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

The 5-1-1 rule means contractions come every 5 minutes, each lasting 1 minute, for at least 1 hour. When your contractions match this pattern, it is generally time to call your provider or head to the hospital. Some providers use a 4-1-1 or 3-1-1 guideline instead.

How long should contractions last before going to the hospital?

Most providers recommend heading to the hospital when contractions are consistently 5 minutes apart, lasting 60 seconds each, for at least 1 hour. If your water breaks, you have heavy bleeding, or the baby stops moving, go immediately regardless of contraction timing.

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Contraction Timer, track labor contractions.

Q: When should I start timing contractions?

Start timing contractions when they become regular and strong enough that you cannot talk or walk through them. For most first-time mothers, this happens during active labor when contractions are coming every 5–7 minutes. There is no harm in starting earlier to practice using the timer.

Q: How do I tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, do not increase in intensity, and usually stop if you change position or drink water. Real labor contractions follow a pattern, get progressively stronger and closer together, and do not go away with rest or hydration.

Q: What does a contraction timer measure?

A contraction timer measures three things: duration (how long each contraction lasts from start to finish), frequency (time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next), and count (total number of contractions tracked). Some timers also let you log intensity.

You can time your contractions for free. Track the duration, frequency, and intensity. It can help you know when it’s time to go to the hospital.

Contraction Timer

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What is a contraction timer?

A contraction timer tracks how long each contraction lasts. It also tracks how much time passes between contractions. It measures two things: duration (start to finish of a single contraction) and frequency (start of one contraction to the start of the next). These two numbers help your doctor or midwife gauge how far labor has progressed.

Honestly, you don’t need anything fancy for this. A clock, a phone stopwatch, or a tool like the one above all work. The point is consistency — pressing start when the tightening begins and stop when it fades. Your partner, doula, or support person can operate the timer while you focus on breathing through contractions.

Most hospitals ask for contraction data when you call or arrive at triage. A clear log of your contraction timing saves time. It helps the staff figure out if you’re in early labor or active labor.

Contraction timer and contraction counter feature for tracking labor contractions

How to Time Contractions: Step by Step

Timing contractions is straightforward once you understand what to record. Here's the process:

Press start when the contraction begins. You’ll feel your uterus tighten. It often starts as a wave of pressure in your lower back or your abdomen.
Press stop when the contraction ends. The tightness will peak, then it’ll gradually fade. Stop the timer when the muscle fully relaxes.
Wait for the next contraction. The timer records the gap automatically. This interval — from the start of one contraction to the start of the next — is the frequency.
Repeat for at least one hour. A single contraction tells you very little. You need a pattern. Track for 60 minutes minimum before making any decisions.
Note the intensity. Some timers let you record whether each contraction felt mild, moderate, or strong. This helps you spot the progression from early labor to active labor.

If contractions are irregular and more than 8 minutes apart, you are likely in early labor or experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. Try resting and drinking water. Then time again in an hour.

The 5-1-1 Rule, when to go to the hospital.

The 5-1-1 rule is the most widely taught guideline for knowing when to head to the hospital. It means contractions come every 5 minutes, each lasts 1 minute, and this pattern continues for at least 1 hour.

When your contraction timer shows a consistent 5-1-1 pattern, call your provider. They may tell you to come in or wait a bit longer depending on factors like how far you live from the hospital, whether this is your first baby, and your medical history.

Some providers use a 4-1-1 or 3-1-1 rule instead, especially for second-time mothers whose labor tends to progress faster. Ask your doctor or midwife at a prenatal visit which guideline they want you to follow. That way, you’re not guessing at 2 a.m.

The 5-1-1 rule applies to uncomplicated pregnancies. If your water breaks, you experience heavy bleeding, or your baby's movement decreases, go to the hospital immediately — regardless of what the contraction timer shows. Read more about when to go to the hospital during labor.

