I am American with passport having layover in Istanbul for 20 hours. Do I need Visa?

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You Need a Visa to Enter Turkey

If you plan on leaving the airport then, as a US passport holder, you will need a Turkish Visa to enter the country.

United States of America: Ordinary and official passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. They can obtain three month-multiple entry visas from Turkish diplomatic representations abroad and also via the website www.evisa.gov.tr.

Fortunately you can apply for a visa online using the dedicated governmental website.

You Don't Need a Transit Visa

Since the linked website explicitly mentions "transit" for other nationalities, I am assuming that US citizens don't need a transit visa for Turkey, if they stay within the terminal airside. Indeed, the website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs states the same:

Question: I will be flying to Europe. I know that our aircraft will land in Δ°stanbul. I am not planning to leave the transit lounge. Do I need to get transit visa?

Answer: If you will not leave the transit lounge at the airport you are not required to have transit visa. Otherwise, you have to make visa application to the nearest Turkish Representation. Contact information of the said missions can be reached through www.mfa.gov.tr (Ministry/Turkish Representations).

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