The best contraction timer app lets you or your birth partner start and stop timing with one tap, then shows how long contractions last and how far apart they are. Look for big buttons, Lock Screen or watch timing and a clear history you can read out to your midwife. Nine apps follow in no particular order.
When contractions start, nobody wants to fumble with a stopwatch and a scrap of paper. A contraction timer does the maths for you, so you can focus on breathing and your partner can focus on you.
The nine apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from simple one-tap timers to pregnancy apps with a timer built in. Each description comes from the app's own App Store listing, re-checked this week. If something calm to listen to would help in early labour, my piece on why podcasts help people relax has a few ideas.
Contraction timer apps at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own store listing or site describes free use or a free download, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated on the pages we read. Many free apps carry ads or sell optional upgrades.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| BabyCenter | Pregnancy app | Everything in one pregnancy app | Yes |
| Contraction Timer & Counter 9m | Contraction timer | The simplest timer | Yes |
| Contraction Timer & Tracker | Contraction timer | One tap on phone or watch | Yes |
| Contraction Timer by Nestling | Contraction timer | No sign-up at all | Yes |
| Contraction Timer Labor | Contraction log | A calm, clear log | Yes |
| Freya | Hypnobirthing timer | Hypnobirthing support | No |
| Labora | Contraction timer | Hands-free timing | Yes |
| Ovia | Pregnancy app | From cycle to pregnancy | Yes |
| Pregnancy+ | Pregnancy app | Week-by-week guidance | Yes |
Nine contraction timer apps
BabyCenter
Best for: Parents-to-be who already track their pregnancy week by week and want the timer in the same app.
Contraction Timer & Counter 9m
Best for: Couples who want the simplest possible timer that tracks contractions and suggests when it may be time to go.
Contraction Timer & Tracker
Best for: Birth partners who want one tap to start and stop timing, with the maths done for them.
Contraction Timer by Nestling
Best for: Anyone who wants a timer with no account, no ads and Lock Screen and Apple Watch timing.
Contraction Timer Labor
Best for: Parents who want a calm, clear log of each contraction's length and the gaps between them.
Freya
Best for: Hypnobirthing families who want a birth timer that matches the calm language and breathing they've practised.
Labora
Best for: Parents who want Lock Screen, Apple Watch or voice timing, with alerts when the pattern changes.
Ovia
Best for: People who've used the app since trying to conceive and want their contraction timer in the same place.
Pregnancy+
Best for: Parents-to-be who like detailed week-by-week information and want a contraction timer ready for the big day.
When to call your midwife
The NHS advises calling your midwife or maternity unit if you're having regular contractions coming every 5 minutes or more often, and urgently if any contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes or you're having 6 or more every 10 minutes.
What that means for you: a timer helps you describe what's happening clearly, but it doesn't make the decision. Ring your midwife or maternity unit whenever you're unsure or worried, whatever the app says. This guide is general information, not medical advice, so talk to your doctor or midwife about your own situation.
Simple timer or full pregnancy app?
Simple timers do one job: one tap to start, one to stop, with the length and gap calculated for you. Pregnancy apps include a timer alongside week-by-week tracking, kick counters and articles. Some timers add Lock Screen, Apple Watch or voice timing, which helps when you'd rather not fiddle with your phone mid-contraction.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
If you already use a pregnancy app, check whether its timer is good enough. If not, a dedicated timer is quick to set up and easy for a partner to use.
Getting ready before labour starts
- Install the timer a few weeks before your due date.
- Show your birth partner how to start and stop it.
- Do a practice run so the buttons feel familiar.
- Turn on Lock Screen or watch timing if the app offers it.
- Save your maternity unit's number somewhere easy to find.
- Keep your phone charged and pack a charger in your hospital bag.
What to note down for your midwife
- When contractions started. The time of the first regular one.
- How long they last. The app shows this for each contraction.
- How far apart they are. Measured from the start of one to the start of the next.
- Anything else. Waters breaking, bleeding or changes in your baby's movements.
A note for birth partners
If you're the birth partner, the timer is often your job. Keep it simple: tap when a contraction starts, tap when it ends and stay calm about the numbers.
Read the history out when the midwife asks, and don't turn every contraction into a commentary. Your partner will want encouragement far more than statistics.
And look after yourself too. Eat something, drink water and charge your phone when you can; labour can be long, and you'll be more help if you're not running on empty.
Do you make a contraction timer app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a contraction timer
Pick the simplest timer you and your partner can both use half-asleep. In the moment, big buttons and a clear history matter far more than extra features.
Then let the app do its job and let your midwife do theirs. For more free guides, browse my free resources library.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best contraction timer app?
A simple one-tap timer that you and your birth partner can use easily, ideally with Lock Screen or watch timing.
When should I go to hospital during labour?
The NHS advises calling your midwife or maternity unit if contractions are regular and every 5 minutes or more often; they'll tell you when to come in.
How do contraction timers work?
You tap at the start and end of each contraction, and the app calculates how long it lasted and the gap between them.
Are contraction timer apps free?
Most apps here are free downloads, and some describe no ads or paywalls.
Can my partner time contractions on their phone?
Yes. Any of these apps works on a partner's phone, and some support Apple Watch.
Should I rely on the app's advice?
Use it to keep track, but always call your midwife or maternity unit if you're unsure or worried.