Braxton Hicks vs. Real Contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are practice contractions. They feel like a tightening across your belly. They’re usually irregular. They don’t get stronger over time. They usually stop if you change position, walk around, or drink a glass of water.

Real labor contractions follow a predictable pattern. Real contractions usually get closer together, last longer, and feel stronger each time. A contraction timer can make the difference pretty obvious. Braxton Hicks contractions often come at random intervals (12 minutes, then 6, then 20). Real contractions usually settle into a narrowing pattern (8 minutes, then 7, then 6, then 5).

If you're unsure, time them for an hour. Braxton Hicks fade. Real contractions don't. That hour of data on your timer is the single most useful thing you can bring to your phone call with the labor ward. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on Braxton Hicks vs. real contractions.

When to Start Timing Contractions

Start timing when you notice contractions that feel different from what you've been experiencing. For a lot of women, it means contractions that make you stop what you’re doing. You can’t comfortably talk through them.

There's no such thing as timing too early. Practicing with the timer during Braxton Hicks in the weeks before labor is actually helpful. If you practice timing early, you’ll know the interface. You’ll probably feel less anxious about how it works. You’ll be able to spot real labor patterns faster when they start.

First-time mothers often start timing around 38–40 weeks when any tightening feels significant. Experienced mothers may wait until contractions feel unmistakably different from the Braxton Hicks they've been having for weeks. Honestly, both ways are fine.

Understanding the stages of labor helps you interpret what the timer is telling you. Early labor contractions are typically 30–45 seconds long. Early labor contractions are typically 5–20 minutes apart. Active labor contractions last 45–60 seconds and come every 3–5 minutes.

Contraction Timer App Features

The web timer above works well for quick tracking. For a full-featured experience during labor, the Pregnancy App contraction timer on your phone offers several advantages:

One-tap timing. Large start/stop button designed for use during contractions when fine motor control is limited.
Automatic frequency calculation. The app calculates intervals between contractions in real time.
Intensity logging. Write down whether each contraction feels mild, moderate, or strong, so you can track progression.
Session history. Review past timing sessions to compare patterns across hours or days.
5-1-1 alert. Get a notification when your contractions match the hospital-ready pattern.
Works offline. No internet required — critical for hospital rooms and birth centers with weak signal.
Share with your partner. Export your contraction log to show your support team or provider.

The contraction timer is part of a broader pregnancy toolkit that includes a due date calculator, kick counter, and hypnobirthing audio sessions. Everything is free.

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TL;DR

A contraction timer tracks duration (how long) and frequency (how far apart).
Use the 5-1-1 rule: every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute, for 1 hour — then call your provider.
Braxton Hicks are irregular and fade with rest. Real contractions get stronger and closer together.
Start timing when contractions are strong enough that you have to stop and breathe through them.
Always go to the hospital immediately if your water breaks. Always go to the hospital immediately if you bleed heavily. Always go to the hospital immediately if your baby stops moving, no matter how you’ve been timing things.

Limitations & Safety

This contraction timer is an informational tool, not a medical device. It does not diagnose labor, predict delivery, or replace professional medical advice. The accuracy of the data depends entirely on when you press start and stop — human reaction time introduces a margin of error of a few seconds per contraction.

Do not rely solely on a contraction timer to decide when to go to the hospital. Other signs of labor can matter just as much. These signs include your water breaking. These signs include bloody show. These signs include decreased fetal movement. These signs include that gut feeling that something’s wrong. These signs may require immediate medical attention even if contractions are not following the 5-1-1 pattern.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, preterm labor concerns, or any condition your provider has flagged, follow their instructions instead of general guidelines. Call your doctor or midwife anytime you’re unsure. When in doubt, go in. No one at the hospital is going to fault you for showing up early.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start timing contractions?

Start timing contractions once they’re regular and strong enough that you can’t talk or walk through them. For most first-time mothers, this happens during active labor when contractions are coming every 5–7 minutes. And honestly, there’s no harm in starting early if you just want to practice using the timer.

What’s the 5-1-1 rule for contractions?

