Contraction Timer: How to Time Contractions at Home

What is the 5-1-1 rule for contractions?

The 5-1-1 rule is a common guideline: contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. It's often used as a signal to call your doctor or head to the hospital — but always follow your own provider's specific instructions, since guidance can vary by pregnancy.

How is contraction "interval" measured — start to start, or end to start?

Standard medical practice measures interval from the start of one contraction to the start of the next (not from when one ends to when the next begins). This tool follows that same start-to-start convention.

What's the difference between Braxton Hicks and real labor contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are typically irregular, don't get closer together over time, and often ease up with movement or rest. Real labor contractions become progressively more regular, closer together, and more intense, and don't stop with rest or position changes.

Is my data private?

Yes — all contraction timing is stored only in your own browser (localStorage), never sent to any server. It stays on this device only.

How do I time contractions at home without an app?

Use a clock or watch: note the time each contraction starts, note when it ends to get the duration, and note the time the next one starts to get the interval. A contraction counter like this one does that math automatically so you can focus on breathing through each one instead of watching a clock.

How far apart should contractions be before going to the hospital?

Most providers use the 5-1-1 rule as a general guide — contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for 1 hour straight — as the signal to call or head in. First-time labors often move slower than subsequent ones, so always follow your own provider's specific guidance over a general rule.