Pomodoro Timer

Focus timer with customizable intervals -- free, private, runs in your browser

25:00
Focus
Sessions today: 0

Settings

25 min
5 min
15 min
4 sessions

Read more: Stay Focused With a Free Pomodoro Timer

What Is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It uses a simple concept: break work into focused intervals (traditionally 25 minutes) separated by short breaks (5 minutes). Each interval is called a "pomodoro," named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used as a university student.

The technique works because it creates a sense of urgency and structure. Knowing you only need to focus for 25 minutes makes it easier to resist distractions. The short breaks prevent mental fatigue, and the longer break after four sessions gives your brain time to consolidate what you have learned or accomplished.

Research in cognitive psychology supports the benefits of spaced work intervals. Studies show that brief breaks during tasks improve focus, reduce mental fatigue, and increase overall productivity compared to marathon work sessions.

How to Use a Pomodoro Timer

  1. Start a focus session. Click Start to begin a 25-minute countdown. The circular progress ring shows your remaining time at a glance.
  2. Work with full focus. Close distracting tabs, silence notifications, and concentrate on a single task until the timer reaches zero.
  3. Take a short break. When the chime sounds, step away from your screen for 5 minutes. Stretch, get water, or rest your eyes.
  4. Repeat and earn long breaks. After completing 4 focus sessions, the timer suggests a longer 15-minute break to recharge before the next cycle.

You can customize all durations in the Settings section above. Your preferences are saved automatically in your browser.

Pomodoro Timer vs Pomodoro Apps

Dedicated Pomodoro apps like Forest, Be Focused, or Focus Keeper offer features like gamification and cross-device sync. However, they require installation, account creation, and often a paid subscription for full functionality.

This browser-based timer offers key advantages:

For most people who simply need a reliable focus timer, a browser-based tool is more convenient than downloading yet another app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the timer work in the background? Yes. The timer continues running when you switch to another tab or application. Browser tabs may throttle JavaScript timers after about a minute, but this tool compensates by checking actual elapsed time rather than relying solely on interval counts. Desktop notifications will fire when the session ends, even if the tab is in the background.

Can I customize the intervals? Yes. Adjust focus duration (15-60 minutes), short break (1-15 minutes), long break (5-30 minutes), and the long break interval (every 2-8 sessions). Settings are saved in your browser.

Does it save my sessions? Yes. Completed focus sessions are counted per day and stored in your browser's local storage. The count resets at midnight. Your settings also persist between visits.

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