How to time contractions, what the 5-1-1 rule means, and when labor might be the real thing — plus a free, offline contraction timer you can install on your phone.
Open the free contraction timer →Start the timer when a contraction begins and stop it when it ends — that gives the duration (how long it lasts). The time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next is the frequency, or interval. A contraction timer records both automatically so you can see the pattern build. Time several in a row rather than a single one, since providers look at the overall pattern.
The 5-1-1 rule is a common guideline many providers use to describe active labor: contractions about 5 minutes apart, each lasting about 1 minute, continuing for at least 1 hour. It is a general guide, not a diagnosis — some providers use different thresholds (such as 4-1-1) or give specific instructions for your pregnancy. Follow the plan your own doctor or midwife gave you, and call them if you are unsure.
Follow the specific guidance your provider gave you — it may differ from the general 5-1-1 rule depending on your pregnancy, how far you live from the hospital, and your history. As a general rule, many providers ask you to call when contractions have been about 5 minutes apart, lasting about a minute, for an hour. Call sooner — or go in — if your water breaks, you have bleeding, your baby is moving less, or you have severe pain or headache. When in doubt, call; that is what your care team is there for.
In active labor, contractions typically come close together — often around 3 to 5 minutes apart — and get stronger and more regular over time. Early (latent) labor contractions are usually farther apart and more irregular. Timing them helps you see whether they are getting closer together, which is one sign labor is progressing. This is general information; your provider can tell you what to expect for your situation.
Active-labor contractions often last about 45 to 70 seconds each, and tend to get longer and stronger as labor progresses. Early-labor contractions are usually shorter. A timer records each contraction's duration so you can see the trend. Exact timing varies from person to person.
The standard way to measure how far apart contractions are is start-to-start: from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next. That is the "frequency" or "interval," and it is what the 5-1-1 rule refers to. This app measures start-to-start automatically, so you do not have to do the math.
Braxton Hicks ("practice") contractions are usually irregular, do not get closer together, often ease up if you move or change position, and do not grow much stronger. Real labor contractions tend to become regular, closer together, longer, and stronger over time regardless of what you do. Timing them is one way to tell — but if you are unsure, contact your provider.
Early (latent) labor usually has milder, more irregular contractions that are farther apart, and it can last a while. Active labor generally has stronger, longer, more regular contractions that are closer together (often around the 5-1-1 pattern), and the cervix dilates more quickly. This app's 5-1-1 indicator watches for that active-labor pattern — but only your provider can confirm what stage you are in.
Yes. Labor & Contraction Tracker is completely free, with no ads, no accounts, and no sign-up. You can use it in any modern web browser or install it to your phone's home screen.
Yes. Once the app has loaded once, it works offline — helpful in a car or a hospital area with poor signal. Your contraction logs are saved on your device, so you can keep timing even without an internet connection.
On iPhone (Safari): tap the Share button, then "Add to Home Screen." On Android (Chrome): tap the menu (three dots), then "Install app" or "Add to Home screen." It then opens full-screen like a regular app and works offline.
Yes. Your contraction logs, water-status entries, and any notes are stored only in your browser on your own device. There is no account and no server — we never receive or upload your data. You can export a backup file to move your data to another device, and clearing your browser storage removes it. See the Privacy section below for details.
You can log the time your water broke and note the fluid's color and details. Clear or pale-yellow fluid is generally considered normal, but green or brown fluid (which can mean meconium) or bloody fluid can be a sign that needs prompt attention. If your water breaks — especially with green, brown, or bloody fluid, a strong odor, or heavy flow — contact your provider or labor & delivery right away. Note the time, because they will usually ask.
This app stores your contraction logs, water-status entries, and notes only in your browser on your device (using local storage). We have no server, no account system, and no analytics or advertising — your data is never sent to us or anyone else. Your data stays until you clear it or clear your browser's storage; use the in-app Export Data Backup to keep a copy. The app loads its code and fonts from this same website, so nothing is fetched from third-party servers while you use it.