Set the alarm clock for 4:26 am

Leave this tab open — the alarm only rings while the tab stays open.

The alarm goes off in: ::

You can also try the other alarm clocks

Alarm clock for 4:24 am Alarm clock for 4:25 am Alarm clock for 4:27 am Alarm clock for 4:28 am

Going to bed for a 4:26 am alarm

Asleep by 7:11 pm — 6 full sleep cycles, about 9 hours
Asleep by 8:41 pm — 5 full sleep cycles, about 7 hours
Asleep by 10:11 pm — 4 full sleep cycles, about 6 hours

A sleep cycle runs about 90 minutes, and most people take around 15 minutes to drop off. Waking at the end of a cycle feels easier than waking in the middle of one.

4:26 am across the country

London	4:26 am
Birmingham	4:26 am
Manchester	4:26 am
Glasgow	4:26 am
Belfast	4:26 am

Times are worked out live in your browser, so daylight saving is already accounted for.

How to use the online alarm clock

As you finish preparing the BBC studio and head out at 4:26 am, this alarm can mark the moment to leave without another glance at the clock. The final checks are done, the early crew can take over, and 5:00 am is close enough to shape the next stage of the morning rather than the work you have just completed.

Before leaving the BBC studio, keep the alarm page open and make sure the computer will remain awake, with its sound audible. If the page is closed or the computer goes to sleep before the set time, the studio alarm will not sound, so use a separate alarm for anything that cannot be missed after you have left the building. A quick sound check also prevents a muted browser or low volume from turning the alert into a silent notification.

Once the studio door is behind you, allow for the journey rather than assuming empty streets guarantee a fixed arrival time. Roads are often quiet at this hour, but overnight works, diversions and reduced public transport can add unexpected minutes. Check the route just before setting off, note any closures, and leave a modest buffer if you need to be somewhere by 5:00 am.

Common questions

Does the alarm still work if I close the tab?

No. Everything runs inside this page, so closing the tab — or quitting the browser altogether — ends the countdown there and then. Leaving it open in the background is all it asks, and switching to another tab makes no difference.

What happens if my laptop goes to sleep before 4:26 am?

The tab sleeps along with it and the alarm will not sound on time, if at all. If you are relying on it, change the power settings so the machine stays awake, or keep a phone alarm running as well.

Do I need an account or an app?

Neither. Choose a time and a sound, press Start, and it runs in this browser tab. Nothing is downloaded, nothing is registered, and closing the page leaves nothing behind on the device.

Can I change the sound?

Yes, there is a short list of tones to pick from before you press Start. Softer sounds are easy to sleep through, so a firmer bell tends to be the safer choice for anything early in the morning.