What this 20-minute timer is for
This is a clean, no-fuss 20-minute timer that runs straight in your browser. Press start and the hourglass tips over; the sand flows for exactly 20 minutes and then a calm completion screen tells you you're done. There's no sign-up, no install, and the live timer view is kept ad-free on purpose so nothing distracts you.
If 20 minutes isn't quite right, you can override it on the spot - type any duration into the custom-time inputs below the chips, or pick a different preset. The page is designed to be useful whether you've landed here for the exact duration in the URL or just need a fast timer that gets out of your way.
Why a 20-minute timer?
Twenty minutes is the goldilocks focus block - long enough to actually get into a piece of work, short enough that almost no one's attention has wandered before the bell. It's the famous power-nap length, a proper meditation sit, a brisk walk that resets the day, or the reading session you can fit between two meetings. The version most people end up using when 25 minutes feels arbitrary.
How to use it
Three taps and the 20 minutes start counting:
- The timer is already pre-set to 20 minutes - you don't need to enter anything.
- Press start. The hourglass tips over and the sand begins to flow.
- Pause any time with the pause button or the Space bar. Reset with R.
- When the timer hits zero, you'll get a desktop notification and a calm completion screen - start another, take a five-minute break, or call it done.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this timer for a different duration?
Yes. The page is pre-set to 20 minutes for convenience, but the custom-time inputs below the chips accept any duration up to 999 minutes and 59 seconds. Type the minutes and seconds you want, hit set, and the hourglass refills to the new length.
Will it work with the sound off?
Yes. The hourglass is the primary visual signal, and a desktop notification fires when the 20 minutes are up - even if the tab isn't focused. A configurable completion sound is on the roadmap, but it's never required.
Will my phone screen stay awake for the full 20 minutes?
On supported browsers, Timglas requests a wake lock while the timer runs so the screen stays on for the whole 20 minutes. If your browser doesn't support it, the system's normal screen-timeout will apply, but the timer itself keeps the right time regardless.
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer is timestamp-based, so it keeps the right time even if the tab is backgrounded or your device sleeps briefly. When you come back, the hourglass jumps to the right state - no time is lost.