Leave this tab open while you work. Every 20 minutes it chimes and shows a 20-second countdown that reminds you to look at something about 20 feet away, then starts the next round by itself.
Last updated:
Ready
20:00
until your next eye break
Press Start. The timer keeps counting in a background tab, so you can keep working.
Breaks today0
Skipped0
Screen time timed0 min
Eye break: look 20 feet away
Look out of a window or at the far side of the room, about 20 feet (6 m) away.
20
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How to use the 20-20-20 Eye Break Timer
Keep the defaults for the classic 20-20-20 rule, or pick another preset or type your own interval and break length.
Turn on desktop notifications if you want a pop-up when the tab is hidden behind your work.
Press Start reminders and go back to work. The ring shows the time left until the next break.
When it chimes, look away at something about 20 feet (6 m) away until the 20-second countdown ends.
Carry on working: the next round starts automatically. Use Pause, Skip break or Take a break now whenever you need to.
The 20-20-20 rule in practice
Close work keeps the eye's focusing system busy and makes most people blink less often than usual. Short, regular changes of focus are an easy way to take the load off. The rule is deliberately simple so it becomes a habit:
Part of the rule
What to do
Why
Every 20 minutes
Stop looking at the screen when the timer chimes
Frequent short breaks are easier to keep than rare long ones
Look 20 feet (about 6 m) away
Pick a distant object: a window view, a door, the far wall
At that distance the eye's focusing muscles are close to relaxed
For 20 seconds
Keep looking until the countdown ends and blink fully
Gives the focus time to settle and the tear film time to refresh
Other habits that reduce screen eye strain
Distance and height: keep the monitor roughly an arm's length away, with the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level.
Brightness and glare: match screen brightness to the room and avoid a bright window directly behind or in front of the screen.
Text size: zoom in rather than leaning forward to read small text.
Blink on purpose: a few slow, complete blinks during each break help when your eyes feel dry.
Longer breaks too: stand up and move for a few minutes every hour or two. The 60 min / 5 min preset is handy for that.
Regular eye exams: an out-of-date prescription is a common cause of eye strain; tell your eye doctor how many hours you spend on screens.
This timer is a reminder tool, not medical advice. See an eye care professional about persistent symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 20-20-20 rule?
It is a simple habit for screen work: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 meters) away for at least 20 seconds. Eye care organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggest it as a way to rest the eyes during long stretches of close-up work.
Why does looking far away help?
When you focus on a screen or book, the focusing muscles inside the eye work to keep the near image sharp, and people tend to blink less. Looking into the distance lets those muscles relax for a moment and usually leads to a few natural blinks, which helps with the tired, dry feeling of digital eye strain.
Does the timer work in a background tab?
Yes. The timer uses the real clock rather than counting ticks, so it stays accurate when the tab is hidden or the browser slows background timers. Turn on desktop notifications so you see the break reminder while another window is in front.
How do I get notifications?
Tick Desktop notifications and allow notifications when your browser asks. If you blocked them earlier, re-enable notifications for this site in the browser's site settings. Some systems also have a focus or do-not-disturb mode that hides notifications.
What if I can't see 20 feet away?
Look at the farthest point you can: out of a window, down a hallway or at the far corner of the room. The goal is to change your focus from near to far for a short while, so anything well beyond arm's length is better than staring at the screen.
Can the 20-20-20 rule fix eye problems?
No. It is a comfort habit for screen work, not a treatment. If you have ongoing blurred vision, headaches, eye pain or dryness, see an optometrist or ophthalmologist; you may need glasses for computer distance or another check.
Is anything uploaded or tracked?
No. The timer runs entirely in your browser. Your settings and today's break count are stored only in this browser's local storage.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.