Pomodoro Timer — Focus, Breaks & Session Stats

About this Pomodoro Timer

This gentle Pomodoro timer helps you focus without stress. Pick a mode (Focus, Short Break, Long Break), press Start, and let the timer keep precise time using the high-resolution performance.now() clock. Auto-cycle can start the next interval for you, and every few focus sessions you’ll get a longer break.

Your progress stays private in your browser: the tool tracks how many focus sessions you complete, total focus minutes today, and your ongoing daily streak. Turn on desktop notifications and a soft chime if you like a nudge at the end of each interval.

What Is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a simple, science-informed time-management method that alternates short, focused work intervals with brief breaks. Invented by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s and named after his tomato-shaped kitchen timer (“pomodoro” in Italian), the approach helps you protect attention, reduce procrastination, and build sustainable momentum throughout the day. Instead of trying to concentrate for hours, you work in compact blocks—most commonly 25 minutes of focus followed by a 5-minute break—with a longer break after several rounds. These predictable cycles make it easier to start, and they also prevent overworking, which can drain energy and lower the quality of your output.

Why Pomodoro Works

Pomodoro leverages three powerful principles: intention, boundaries, and recovery. First, you set a clear intention for a single block (“I will draft the introduction” or “I will solve two problem sets”). Next, you protect that block by removing distractions and letting the timer be the boundary; there’s no need to negotiate with yourself mid-session. Finally, you recover with short breaks that reset posture, eyes, and attention, so you return to the next interval with fresher focus. Over time, these cycles reduce task switching, improve perceived difficulty (starting feels easier), and create a steady pace that’s kinder to your nervous system than last-minute marathon sessions.

Classic Pattern and Popular Variations

The classic pattern is 25 minutes focus + 5 minutes break, repeating four times, then taking a longer 15–30 minute break. Many people adapt this to their work type: 50/10 for deep reading, 20/5 for high-energy sprinting, or 90/15 for creative flow. Our timer lets you set your own focus, short, and long break lengths and automatically insert a long break every N sessions, so you can match the rhythm that feels most natural to you.

Step-by-Step: How to Use This Timer

1. Choose a mode (Focus, Short Break, Long Break) and set durations that suit your task.
2. Write a tiny, concrete intention for the next interval (e.g., “Outline 3 slides”).
3. Start the timer and silence distractions—close extra tabs, mute notifications if possible.
4. Work only on the chosen task until the timer ends. Let interruptions wait for the break.
5. Take the break fully: stand, stretch, hydrate, look away from the screen.
6. After several focus blocks, enjoy a longer break to reset more deeply.

Tips, Traps, and Who It’s For

Tips: Batch tiny tasks into one block, keep a “parking lot” note for intrusive thoughts, and use our session log to spot patterns (time of day, block length, or task type that gives the best momentum). Common traps: skipping breaks, switching tasks mid-block, and using overly long intervals that invite fatigue. Who benefits: students, writers, developers, researchers, and anyone juggling cognitively demanding work—or simply trying to make chores feel less heavy. If twenty-five minutes feels hard at first, start with fifteen and build up. The goal is consistency, not punishment.

Your data stays on your device. Use the chime and optional desktop notifications for gentle nudges, and check Today’s Stats to keep an encouraging score of your progress and streaks.