20 Minute Timer
Free shareable timer - copy the link and anyone can start counting down instantly.
Why a 20 minute timer?
Twenty minutes is the upper edge of a good nap and the outer limit before deep sleep starts. It is also the interval in the 20-20-20 rule that optometrists recommend for screen work: every twenty minutes, look at something twenty feet away for twenty seconds, to give your focusing muscles a break.
In the oven it is the standard first check on roasting vegetables, and in study it is long enough for a full pass over a topic while staying comfortably inside most people's uninterrupted attention span.
What people use a 20 minute timer for
- The 20-20-20 rule. Every twenty minutes of screen work, look twenty feet away for twenty seconds to reduce eye strain.
- Power naps. The upper end of the nap window, just before deep sleep and the grogginess that follows it.
- Roasting vegetables. The usual first check on a tray of vegetables before turning and returning them to the oven.
- Study blocks. A full pass over one topic, shorter than a Pomodoro-style block but easier to sustain back to back.
- Workout circuits. Enough time for several full rounds of a bodyweight circuit with rest built in.
Other preset timer lengths
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 20-20-20 rule?
An eye-strain guideline for screen work: every twenty minutes, look at something about twenty feet away for twenty seconds. It gives the eye's focusing muscles a break from sustained close work.
Is a twenty-minute nap too long?
It is generally considered the top of the useful range. Twenty minutes keeps you in lighter sleep; going much beyond it risks waking from deep sleep and feeling worse than before you lay down.
Can I share this link with my class?
Yes - just copy the link from the box above and paste it into your LMS, email, or messaging app. When students open it they get a 20m timer that's ready to start with one tap. No account or download needed.
Does the timer save my progress?
The timer runs entirely in your browser - progress is not saved between page loads. If you refresh or close the tab the timer resets to 20m. For a timer that auto-starts when someone opens the link, add ?autostart=1 to the URL or use the shareable timer generator.
Can I add a label to my timer?
Absolutely. Add a ?label= parameter to the URL - for example https://stopwatch.now/timer-link/20m?label=Math+Quiz. The label appears above the countdown. You can also use the timer link generator to build a labelled timer link without editing URLs by hand.
Can I make the timer auto-start when someone opens the link?
Yes. Add ?autostart=1 to the URL. For example: https://stopwatch.now/timer-link/20m?autostart=1. The timer will begin counting down the moment the page loads - no click required.