Contraction Timer — Track Labor Contractions Online
Time your contractions in real time, watch your pattern automatically against the 5-1-1 rule, and know exactly when it’s time to call your midwife, doctor, or head to the hospital.
This tool is for tracking purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you experience heavy bleeding, severe pain, decreased fetal movement, or believe you are in active labor, contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately — do not rely on a calculator to make that decision.
⏱ Contraction Timer
Live Tracking| # | Start Time | Duration | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No contractions logged yet — your timeline will appear here. | ||||
Your data stays on this device only — nothing is uploaded or stored on our servers. Closing or refreshing the page clears your log.
How the Contraction Timer Works
This tool measures two things that matter most to your care team: how long each contraction lasts, and how often they’re occurring, start to start. Use it like this:
Tap Start
Press “Start Contraction” the moment you feel tightening begin in your abdomen or lower back.
Tap Stop
Press “Stop Contraction” when the tightening fully releases. This logs your duration automatically.
Watch the Pattern
The tool calculates frequency (start-to-start) and duration averages, and flags the 5-1-1 pattern for you.
The 5-1-1 Rule Explained
The “5-1-1 rule” is the most common bedside guideline used by midwives and obstetric units to judge when labor has likely become active. It means:
- 5 — Contractions are coming every 5 minutes or less (measured start to start)
- 1 — Each contraction lasts about 1 minute
- 1 — This pattern has been consistent for at least 1 hour
This rule is a general guideline, not a universal rule for every pregnancy. First-time parents are often told to wait slightly longer; if you’ve given birth before, labor can progress faster, so contact your provider sooner. Your own care team’s instructions always take priority over this guideline.
Stages of Labor Contractions
Contractions change in character as labor progresses. Here’s what’s typical at each stage:
| Stage | Frequency | Duration | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early labor | 5–30 min apart | 30–45 sec | Mild, period-like cramping; can usually still talk through it |
| Active labor | 3–5 min apart | 45–60 sec | Stronger, requires focus/breathing; cervix dilating 6–10cm |
| Transition | 2–3 min apart | 60–90 sec | Intense, little rest between; often the shortest, hardest phase |
Real Labor vs. Braxton Hicks Contractions
| Braxton Hicks | Real Labor | |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Irregular, unpredictable | Regular, gets progressively closer together |
| Intensity | Stays mild, doesn’t build | Steadily intensifies over time |
| Effect of movement | Often eases with walking or position change | Continues or worsens regardless of activity |
| Location | Mostly front of abdomen | Often starts in lower back, wraps to front |
When to Call Your Midwife or Doctor
- Your contractions match the 5-1-1 pattern consistently for an hour
- Your water breaks (clear, pink, or green-tinged fluid)
- You notice a significant decrease in your baby’s movements
- You have vaginal bleeding heavier than light spotting
- You have a severe, constant headache, vision changes, or upper abdominal pain
- You feel a strong urge to push, or feel pressure low in your pelvis
- You were told you are GBS-positive or have a planned induction date
Always follow the specific instructions given by your own obstetric or midwifery team — they know your pregnancy history and may advise different thresholds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Real labor contractions are regular, get closer together over time, increase in intensity and duration, and don’t ease off with rest, hydration, or changing position. If contractions stop when you walk around or lie down, they’re more likely Braxton Hicks practice contractions.
Reasonable accuracy to the nearest 10–15 seconds is sufficient. Hospitals and midwives are looking for the overall pattern — frequency and duration trends over an hour — not split-second precision.
The start is the moment you first feel the tightening sensation begin, not when it becomes painful. Frequency is always measured start-to-start, not from when one ends to when the next begins.
If contractions wake you from sleep and are mild and infrequent, try to rest between them rather than tracking continuously — early labor can last many hours and you’ll want your energy later. Start active timing once they become regular and uncomfortable enough to need focus.
No. All timing happens locally in your browser. Nothing is transmitted to or stored on pregcalc.com servers, and your log disappears when you close or refresh the page.
Sources & Medical Review
This page was written using clinical guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the UK National Health Service (NHS), and Mayo Clinic patient education resources on labor and delivery.
Use this contraction timer alongside our Due Date Calculator to keep track of your pregnancy timeline as labor approaches. For guidance on when to head to the hospital, see the ACOG patient FAQ on labor and delivery.