Pomodoro timer
Work in focused sprints with built-in breaks.
Focus
- Adjustable work and break lengths
- Long break every 4 sessions
- Tracks completed sessions
How to use the Pomodoro timer
- Set your work and break lengths, or keep the defaults.
- Type what you are working on, then click Start.
- Work until the alarm, then take the break. It cycles automatically.
The classic cycle, by default
| Phase | Default length | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | 25 minutes | One uninterrupted block of work on a single task |
| Short break | 5 minutes | A quick reset before the next focus block |
| Long break | 15 minutes | A longer recovery after several focus blocks |
| Sessions before long break | 4 | How many focus blocks happen before the long break |
Every one of these numbers can be changed. The defaults just match the original technique as Francesco Cirillo designed it.
Common ways people adjust it
| Style | Work / break | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | 25 / 5 | General tasks, studying, email and admin |
| Extended | 50 / 10 | Deep work that takes time to get into, like writing or coding |
| Short bursts | 15 / 3 | Tasks you keep avoiding, to lower the barrier to starting |
Getting more from each session
- Type the task into the label field before you start, so it is clear what that specific 25 minutes is for.
- Turn off auto-start next session if you want to review progress and decide when to begin the next phase yourself.
- Turn on Notify me on each phase to catch phase changes even if you have switched to another window.
- Treat a finished session as done even if the task is not, and pick it back up next session instead of pushing through past the alarm.
Pomodoro timer FAQ
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
It is a time management method from the late 1980s: work for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break, and after every 4 rounds take a longer 15 to 30 minute break.
Can I change the 25 and 5 minute lengths?
Yes, set any work length, short break and long break you want, and how many sessions happen before a long break.
Does it move to the next phase by itself?
Yes, if auto-start next session is checked. Turn it off to review your progress and click Start yourself before each new phase.
Is my task label saved anywhere?
No. It stays in your browser tab only and is never sent or stored.
Why is it called the Pomodoro Technique?
Francesco Cirillo, who created the method in the late 1980s, used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer as a student. Pomodoro is Italian for tomato, and the name stuck.
What if I get interrupted in the middle of a session?
Pause rather than reset if the interruption is short. For a longer break in your focus, reset and start a fresh session once you can give it your full attention again.
Do I have to take the long break after exactly 4 sessions?
No, that is just the default. Change sessions before long break to any number from 2 to 8 to match how long you can realistically stay focused before needing a bigger reset.
Can I use longer work blocks, like 50 minutes?
Yes. Some people prefer a 50 minute work period with a 10 minute break instead of the classic 25 and 5, especially for deep work that takes time to get into. Set work and short break to whatever balance suits the task.
How is this different from a plain online timer?
A plain timer counts down once and stops. This one cycles automatically between focus and break phases, switches to a long break after your chosen number of sessions, and keeps a running count of completed sessions for the day.