The 5-1-1 rule means contractions come every 5 minutes. Each contraction lasts 1 minute. This pattern continues for at least 1 hour. When your contractions match this pattern, it’s usually time to call your provider or head to the hospital. Some providers use the 4-1-1 guideline instead. Some providers use 3-1-1.

How do I tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular. They don’t get stronger over time. They usually stop if you change positions or drink water. Real labor contractions follow a pattern, get progressively stronger and closer together, and do not go away with rest or hydration.

How long should contractions last before you go to the hospital?

Most providers recommend going to the hospital when your contractions are consistently 5 minutes apart. Each contraction lasts 60 seconds. This pattern continues for at least 1 hour. If your water breaks, go immediately, no matter what your contraction timing looks like. If you have heavy bleeding, go immediately. If the baby stops moving, go immediately.

What does a contraction timer measure?

A contraction timer measures duration (how long each contraction lasts from start to finish). It measures frequency. Frequency is the time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. It measures count (total number of contractions tracked). Some timers also let you log intensity.

Can I use a contraction timer app during labor?

Yes. A contraction timer app on your phone is one of the easiest ways to track contractions during labor. In my experience, a lot of women have a partner run the timer while they focus on breathing and coping techniques. The Pregnancy App contraction timer works on both iOS and Android.

How accurate are online contraction timers?

Online contraction timers are as accurate as the person pressing the buttons. The timer itself is precise, but human reaction time introduces a small margin of error — typically a few seconds. This is accurate enough for clinical decision-making about when to go to the hospital.

Is the contraction timer free?

Yes. The contraction timer on this page and in the Pregnancy App mobile app is completely free. There are no paywalls, ads, or account requirements. You can start timing contractions immediately.

Free Labor Contraction Tracker

Use the free labor contraction tracker on this page to record three practical details: duration, frequency, and pattern. Duration means how long one contraction lasts from the first tightening to full release; frequency means the time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next.

In real labor, the pattern usually matters more than a single strong contraction. A clear log can help you answer triage questions when you call: how far apart contractions are, whether they are getting stronger, and how long the pattern has continued. If you are anxious, ask your partner, doula, or support person to operate the timer while you breathe, move, or rest.

How a Contraction Timer Works

A labor timer works by capturing a start timestamp and an end timestamp for each uterine tightening. The app or web tool then calculates duration, interval, and average frequency so you can see whether contractions are becoming longer, stronger, and closer together.

The most useful measurements are start time, stop time, contraction length, and the start-to-start gap between contractions. Many tools also let you mark intensity as mild, moderate, or strong, which can be helpful because early labor can feel irregular and emotionally confusing. The numbers do not diagnose labor stage on their own, but they give your healthcare team a cleaner picture than memory alone, especially when contractions feel intense.

How to Time Labor Contractions Step by Step

Timing contractions is simple, but consistency matters. Use the same start and stop points each time so your log reflects a real pattern instead of guesswork.

Start the timer when the tightening, pressure, or wave clearly begins.
Stop the timer when your uterus fully softens and the contraction has faded.
Record intensity as mild, moderate, or strong if your tool allows it.
Wait for the next wave and let the timer calculate the interval from start to start.
Track for about one hour unless your provider has told you to call sooner.
Call your care team if the pattern matches their instructions or anything feels concerning.

5-1-1 Rule for Labor Contractions

The 5-1-1 rule means contractions are about 5 minutes apart, last about 1 minute each, and continue in that pattern for 1 hour. For many uncomplicated first labors, this is the point when parents are told to call their hospital, midwife, or birth center.

Some providers prefer 4-1-1 or 3-1-1, especially if you have given birth before, live far from care, are planning a home birth transfer, or have medical considerations. The NHS guidance on signs of labor notes that contractions become longer, stronger, and more frequent as labor progresses. For more detail, see our guide on when to go to the hospital during labor. This is not medical advice; follow your provider’s plan.

