20-Second Timer

Use this 20-second timer for the work phase of a Tabata round, a hand-washing check or one focused exercise hold. The length is short enough for high effort but long enough to establish a steady pace instead of reacting to a start cue only.

00:00

Hours Minutes Seconds

Alarm sound Volume

Tip: press Space to start or pause, R to reset, F for full screen.

In short

This page opens at 0:20 and targets a twenty-second work interval. Press Start for a full-screen countdown with pause, alarm and loop controls.

Is a 20-Second Timer the Right Length?

Best for: Tabata work rounds, hand washing, plank holds and fast circuit stations.

Choose another length for: complex exercises, brewing or recovery between demanding strength sets.

Pair it with the 10-second timer or use the Tabata timer for automatic rounds.

A twenty-second work round

Stage	Time	What to do
Prepare	4 seconds	Begin the movement under control rather than sprinting the first seconds.
Main block	12 seconds	Maintain repeatable technique through the middle of the interval.
Finish	4 seconds	Stop at zero and move into a planned recovery.

How to Set a Timer for 20 Seconds

Starting this countdown takes one click. The clock is already set to 0:20. Here is the full flow, including pausing, looping and full screen.

Open the presetThe countdown already shows 20 seconds (0:20), so no duration entry is needed.
Use it for a twenty-second work intervalBegin the movement under control rather than sprinting the first seconds.
Follow the finish cueStop at zero and move into a planned recovery.

Duration and Clock Conversion

This duration spans 20 seconds in total.

That's under a minute - A short, precise countdown.

However you measure it, the 20-second countdown tracks the same span and reaches zero at the scheduled finish time. Alarm sound requires the page to remain open and the browser to permit audio.

Seconds	20
Minutes	0.3333
Hours	0.0056
Clock (h:mm:ss)	0:00:20

Using this for training?

Interval Training Timer Guide for HIIT Workouts

Set up interval timers for HIIT, Tabata, EMOM and circuits. Learn the work/rest formats and how to loop a timer so your rounds run hands-free.

Read the guide →

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Questions About This Duration

What is a 20-second timer best used for?

It is a strong fit for Tabata work rounds, hand washing, plank holds and fast circuit stations. Pair it with the 10-second timer or use the Tabata timer for automatic rounds.

Is 20 seconds the right timer length for every task?

No. It is less suitable for complex exercises, brewing or recovery between demanding strength sets. Match the timer to the task rather than choosing a duration only because it is familiar.

What timer should I use instead of 20 seconds?

Pair it with the 10-second timer or use the Tabata timer for automatic rounds.

How is the remaining time calculated?

The countdown is driven by your device clock, so its display recalculates the remaining time whenever the browser is able to update. When the page is hidden the browser may slow the on-screen updates, but the finish time is calculated from the real clock. Background alarm sound is not guaranteed.

Need this countdown on another page? Create an embeddable timer with your preferred title, theme and size.