Pomodoro Timer

Stay focused with the Pomodoro technique. Work in timed intervals with short breaks. Tracks completed sessions.

Free to use. Runs in your browser.

A focus timer that alternates 25-minute work sessions with 5-minute breaks, taking a longer 15 to 30 minute break after every 4 sessions. Based on the Pomodoro Technique by Francesco Cirillo.

Presets

Custom

Work (min)

Break (min)

Sessions completed

🔥 Focus Time

25:00

What Is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. He named it after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used as a university student ("pomodoro" is Italian for tomato). The core idea is simple: work with full focus for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer break.

Why does it work? Because your brain isn't built for sustained focus. After about 25 minutes of concentrated work, attention starts to drift. The Pomodoro Technique works with this natural rhythm instead of fighting it. The ticking clock creates urgency, the break prevents burnout, and the session counter gives you visible proof of progress.

This timer handles the full cycle automatically, when your work session ends, it starts the break timer and vice versa. It tracks completed sessions so you can see how productive your day actually was.

Pomodoro Variations

Technique	Work	Break	Best For
Classic Pomodoro	25 min	5 min	General tasks, studying, writing
Short Sprint	15 min	3 min	Admin work, email processing, quick tasks
Deep Work	50 min	10 min	Programming, design, complex analysis
52/17 Rule	52 min	17 min	Based on productivity research by DeskTime
90-Minute Block	90 min	20 min	Aligns with ultradian rhythms (sleep cycles)
Micro Pomodoro	10 min	2 min	ADHD-friendly, getting started on dreaded tasks

What this means for you: Start with the classic 25/5 and adjust based on how you feel. If you're consistently reaching 25 minutes without wanting to stop, try 50-minute blocks. If 25 feels like a slog, drop to 15.

Making Pomodoro Work for You

Eliminate Distractions First

Close Slack, silence your phone, and shut unnecessary browser tabs before starting. The 25-minute timer only works if you actually focus for 25 minutes.

Actually Take the Breaks

Breaks aren't optional, they're the mechanism that prevents burnout. Stand up, stretch, look away from the screen. Checking social media doesn't count.

One Task Per Pomodoro

Assign each session to a single task. If you finish early, use the remaining time to review or improve your work. Context switching between sessions is fine, but not during one.

Track Your Sessions

The session counter isn't just a number, it's data. If a task takes 6 pomodoros, you know it's a 3-hour job. Over time, you'll get better at estimating how long things take.

Daily Pomodoro Targets

Sessions/Day	Focused Hours	Total Time (with breaks)	Verdict
4	1h 40m	~2 hours	Light day, great for starting out
8	3h 20m	~4 hours	Solid productivity for most people
10	4h 10m	~5 hours	Good target for knowledge workers
12	5h	~6 hours	High output, hard to sustain daily
16	6h 40m	~8 hours	Exceptional, few people maintain this

Research suggests most people can sustain about 4 hours of truly focused work per day. Eight pomodoros (3h 20m of pure focus) is a realistic daily target. If you're consistently hitting 10+, you're performing at a very high level.

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How to use this tool

Set your work and break durations or choose a preset

Click Start to begin the focus timer

Take a break when the timer rings, then repeat

Common uses

Staying focused during deep work or study sessions
Managing time during freelance project sprints
Building a consistent writing or coding routine
Preventing burnout with structured break intervals

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

A time management method where you work in focused 25-minute blocks followed by 5-minute breaks. After four blocks, you take a longer break. It was invented by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s.

Why is it called Pomodoro?

Pomodoro is Italian for tomato. Cirillo used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer as a university student, and the name stuck.

How long should the work session be?

The classic is 25 minutes, but it's flexible. Try 15 minutes for admin tasks, 50 minutes for deep programming work, or any duration that matches your focus capacity.

Does the timer play a sound?

Yes. A brief audio tone plays when each session ends, using the Web Audio API. Make sure your device isn't muted.

What happens when the timer ends?

It automatically switches between work and break periods. After a work session, the break timer starts. After the break, a new work session begins.

Are my sessions saved?

The session count is tracked during your current visit. Navigating away from the page resets the counter, there's no account or persistent storage.

Can I customise the durations?

Yes. Use the custom fields to set any work and break duration. Changes take effect on the next session (not during a running timer).

What are the presets?

Pomodoro (25/5), Short Sprint (15/3), and Deep Work (50/10). Each targets a different type of task. Click any preset to apply it instantly.

Should I take the breaks?

Yes, breaks are essential. They prevent cognitive fatigue and actually improve sustained performance. Stand up, stretch, look away from the screen.

Does it work in the background?

Yes. The timer continues running if you switch tabs. The sound will play when the session ends, provided your browser allows background audio.

How many pomodoros should I do per day?

Most people manage 8 to 12 productive pomodoros per workday (4 to 6 hours of focused work). That's a realistic, sustainable target.

Is this tool free?

Yes. It is free to use, and the timer runs entirely in your browser.

Results are for general informational purposes only and should be checked before use. They are not professional advice. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Service.