Braxton Hicks vs Real Labor Contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are usually irregular, do not steadily intensify, and often ease with water, rest, or a change in position. Real labor contractions tend to form a progressive pattern: closer together, longer lasting, and harder to talk through over time.

A timer helps because it turns a stressful question — “Is this it?” — into observable data. Braxton Hicks may appear at 12 minutes, then 6, then 20, then stop. Labor contractions more often narrow from 8 minutes to 7, then 6, then 5. That said, bodies are not machines, and early labor can be stop-start. If you are unsure, compare your pattern with our Braxton Hicks vs real contractions guide and call your care team if anything worries you.

When to Start Timing in Late Pregnancy

Start timing when contractions feel different from your usual tightening, especially if they require your attention, make you pause, or come with pelvic pressure, backache, or a rhythmic wave-like pattern. There is no harm in practicing before labor, particularly during the third trimester.

Many first-time parents begin timing around 38 to 40 weeks because every sensation feels important. Parents who have birthed before may wait until contractions feel unmistakably stronger or more organized. Early labor contractions are often 30 to 45 seconds long and may be 5 to 20 minutes apart; active labor contractions are commonly longer and closer. Our stages of labor guide can help you interpret what your timing log may mean.

Labor Tracking App Features to Look For

A good labor tracking tool should be calm, fast, and easy to use with one hand. Look for a large start-stop button, automatic frequency calculation, a readable history log, intensity notes, and the ability to share results with your partner, doula, or nurse.

Pregnancy App focuses on comparing pregnancy trackers, calculators, timers, meditation apps, and birth-preparation tools for pregnant people. If you want a deeper feature breakdown, see our contraction timer app guide. If you are choosing a tool for your hospital bag or support person, our labor tracking app comparison explains which features actually matter during contractions and which ones are mostly nice extras.

Best Contraction Tracking Tools Compared

The best tool is the one you can use consistently when labor feels intense. A simple web timer may be enough at home, while a phone app can be easier if you want saved history, intensity notes, and partner-friendly tracking.

Tool	Best for	Notes
Pregnancy App	Comparing contraction, pregnancy, and birth-prep tools	Helpful if you want guidance alongside timer options.
Full Term	Simple contraction logging	Popular dedicated timer with basic history.
Contraction Timer & Counter 9m	Clear contraction counting	Designed around timing and hospital readiness prompts.
Ovia Pregnancy	Pregnancy tracking plus extra tools	Broader pregnancy app with contraction features.

Birth Preparation With Contraction Data

Contraction data is most useful when it supports your coping plan, not when it becomes another thing to panic over. Many parents find it grounding to pair timing with breathing, movement, warm water, counter-pressure, or calm verbal support.

Studies suggest continuous labor support, relaxation skills, and a sense of safety can improve the birth experience, though they do not guarantee a specific outcome. During early labor, try dim lights, hydration, side-lying rest, slow breathing, or upright positions if they feel good. When a contraction starts, your support person can time while you focus on one cue, such as a long exhale. Practice ahead of time with labor breathing exercises so the rhythm feels familiar before contractions are strong.

Limitations and Safety for Contraction Timing

A contraction log is helpful, but it cannot replace clinical judgment. Call your healthcare provider, labor ward, or emergency services if symptoms feel urgent, even if your timing pattern does not match a textbook rule.

It cannot confirm cervical dilation. Only a qualified clinician can assess dilation, position, and medical context.
It may miss urgent warning signs. Heavy bleeding, severe pain between contractions, fever, or feeling faint needs prompt care.
Water breaking changes the plan. Follow your provider’s instructions about timing, fluid color, and infection precautions.
Reduced baby movement matters. Do not wait for a contraction pattern if movement decreases; use our baby kick counter for awareness, but call your provider for concerns. ACOG notes fetal movement changes should be discussed with a clinician.
High-risk pregnancies need personalized guidance. Preterm labor signs, multiples, placenta concerns, hypertension, or prior complications require your care team’s instructions.