Work away. Capy will tell you when to look away 👀
Press Space to start / pause
Keep your 20-20-20 timer after you close the browser
The timer above is a free 20-20-20 eye break timer. It counts 20 minutes, asks you to look about 20 feet (6 m) away for 20 seconds, then starts the next 20 minutes. It only runs while this browser tab stays open.
On a long day at a Mac or Windows computer, the work leaves the browser. Close the window and the timer stops, so the next break is up to you to remember.
CapyBreaks is a desktop app for Mac and Windows. Close the browser and the reminder still reaches you. Turn on Eye Breaks. They stay off until you do. The default is every 20 minutes, then 20 seconds looking about 20 feet (6 m) away. Cappy shows up on your desktop to remind you.
Download CapyBreaks and start the 7-day free trial. After the trial, Personal is $14.99 once for up to 3 devices.
What is the 20-20-20 rule?
The 20-20-20 rule is a commonly suggested habit: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 m) away for 20 seconds.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology says to give your eyes a break during screen time and look at an object in the distance.
Remembering the 20 minutes is the hard part while you are working. This eye break timer counts them, asks you to look away, then starts the next cycle. This online eye break timer only runs while this browser tab stays open. Close the tab, or close the browser, and the countdown stops.
How to Use This Eye Break Timer
- 1
Click Start
A 20-minute screen-time interval begins. You can also press the spacebar to start or pause.
- 2
Keep this tab open
You can switch to another tab. The countdown keeps going while this tab stays open. Close the tab, or close the browser, and it stops.
- 3
Look about 20 feet away
When Look Away appears, look at something about 20 feet (6 m) away for the full 20 seconds.
- 4
Let it loop
After 20 seconds, the timer starts another 20-minute interval on its own. Leave this tab open if you want it to keep going.
What this eye break timer counts
20 minutes
The Screen Time phase counts down 20 minutes.
20 feet (6 m)
Look Away asks you to look at something about 20 feet (6 m) away.
20 seconds
The look-away phase lasts 20 seconds, then the next 20 minutes begin.
This browser tab
The countdown continues while this tab stays open, including when you switch to another tab. Close the tab and it stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 20-20-20 rule?
The 20-20-20 rule is a commonly suggested habit: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 m) away for 20 seconds. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says to give your eyes a break during screen time and look at an object in the distance (https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/computer-usage).
How does this eye break timer work?
Click Start and the timer counts down 20 minutes. It then switches to a 20-second Look Away break so you can look at something about 20 feet (6 m) away. After that it starts another 20-minute interval. This online eye break timer only runs while this browser tab stays open. Close the tab, or close the browser, and the countdown stops. No sign-up required.
Is this eye break timer medical advice?
The 20-20-20 pattern is a commonly suggested habit. This is a reminder tool, not medical advice. See an eye doctor about persistent symptoms.
How is this different from a Pomodoro timer?
A Pomodoro timer uses 25-minute work sessions with longer breaks. This eye break timer follows the 20-20-20 pattern: 20 minutes on screen, then 20 seconds looking about 20 feet (6 m) away. You can use a Pomodoro timer for work blocks and this timer for the look-away reminder.
How is the desktop app different from this online timer?
This online eye break timer only runs while this browser tab stays open. Close the tab, or close the browser, and the countdown stops. CapyBreaks is a desktop app for Mac and Windows. Close the browser and the reminder still reaches you. Turn on Eye Breaks. They stay off until you do. The default is every 20 minutes, then 20 seconds looking about 20 feet (6 m) away. Cappy shows up on your desktop to remind you. By default it also reminds you to step away, drink water, stretch, and check your posture. The 7-day free trial starts the first time you open the app. You do not need a CapyBreaks account. After the trial, Personal is $14.99 once for up to 3 devices. Team is $9.99 per seat. Windows installs from the Microsoft Store. The Mac download is an Apple-silicon DMG. A reminder that comes due while the microphone is in use, or while a fullscreen app is active, is skipped and the timers start over. On Windows, reminders also pause when Windows reports presentation mode. On Mac, a presentation in a window that does not fill the screen does not by itself pause reminders. Default idle detection skips a due reminder after 5 minutes without keyboard or mouse and starts the timers over. A screen share by itself does not pause reminders.
Download CapyBreaks and start the free trial
The free timer on this page keeps the 20-20-20 loop going while the tab stays open. CapyBreaks keeps the 20-20-20 reminder on your Mac or Windows computer after the browser is closed. Turn on Eye Breaks there. They stay off until you do.
By default it also reminds you to step away, drink water, stretch, and check your posture.
The 7-day free trial starts the first time you open the app. You do not need a CapyBreaks account. After the trial, Personal is $14.99 once for up to 3 devices. Team is $9.99 per seat. Windows installs from the Microsoft Store. The Mac download is an Apple-silicon DMG.
A reminder that comes due while the microphone is in use, or while a fullscreen app is active, is skipped and the timers start over. On Windows, reminders also pause when Windows reports presentation mode. On Mac, a presentation in a window that does not fill the screen does not by itself pause reminders. Default idle detection skips a due reminder after 5 minutes without keyboard or mouse and starts the timers over. A screen share by itself does not pause reminders.