Free Online Pomodoro Timer
Focus timer
Focus · 1 of 4
Shortcuts outside form fields: Space start/pause, R reset, N next, S switch phase.
Task intent
Current task: None
Recent tasks
- No saved tasks yet.
Completed focus sessions are linked to the current task in your local log and CSV export.
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Timer settings and schedule presets
Timer settings
Selected: Classic 25/5/15 — 25 min focus, 5 min short break, 15 min long break after 4 sessions.
Manual mode leaves both options off. “Auto-start breaks” starts the break after focus; “Auto-start focus” starts focus after a break. Turn on both to cycle continuously through focus and breaks.
Today’s stats and seven-day progress
A streak is one or more completed focus sessions on consecutive local calendar days. Completion rate is completed focus sessions divided by all completed, reset, or skipped focus attempts.
Last seven local days
Task totals
- Complete a focus session with a task to see totals.
Session log
| Start | Type | Task | Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No sessions yet. | ||||
Privacy: settings, tasks, and session history stay in this browser’s local storage and are not uploaded by this timer.
Common Pomodoro schedules
These are practical conventions, not medically prescribed attention limits. “Cycle total” includes four focus sessions, the first three short breaks, and the final long break.
| Rhythm | Common use | Focused work | Elapsed before long break | Cycle total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic 25/5/15 | General work, study, or a first routine | 100 min | 115 min | 130 min |
| Deep Work 50/10/20 | Reading, writing, or work with setup cost | 200 min | 230 min | 250 min |
| Study 45/15/30 | Long lessons or problem sets | 180 min | 225 min | 255 min |
| Quick Focus 20/5/15 | Chores, admin, or an easier starting point | 80 min | 95 min | 110 min |
Classic example: four 25-minute sessions provide 100 minutes of focused work. The first three 5-minute breaks bring elapsed time to 115 minutes; including the final 15-minute long break brings the full cycle to 130 minutes.
Pomodoro guide: use, adjust, and troubleshoot the method
How does the Pomodoro method work?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management system created by Francesco Cirillo. Its familiar timer pattern pairs a defined task with 25 minutes of focused work, a short break, and a longer break after several completed sessions. The timer supplies a boundary and a record; it does not guarantee concentration or productivity.
How to use this timer
- Optionally enter the task you intend to work on.
- Keep the Classic 25/5/15 schedule or choose another complete schedule preset.
- Press Start, or press Space when focus is outside an input, to begin the current interval.
- When the interval ends, take the indicated break; after four completed focus sessions, take the long break.
- Review the local session log and seven-day insights, or export the data as CSV.
How should I choose a duration?
Start with 25/5 if you want the recognizable method. Use a shorter focus interval when beginning feels difficult, and a longer one when stopping would impose a high setup cost. Treat 50/10 and similar patterns as adaptable Pomodoro-style schedules, not as evidence that one rhythm is biologically optimal.
What does a worked day plan look like?
Choose one concrete outcome, such as “draft the project summary.” Run 25 minutes of focus, take 5 minutes away from that work, and repeat. After the fourth focus session, review the 100 minutes of work recorded and take the 15-minute long break. Start another cycle only if it fits your workload and energy; four sessions are a cycle, not a required daily quota.
What should I do about interruptions?
Keep a small “later” note for non-urgent thoughts and requests. If an interruption must be handled, pause or reset and begin a new interval afterward. Research broadly supports the idea that interruptions can impair task performance, but the cost differs by task and situation; the timer is simply one way to make intended single-task time visible.
What can I do during a break?
Step away from the task, change posture, refill water, or look into the distance. Avoid claiming that a precise 5-minute break will improve memory or “reset” the brain. A meta-analysis found small improvements in vigor and fatigue after micro-breaks but no statistically significant improvement in overall performance; task demands and break length mattered.
Evidence and limitations
The 25/5 rhythm is the method’s convention, not a universal 90-minute brain rhythm or clinical intervention. Evidence about breaks and interruptions can inform sensible work design, but it does not establish that Pomodoro is best for every person, job, or health condition. Stop or adapt the method if timed work increases stress, conflicts with safety, or fragments work that benefits from continuity.
Pomodoro timer FAQ
What is a Pomodoro timer?
A Pomodoro timer divides a chosen task into focused work intervals separated by breaks. The classic rhythm uses 25 minutes of focus, a 5-minute short break, and a longer break after four focus sessions.
Why is a Pomodoro timer usually 25/5?
Twenty-five minutes of work followed by five minutes of rest is the original, recognizable Pomodoro pattern. It is a convention rather than a universal biological optimum, so the best interval can vary by person and task.
How long should the long break be?
The classic approach commonly uses a 15- to 30-minute long break after four focus sessions. This timer defaults to 15 minutes and lets you adjust it.
How many Pomodoro sessions should I do?
Four focus sessions form a convenient cycle, not a required daily quota. Choose a number that fits your workload, available time, and need for recovery.
Is 50/10 still Pomodoro?
A 50/10 schedule is a Pomodoro-style variation rather than the classic 25/5 rhythm. It may suit tasks with a higher setup cost, while shorter intervals may be easier for other work.
What should I do if I am interrupted?
If it is safe to defer the interruption, note it and return after the interval. If it is urgent, pause or reset, handle it, and begin a fresh interval when ready.
Is the Pomodoro method useful for studying or ADHD?
Some students and people with ADHD find an external timer and a small task intention helpful, but preferences vary and this tool is not a treatment or diagnostic aid. Adjust the interval, stop if it adds stress, and seek individualized advice from a qualified professional when needed.
Will the timer work in a background tab?
Yes. The timer calculates elapsed time from the browser clock, so it catches up accurately when the tab returns. Browsers may throttle visual updates in the background; allow notifications if you need an end alert while working elsewhere.
Where is my Pomodoro session data stored?
Settings, tasks, and session history are stored only in this browser using local storage. They are not uploaded by this timer. Clearing site data or using a different browser or device will not preserve them, so export a CSV if you need a portable copy.
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Sources and review
- Francesco Cirillo, official Pomodoro Technique site — creator’s account and important distinction between the complete method and a timer alone.
- Albulescu et al. (2022), “Give me a break!”, PLOS ONE — systematic review and meta-analysis of micro-breaks, well-being, and performance.
- Puranik et al. (2021), systematic review and meta-analysis of interruption interventions — evidence about interruptions and task performance.
- Pindek, Krajcevska, and Spector (2018), diary study of workflow interruptions — associations with employee performance satisfaction and exhaustion.
Editorial author: Starlight Tools. Reviewed by: Starlight Robotics product team. Last reviewed: 18 July 2026.
