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next one — not from the end of one to the start of the next. This timer handles both automatically.
When should I go to the hospital?
Follow your own midwife's, doctor's or hospital's instructions first. According to the NHS, call straight away (even in the middle of the night) if your waters break, you have vaginal bleeding, your baby is moving less than usual, you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and think you might be in labour, any contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes, or you have 6 or more contractions every 10 minutes.
What's the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions?
Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions are usually irregular, don't get closer together, often ease with rest, position change, or hydration, and don't increase in intensity. True labor contractions become more regular, longer, stronger, and closer together over time, and don't go away when you move or rest. If you're unsure, timing them for an hour — as this tool helps you do — often makes the pattern clear.
If you'd rather do this on your phone during labor, we compared the best contraction timer apps.
Weekly parenting tips, no spam
Evidence-based guidance for your child's stage — straight to your inbox.
Have it ready for the day itself. Whispie times contractions in one tap and keeps every interval for you — free, and your partner sees it too.
Free · 36 languages · available in 175+ countries
Whispie
Next sleep and feed times that start from age-typical wake windows and adjust to your baby’s own logs, one-tap feeding, sleep and diaper logs, free WHO growth charts, vaccine schedule and week-by-week pregnancy — from expecting to toddler.
Also from Whispie
