Timers

20 Minute Timer

Twenty minutes, ready to start: a power nap that ends before grogginess, a screen-break reminder or a solid study block.

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Copy a link to this timerFocus mode (F)
Keyboard shortcuts

Set the time

Add an hour
00
hrRemove an hourAdd a minute
20
minRemove a minuteAdd a second
00
secRemove a second
Reset to the full time (Shift + R)Add one minute (↑)

Plain words work too: "half an hour", "2.5 minutes".

Three soft rising notes. Gentle enough for an office or a sleeping house.Play this sound
Starts again automatically every time it ends, with a short alarm each round. Great for stretching reminders, rounds or 'every 20 minutes' breaks.

Your timers (1)

Run several timers at once, each with its own name, length and sound. Ideal for cooking several dishes or timing different stations. They keep running if you reload.
  • Start 20 min timerRemove 20 min timer

Alarm and display

The alarm is scheduled on your device's audio clock when you press Start, so it rings on time even in a background tab. It keeps ringing until you dismiss it.
Alarm loudness on this device. Your system volume still applies, so turn that up too.
80%
Mute (M)Test the alarm sound
This browser does not support web notifications.
This browser does not support the Screen Wake Lock API.
Runs on your device's clock, so it stays exact in background tabs and across reloads. Nothing is uploaded.

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Quick answer

Twenty minutes is the classic power nap, the interval in the 20-20-20 rule for screen users (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds), and a manageable study block. Playxoft's free 20 minute timer is preset: press Start or the Space key and it sounds an alarm at zero. Turn on Repeat and it reminds you every 20 minutes without being touched.

  • Set to 20 minutes
  • Alarm rings in background tabs
  • Multiple timers
  • Six alarm sounds
  • Fullscreen focus mode

How to use this 20 minute timer

  1. 1The timer is already set to 20 minutes. Press Start or the Space key to begin.
  2. 2Optional: name it (for example "Power nap"), pick an alarm Sound, and turn on Repeat to run it again automatically.
  3. 3While it runs, use +1 min or the quick chips to adjust, and Focus mode for fullscreen digits.
  4. 4When the alarm rings, press Dismiss, or Snooze 5 min for more time.

What is a 20 minute timer good for?

  • Power naps. Naps of about 10 to 20 minutes are widely recommended because they tend to end before deep sleep, so you wake up less groggy.
  • The 20-20-20 rule. Eye-care professionals suggest that every 20 minutes of screen time you look at something about 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds.
  • Study and homework blocks. Twenty minutes of focused work followed by a short break is a manageable rhythm for students.
  • Roasting vegetables. Many vegetables roast in 20 to 30 minutes at about 200 °C (400 °F), turned halfway.
  • A short walk. A 20-minute walk is an easy way to add movement to the day.

How do I follow the 20-20-20 rule?

The 20-20-20 rule is a simple habit recommended by eye-care professionals for people who spend long periods looking at screens: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 meters) away for at least 20 seconds.

This timer can run it for you:

  1. Turn on Repeat for this 20 minute timer and press Start.
  2. When it chimes, look out of a window or across the room. Add a second timer set to 20s if you want to count the 20 seconds.
  3. The 20 minute timer has already started its next round, so you do not have to touch anything.

Choose a soft sound such as Chime so the reminder is noticeable without startling anyone nearby.

Tips for using a 20 minute timer

  • For naps, pick Soft rise, set the volume, and turn on Keep screen awake if the phone is on a stand.
  • Name repeating reminders ("Eyes", "Stretch") so you know what each chime means.
  • Use the Pomodoro timer if you want 20-minute sessions with breaks and a daily tally.
  • Need a 25-minute session instead? Open the 25 minute timer.

How many seconds is 20 minutes?

20 minutes is 1,200 seconds, or 0.333 of an hour.

MeasureValue
Seconds1,200
Minutes20
Hours0.3333
Back to back in one hour3
Back to back in one day72

With Repeat on, this timer goes off 3 times an hour, which makes it a dependable interval reminder.

Need a different length?

Frequently asked questions

About 10 to 20 minutes is the length most often recommended. Short naps tend to end before deep sleep, so you are less likely to wake up groggy.
Every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something about 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds. Turn on Repeat on this 20 minute timer to get a reminder every 20 minutes.
Yes. Turn on Repeat and it starts again by itself every time it ends, with a short alarm each round.

Last updated by the Playxoft engineering team.

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