Skip to content
HourpieSee the app

20 minute timer

One lesson segment or one subject of homework fits in twenty minutes.

5101520

20:00

Timer length
Pie color

Want it on your lock screen? See the free app

Split a lesson or a work session

Twenty minutes works for a lesson segment before a brain break, or for a focused stretch of work before a short rest. It is long enough to get somewhere and short enough that the end is always in sight. It is also a common length for a power nap.

A 20-minute homework block

  1. Clear the desk and open one subject only.
  2. Start the pie and work until it is empty.
  3. At the 10-minute mark, check that you are still on the same task.
  4. When the pie runs out, take a five-minute break before the next subject.

What fits in 20 minutes

In the classroom

  • A guided reading group
  • Small-group instruction
  • Test sections

At home and at work

  • Cooking pasta from cold water
  • Walking the dog
  • A focused email session

Try this

In class, put the pie on the board at the start of the segment, so students can pace their own work.

The Hourpie app keeps a 20 minute timer on your lock screen.See the app

20 minute timer questions

How do I start a 20 minute timer?

Press Start. This page opens with the pie set to 20 minutes. When time is up, the timer plays three soft tones and counts the time over.

Can I show it to a class or change the length?

Yes. For a class, turn on Projector colors and press Full screen. To change the length, tap another length under the pie, or drag around the pie to set any time from 1 to 180 minutes.

How long is a power nap?

A power nap is usually 10 to 20 minutes. Start the timer when you lie down, and allow a few minutes to fall asleep.

How long should one homework block be?

There is no single right length. Twenty minutes is a manageable block for one subject, with a short break before the next. Make it longer or shorter based on how the work goes.