20 minute timer

Twenty minutes in one click

The 20 minute timer is waiting at 20:00. Click "Start" or tap the space bar and the countdown is under way. Beeps announce the end.

What is twenty minutes good for?

• A nap. Keep it to about twenty minutes. Sleep much longer and you risk drifting into deep sleep and waking up groggy.
• Resting your eyes. The 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes at a screen, look at something 20 feet (about 6 metres) away for 20 seconds.
• A rest break at work. In the UK, adult workers are generally entitled to one uninterrupted 20-minute break when the working day is longer than six hours.
• Boiled potatoes. Medium potatoes need roughly 20 minutes. They are done when a knife slides in easily.
• A period of ice hockey. Each of the three periods lasts 20 minutes of playing time.
• Reading practice. Twenty minutes of reading a night is a common target for primary school children.

Tips for naps and screen breaks

If the timer is your wake-up call, use a laptop that is plugged in and set not to sleep, or keep your phone screen on: a device that dozes off may not ring. Check the volume before you close your eyes. For the 20-20-20 rule, simply start the timer again after each look into the distance.

Frequently asked questions

Is the countdown still accurate in a background tab?

Yes. The remaining time is worked out from the finishing time, so even if the browser slows down hidden tabs, your twenty minutes do not stretch.

Why is there no sound at the end?

Make sure "Sound at the end" is ticked and the device is not muted. Always start the timer with a click or a key press on the page, as some browsers block sound otherwise.