How can I use the Apple Watch timer for times less than one minute?

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I did a quick search of the App Store and noted at least one app that might do what you want. It's "Due – Reminders, Countdown Timers." I suggest you do a more complete search to see if there is one there that might provide the 30 second time you need.

The closest thing that is currently available is to switch to the "Chronograph" watch face and hit the timer button in the upper right corner.

you have to use the digital crown

Using the digital crown will not allow setting a time that is less than a minute, which is the issue we are trying to address.

Or just use the watch face. After displaying the watch face tap the screen and it will stay on for 75 seconds.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

Or just use the watch face. After displaying the watch face tap the screen and it will stay on for 75 seconds.

The wake period of up to 70 seconds (rather than 75) is not the default on tap behaviour.

The Utility, Simple and Colour watch faces each include a large second hand, which you may find helpful for conveniently timing periods of less than one minute.

Under watchOS 2 and later, Apple Watch can remain awake for:

• Up to around 6 seconds, when waking the watch by raising your wrist;
• Up to 15 seconds on being tapped (the default setting), or;
• Up to 70 seconds on being tapped.

For your choice of the longer time periods to apply, interact with your watch by tapping the display or pressing the Digital Crown. For example:

• Wake your watch by tapping on it, or;
• Wake your watch by pressing the Digital Crown once, or;
• Tap on the display when the watch is already awake, or;
• Press the Digital Crown when the watch is already awake (for example, if it is set to Resume Last Activity on wrist raise, you may need to press the Digital Crown to return to the watch face).

To choose between 15 and 70 second time periods:

On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > General > Wake Screen - under On Tap, select the setting for 15 or 70 seconds.

Note that, if your wrist is lowered during that time, your watch will still return to sleep.

if you would like Apple to consider adding new features - including support for Timer periods of less than one minute - you can submit feedback here:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

If you have not yet done so, the instructions below explain how to update your iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest software (the 70 second wake time option is available under watchOS 2 and later):

- Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

- Update the software on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

To switch to using a different watch face:

- When viewing the time on your watch, press firmly on the display > swipe left / right to your preferred watch face > either tap on the Customise button (to customise any available watch face features and/or complications) or just tap on the selected watch face to start using it.

I came here looking for an alternate way to set timer for seconds. What I currently do is put the watch in voice command and say "set timer for 30 seconds" and it will set and start the timer for said time. It always works, just need a way to set it without having to give voice command. When timing sports events it can get loud and might take some time for the watch to figure out what was said.

Truguce wrote:

just need a way to set it without having to give voice command. When timing sports events it can get loud and might take some time for the watch to figure out what was said.

You can submit feedback here:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

Use Siri on your apple watch to set the desired timer. "Hey Siri, set a 30 second timer".

The question asks about setting the timer for less than one minute without using Siri.