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20 Minute Timer

The 20 minute timer

Twenty minutes covers a nap, a workout or a proper study block, and it is the length most people can hold full concentration without effort.

Press start and the ring empties as the time runs down. The remaining time also appears in the tab title, so you can work in another window and still see it. When it reaches zero the tone plays until you stop it.

What 20 minute is good for

What people actually use this length for:

  • A twenty-minute nap, the length that avoids grogginess
  • A HIIT or circuit session
  • Reading or revision before a break
  • Rice, once it has come to a simmer with the lid on
  • A timed writing session to get a first draft down

For naps, set the timer as you lie down and accept that some of it is spent falling asleep — that is normal and the nap still works.

Other timers

Need a different length? Try 10 Minute Timer, 15 Minute Timer, 25 Minute Timer, 30 Minute Timer, or set any duration on the timer hub.

Questions people ask

Does the timer keep running if I open another tab?

Yes. It works from the finishing moment rather than counting ticks, so background throttling does not slow it down.

Can I change the sound?

Fifty tones are listed beside the timer, from a soft chime to a klaxon. Your choice is remembered on this device.

Will it start automatically?

Only if the site is set that way. Otherwise press start when you are ready — which is usually what you want for a preset timer.

Where to go next

This is the 20 minute timer — its own page, so you can bookmark it or send the link to someone rather than setting the duration again. If you need the time somewhere else rather than a timer, local time in every country has every country and city.