How do I start a 20 minute timer?
The timer on this page is already set to 20 minute. Press Start and it counts down in large numbers, with an alarm when the time is up. You can pause, add a minute or go full screen. FixDoks's 20 Minute Timer runs in your browser with nothing to install.
20 Minute Timer at a glance
| Preset | 20 minute |
|---|---|
| Controls | Start, pause, reset, +1 minute, full screen |
| Alarm | Beeps when time is up |
| Processing | In your browser; your files are not uploaded |
| Price | Free |
| Works on | Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone |
How to use 20 Minute Timer
- The timer is set to 20 minute. Press Start, or the Space bar.
- Use Pause if you are interrupted, or +1 min to add time.
- Press Full screen to show the countdown large on a phone, laptop or projector.
- When the alarm sounds, press Restart to run it again, or pick another length below the timer.
Twenty minutes: work block and eye break
The 20-20-20 rule is a commonly shared tip for people who spend long periods at a screen: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (roughly 6 metres) away for 20 seconds. Eye care organisations often suggest this kind of habit to ease tired eyes. This timer is set to 20:00, so it can mark each block.
Ways to spend twenty minutes
- Screen work block: write, code, design or study, then look out of a window when the alarm sounds before restarting.
- Short nap: a nap of around 20 minutes is often suggested by sleep guides, because it tends to leave people less groggy than a long one. Naps affect people differently, so adjust to what works for you and avoid napping late in the day if it disturbs your night sleep.
- Home workout: a circuit of bodyweight exercises with short rests. Choose a pace that suits your fitness and speak to a doctor first if you have health concerns.
- Reading time: a chapter or a long article, with the phone in another room.
- Cooking prep: chop vegetables, marinate or start a simple dish.
- Short meeting: twenty minutes with a one line agenda is often enough for a check-in.
Using the timer for a nap
Set the timer before you lie down, turn off notifications, and make sure the volume is up so you hear the alarm. Most people need a few minutes to settle, so some choose to set it for a little longer. Once the alarm sounds, get up slowly and drink some water. If you cannot sleep, resting quietly is still a break.
Using it for eye breaks
Press Restart after each alarm so the next twenty minute block begins immediately. When it sounds, pick a point across the room or outside, rest your eyes there for about twenty seconds, blink a few times and carry on. If the alarm catches you mid-sentence, finish the thought and then take the break.
If you often forget, keep the page in a pinned tab and leave the sound on.
A 20 minute countdown, ready to start
Twenty minutes fits a lot of everyday jobs, from a short nap to a focused study block. This timer opens at 20:00, so just press Start. An alarm sounds when the time is up.
What a 20 minute timer is good for
- Power nap: about 20 minutes is a common length for a short nap that leaves you refreshed.
- Screen breaks: a reminder to look away from the screen regularly.
- Study block: one topic or one past paper section.
- Cooking: rice, roast vegetables and many curries need around 20 minutes.
- Exercise: a brisk walk, a cycle or a yoga session.
Tips
- For a nap, start the timer first and keep the sound on with the volume up.
- Combine with the 5 minute timer for a break after each block.
Need a different length? Use the online timer for any time, or the stopwatch to count up.