July 17, 2025, 10:45 am | Read time: 4 minutes
An app that predicts a user’s death date? Sounds like something out of a bad horror movie, but it actually exists. And as if that weren’t enough, a clock has now been announced. TECHBOOK explains what’s behind the “Death Clock.”
With a nostalgic wood design in the style of the 1980s and mechanical operation, the Death Clock is visually striking. It not only shows the regular time but also counts down the remaining lifetime upon request. The concept was developed by the online shop Inqfactory in collaboration with the YouTube channel Vsauce.
Lifetime Visible at the Push of a Button
The Death Clock initially appears to be a regular desk clock, but with a press of the large red button, the display changes: Instead of the current time, the statistically remaining lifetime in seconds appears. According to the developers, the information is based on various factors that the user provides in a short questionnaire at the beginning–such as age, living environment, gender, and occupation. The calculation is not solely based on the average age in the country of origin but combines individual data for a rough estimate.
The control is via rotary knobs and buttons on the right side of the clock. In addition to the prominent red button, there is a gray button that allows the clock to be reset to normal mode. Although a small battery is integrated, the clock is mainly powered by a power cable. The developers emphasize that the Death Clock remembers how many seconds have passed even when turned off and adjusts the remaining lifetime accordingly.
Panic Mongering or Meaningful Reflection?
Seeing how lifetime slips away is not meant to panic Death Clock owners but rather to motivate them to use their remaining time wisely. Appropriately, two Latin phrases can be read on the clock:
“Omnes vulnerant, ultima necat” translates roughly to “All wound, the last one kills.” This phrase is often seen on old church tower clocks and refers to the transience of life. “Mox Nox,” on the other hand, means something like “soon the night” or “the night comes.” Both phrases are intended to encourage reflection on mortality.
The Death Clock is not yet available, but it can be pre-ordered on Inqfactory’s website for $79.90. The provider notes that while the product photos shown there largely depict the final design, minor changes may still be made. Delivery is expected to begin in early 2026.
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Death Clock as a Digital Version for Smartphones
For those for whom the desk clock is not suitable, the Death Clock can also be tried digitally. The app of the same name is available for download in the “Health & Fitness” category at Apple and Google. In the Play Store, it is literally described as “Your AI companion for health and longevity.” In fact, the Death Clock app has a health-oriented approach, even if the news of one’s death date may be unsettling for the faint-hearted.
How the Death Clock App Works
Unlike the desk clock, the app calculates the time of death using AI. This AI has been trained in advance by the developers at Most Days, the company behind Death Clock, with more than 1,200 life expectancy studies. Additionally, the AI can access data from 53 million people to calculate the time of death.
All users have to do is answer a lot of questions. How much alcohol do you drink? Do you eat vegetables and fruits? Do you exercise? Do you have trouble falling asleep? Based on the answers, Death Clock then calculates the last day of life.
However, Death Clock does not just leave users with the knowledge of when they will die. The app also provides tips on how to push this date further back. However, users only gain this knowledge after subscribing to a paid subscription. Currently, at nearly 85 euros annually, it is not exactly cheap. However, there is also a three-day free trial period.
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Using the Death Date During Lifetime
Most Days sees potential in its app for banks and insurance companies. If they know the health risks of their customers and the possible date of death, contracts can be tailored much more individually. Conversely, people for whom Death Clock predicts a very long life can invest in financial products with high returns. Additionally, knowing one’s own death date allows for early financial planning for potential descendants.
At least the app offers potential for meaningful use. The desk clock, on the other hand, is more of a gag for private use. However, in both cases, the predicted death date should not be taken at face value. Death Clock cannot predict if you will be hit by a truck tomorrow or if other accidents will significantly shorten your life.