20 Second Timer
A free 20 second timer, preset and ready. Press Start for a quick 20 seconds countdown with an alarm at zero. Perfect for short drills, plank holds, brushing teeth and quick games. Runs in your browser — no download.
What is this timer good for?
- A plank, wall-sit or other isometric hold
- Brushing teeth (the dentist's recommended length)
- A quick HIIT interval or sprint
- A board-game or quiz turn timer
- A short breathing or grounding exercise
How to use it
- The timer opens preset to 20 seconds.
- Adjust the hours, minutes or seconds for a different length.
- Press Start and the big display counts down.
- An alarm sounds at 00:00:00 — press Reset to run it again.
How long is 20 seconds?
20 seconds is 33% of a minute — exactly 1/3 of it. At a relaxed speaking pace of two words per second, about 40 words fit into this window. Half of 20 seconds is 10 seconds, and two rounds back to back add up to 40 seconds.
Twenty seconds is how long health agencies say proper hand-washing should take.
Things that take about 20 seconds
- Run a 20-second sprint, hard pedal or jump-rope burst in interval training.
- Give kids exactly 20 seconds for a speed tidy-up race or for taking turns on a toy.
- Rest between weight-lifting sets — 20 seconds keeps the intensity high without letting muscles cool down.
- Use 20 seconds as the answer clock in quiz nights, charades and board games.
FAQ
Will it ring if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer calibrates against your system clock, so it stays accurate even in a background tab. Just don't close the tab.
Do I need to download anything?
No. The timer runs entirely in your browser with no download, signup or plugin.
Can I change the duration?
Yes. Type any hours, minutes and seconds into the fields, or pick a related timer above.
Is it free?
Yes, it is completely free to use.
How long is 20 seconds really?
20 seconds is 20 seconds — 33% of a minute.
Can I pause the 20-second timer halfway through?
Yes. Press Pause at any point and Start to continue; the remaining part of the 20 seconds is kept to the second.