NLtimer logo NLtimer

Built for people who are always late

The routine timer that tells you when to start so you can leave on time.

If ADHD, time blindness, or morning chaos keeps making you late, NLtimer works backward from the time you must leave. Tell it "out the door at 8:10" and it counts every step back for you, so you know exactly when to start and whether you are already slipping.

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  • Counts your routine backward from the time you must leave
  • Shows whether the whole plan is still on time, not just one step
  • Hands-free: steps switch automatically while you move

Open testing

Open testing is live on Google Play.

Join the Android open test today and try NLtimer on a real morning routine.

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NLtimer counting a morning routine backward from the leave time

Find your path

Start with the page that matches why you came here.

ADHD page

ADHD & Time Blindness

If mornings collapse because you never see the right moment to begin, start here.

Open the ADHD page

Comparison

Routinery Alternative

If you already know routine apps and want the difference in one screen, start here.

Compare with Routinery

The problem

Other routine timers start after you press Start. Your real problem starts before that.

Routinery, RoutineFlow, Brili and other step-by-step routine apps run forward once you begin. But people with chronic lateness and time blindness usually miss the moment to begin at all. NLtimer answers that by counting backward from your leave or arrival time and showing the exact moment each step has to start.

How it works

Set the leave time. Press Start. Follow the next step.

1

Build your routine

Add steps with a duration and a short hint, like "Shower", "Medicine", "Pack bag", or "Walk to the bus".

2

Set your leave time

In target-time mode (ABS), pin the step with the real deadline. NLtimer calculates the exact time the whole routine has to start.

3

Press Start

Steps switch automatically. You always see what to do now, what comes next, and whether you are ahead or behind.

Target-time mode

Be ready exactly on time

Set the real clock time for the moment that matters — leaving home, catching the bus, reaching the train. NLtimer recalculates backward so your routine lands exactly on that moment.

Interval mode

Also a strong step and interval timer

No hard deadline? Use NLtimer as a classic multi-step interval timer: adjust time on the fly, repeat a step, skip forward, go back, keep moving.

Automatic step switching

No tapping "next". NLtimer moves through the routine for you, hands-free.

Step hints

See what to do now and what comes next, without checking notes or holding it in your head.

Made for time blindness

A visible signal of whether the whole plan is still on track, which is often the part ordinary timers never show.

Groups and supertasks

Chain several routines into one, or save a combination as one reusable plan.

Widget and Picture-in-Picture

Keep the running timer visible over other apps and on your home screen.

Backups, import, export

Move routines between devices, share them, and recover a running plan.

Screenshots

Built to read in a glance while your hands are busy.

NLtimer in target-time mode showing when to start before the first step
Know when to start
NLtimer in target-time mode counting backward to the leave time
See if you are still on time
NLtimer interval mode circular step timer
Use it as a normal step timer
NLtimer Picture-in-Picture timer above another app
Picture-in-Picture over other apps
NLtimer home screen widget
Home screen widget
NLtimer routine editor with steps
Build your routine in steps

Use cases

Built first for mornings, lateness, and time blindness.

Morning routines ADHD and time blindness Getting kids to school Leaving the house on time School-run mornings Commuting without panic Routinery alternative Train and flight departures

Real-world timing pressure

The real pain is not “how long is this step?” It is “when do I need to start?”

School mornings are not one alarm. Shoes, bag, jacket, medicine, breakfast, walk to the stop — every step has to start early enough.

Morning routine

A train, school bell, or bus is a hard deadline. NLtimer counts backward from it instead of hoping there is still enough time.

Leaving on time

When time blindness hits, a plain countdown is not enough. You need a signal that says whether the whole plan is still on track.

ADHD and time blindness

Step-by-step routine apps run forward from Start. NLtimer also knows the clock time you have to hit, so it can tell you when to begin.

vs. forward-only routine apps

Free and Premium

Free routine timer now. Premium removes the limits.

Free

Useful from day one

All core features are available, with practical limits while you test the workflow.

  • Up to 2 routines
  • Up to 5 imports
  • Up to 5 backups
  • Unlimited steps inside a routine
  • Export, target-time mode, interval mode, widget, and PiP

Premium

No limits

Remove the limits and support continued development of NLtimer.

  • Unlimited routines
  • Unlimited imports
  • Unlimited backups
  • Folders, groups, and supertasks without friction
  • Launch promo codes (30-day Premium)

FAQ

Quick answers

Does it count down to a specific time?

Yes — that is the core of NLtimer. In target-time mode you set a real clock time, and NLtimer counts every step of your routine backward from it so you know when to start.

How is this different from Routinery or RoutineFlow?

Those apps run forward from the moment you press Start. NLtimer also works backward from the time you must leave or finish, so it tells you when to begin instead of just guiding you once you have started.

Can it help with ADHD time blindness?

It is built for it: steps switch automatically and you get a clear on-track or behind signal, so the passing of time stays visible instead of disappearing.

Can I use it as a normal timer?

Yes. Interval mode (REL) works as a classic multi-step countdown timer without a real-time target.

Does it keep running while I use other apps?

Yes. Picture-in-Picture, a home screen widget, and a foreground service keep the running timer visible and alive.

Where is my data stored?

Routines and settings are stored locally on your device. Exported files and backups are controlled by you.

Who is NLtimer for?

First: people who are always late, especially with ADHD, time blindness, or chaotic mornings. It also works for departures, presentations, workouts, and other deadline-driven routines.

Can I share routines with others?

Yes. NLtimer supports routine export and import, so you can share morning routines, training plans, or prepared workflows between devices and people.