OBS Countdown Timer
Three ways to get a countdown clock into your OBS scenes, from a no-install browser overlay to a dedicated NDI feed.
Add a countdown to OBS with no install
The fastest route is KUMA Timer's free online timer. It runs in any browser with no account and no download, so you can drop it straight into OBS as a Browser Source: create a new Browser Source, paste in the timer's URL, and size it to fit your canvas.
This is a plain one-off countdown — it won't remember presets or a runsheet between sessions, but it's enough for a simple "starting soon" clock or a segment timer you set up once per stream.
Capture the desktop app instead (free in Lite)
For anything more than a single countdown, install the KUMA Timer desktop app for Mac or Windows and add it to OBS as a Window Capture source. The free Lite tier already gives you:
- Countdown, count-up and clock modes
- Up to 10 presets and 10 runsheet cues (each up to 59:59)
- Colour warnings as time runs down — green → orange → red
- Stream Deck control through the free Bitfocus Companion module
That means presets for each stream segment, overtime colours the moment you overrun, and a hardware button to start/pause — all without paying anything. See the full breakdown on the pricing page.
A dedicated NDI feed instead of a window (Full)
Window Capture works, but it comes with window borders and the risk of another app popping up on top mid-stream. For a cleaner signal, enable NDI output in KUMA Timer's settings and add it in OBS as an NDI source (OBS needs its free NDI plugin for this) — this needs a Full licence, unlocked automatically for the 30-day trial.
| Method | Licence | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Browser Source (free online timer) | None | A quick one-off countdown, no setup |
| Window Capture (desktop app) | Free — Lite | Presets, cue list, Stream Deck control |
| NDI Source | Full | Clean video feed, optional transparent background, no window chrome |
NDI output supports an optional transparent background, so the countdown can sit over other graphics as an overlay rather than a solid block. See the stage timer feature overview for the rest of what Full unlocks.
Useful once you're live
Beyond just showing a number, a few things matter specifically for streaming:
- Message to screen — a scrolling or static banner ('BRB', 'Starting in 5') on the same display, with a flash effect and timed auto-dismiss (Full)
- Audio cues — a chime at the orange and red transitions, or a gong at zero, so you don't have to watch the clock constantly (Full)
- Remote control — start, pause and adjust time from the web controller or the iOS Companion app on your phone without touching the streaming PC (Full)
- Stream Deck — the Bitfocus Companion module (26 actions, 21 feedbacks) works even on the free Lite tier
Check the documentation for setup steps, or the API reference if you're driving the countdown from your own automation instead of Companion.
FAQ
How do I add a countdown timer to OBS?
Three options: open the free online timer and add it as a Browser Source for a quick one-off countdown; install the KUMA Timer desktop app and capture its window for presets, a cue list and colour warnings (free in the Lite tier); or enable NDI output in the desktop app (Full) and add it in OBS as an NDI source (with OBS's NDI plugin installed) for a cleaner feed without window borders.
Is there a free countdown timer for OBS?
Yes. The online timer works in any browser with no account, and the KUMA Timer desktop app's Lite tier is free forever — countdown, count-up and clock modes, up to 10 presets and 10 cues, colour warnings, and Stream Deck control via Bitfocus Companion. Either can be captured into OBS at no cost.
How do I get a transparent countdown overlay in OBS?
Enable NDI output in KUMA Timer's settings and switch on its optional transparent background, then add it in OBS as an NDI source (with OBS's NDI plugin installed). This requires a Full licence, which is unlocked automatically during the 30-day trial that starts on install.
Can I control the countdown remotely while I'm streaming?
Yes. The Bitfocus Companion module (works on Lite and Full) puts start, pause and presets on Stream Deck buttons. With a Full licence you can also use the built-in web controller from any browser or the iOS Companion app on your phone, so you don't need to touch the machine running OBS.
How do I show a countdown until my stream starts?
Set up a preset for your pre-show countdown in KUMA Timer, capture it into OBS with a Window Capture or NDI source on your starting-soon scene, and switch cues when you go live. A Full licence adds scheduled cue auto-fire, so the countdown can start automatically at a set clock time without you pressing anything.