Pomodoro Timer - Free Online Focus Timer

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What is a Pomodoro Timer?

A Pomodoro timer is a countdown timer built for the Pomodoro technique, a simple way to stay focused. You work on one task for a fixed block of time, usually 25 minutes, then take a short break. After a few blocks you take a longer break. The timer keeps count so you can concentrate on the work instead of watching the clock.

The method was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato, named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used as a student. Today it is popular with students, writers, developers, designers and anyone who finds it hard to start or keep going on a task.

How to Use the Pomodoro Timer

1. Choose one task you want to work on and close anything that could distract you.
2. Make sure Focus is selected and click Start. The 25 minute countdown begins.
3. Work on that one task until the timer ends and you hear the soft beep.
4. Switch to Short Break and rest for 5 minutes. Stand up, stretch, drink some water.
5. Switch back to Focus for the next session. After about four focus sessions, switch to Long Break for 15 minutes.
6. Use Pause if you really need to stop for a moment, and Reset to start the current timer from the beginning.

You move between Focus, Short Break and Long Break with the mode buttons, so you stay in control of when each part starts.

The Three Timer Modes

Mode	Default time	What to do
Focus	25 minutes	Work on one task without switching to anything else
Short Break	5 minutes	Rest your eyes and body. Move, stretch, drink water
Long Break	15 minutes	Take a proper rest after about four focus sessions

What You See on the Page

Item	Meaning
Large countdown	The time left in the current mode, shown as MM:SS
Progress ring	A circle that shows how much of the current time has passed
Start, Pause, Reset	Start the timer, stop it for a moment, or begin the current timer again
Mode buttons	Switch between Focus, Short Break and Long Break
Gear icon (Settings)	Change the Focus time and the Break time
Tab title	Shows the remaining time and mode, for example 25:00 - Focus Time
Soft beep	Plays when your focus time ends

The Pomodoro Technique Step by Step

1. Pick one task. Write down what you want to finish in this session.
2. Set the timer for 25 minutes and focus on that task only.
3. Work until the timer ends. If a distraction comes up, write it down and deal with it later.
4. Take a 5 minute break. Step away from the screen.
5. Repeat. After four focus sessions, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

One Full Pomodoro Cycle

With the default times, a full cycle of four focus sessions looks like this:

Step	Mode	Time
1	Focus	25 min
2	Short Break	5 min
3	Focus	25 min
4	Short Break	5 min
5	Focus	25 min
6	Short Break	5 min
7	Focus	25 min
8	Long Break	15 min
Total		130 min (2 hours 10 minutes)

Four focus sessions give you 100 minutes of focused work in about two hours and ten minutes.

Change the Focus and Break Time in Settings

Click the gear icon to open Settings. You can change the Focus time (25 minutes by default) and the Break time (5 minutes by default) to fit your work.

Style	Focus	Break	Good for
Classic	25 min	5 min	Most tasks, and a good place to start
Shorter	15 min	3 min	Getting started on a task you are avoiding
Longer	50 min	10 min	Deep work, coding and writing

These are only examples. Try the classic times first, then change them if 25 minutes feels too short or too long for your work.

See the Time in Your Browser Tab

The tab title changes with the timer, for example 25:00 - Focus Time. This lets you work in another tab or window and still see how much time is left, without going back to the timer page. Keep the timer page open in its own tab, and do not close it until you are done.

Tips to Get the Most from Pomodoro

• Work on one task per session. Switching between tasks breaks your focus.
• Silence your phone and close tabs that you do not need.
• Really take the break. Stand up, stretch, look away from the screen, drink water. Do not use the break to check social media.
• Write down distractions. If a thought pops up, note it on paper and go back to your task.
• Start small. If a task feels too big, tell yourself to do just one session.
• Adjust the times. There is no rule that says 25 minutes is right for everyone.
• Plan the day in Pomodoros. Estimate how many sessions each task needs.

Who Uses a Pomodoro Timer?

• Students preparing for exams or finishing assignments.
• Developers who want to code without constant interruptions.
• Writers and designers who find it hard to begin a big piece of work.
• Remote workers who need structure for the day.
• Anyone who wants to stop putting things off.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping breaks: Breaks are part of the method. Skipping them can leave you tired later.
• Checking your phone during a break: It does not rest your mind. Move around instead.
• Pausing too often: If you pause every few minutes, the session is not really focused. Use Reset and start a clean one.
• Working on several tasks in one session: Keep each session for one task.
• Closing the timer page: The timer stops when the page is closed. Keep it open in its own tab.
• Forcing 25 minutes when it does not fit: Change the times in Settings to match your work.

Good to Know

• Keep the page open. The timer runs while the page is open, even when you are in another tab.
• Phone screens: On a phone, the browser may pause the page when the screen locks, so the alarm can be late or may not play. Keep the screen on for best results.
• Sound: Check that your device volume is on and not muted. Browsers usually allow sound only after you have clicked or tapped on the page.
• The alarm: A soft beep plays when focus time ends. After a break, check the timer yourself.

Privacy

• The timer runs in your browser, and nothing you do on it is sent to our server.
• No signup, no account and no app install are needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pomodoro technique?

The Pomodoro technique is a time management method where you work in short, focused sessions, usually 25 minutes, separated by short breaks. After about four sessions you take a longer break. It was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, and the name comes from the Italian word for tomato, after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used.

How do I use this Pomodoro timer?

Choose Focus, click Start and work on one task until the timer ends. When the soft beep plays, switch to Short Break and rest. After about four focus sessions, switch to Long Break. Use Pause to stop for a moment and Reset to start the current timer again.

What are the default times?

The defaults follow the standard technique: 25 minutes for Focus, 5 minutes for a Short Break and 15 minutes for a Long Break.

Can I change the focus and break time?

Yes. Click the gear icon to open Settings and change the Focus time and the Break time to suit you. Some people prefer longer sessions such as 50 minutes of focus, others prefer shorter ones. The standard 25 and 5 is a good place to start.

Does the timer make a sound?

Yes. A soft beep plays when your focus time ends. Make sure your device volume is on and not muted. Some browsers only allow sound after you have interacted with the page, which is why you start the timer with a click or tap.

Why does the browser tab show the time?

The tab title changes with the timer, for example 25:00 - Focus Time, so you can see the remaining time and the current mode while you work in another tab.

Does the timer keep running if I switch to another tab?

Yes, keep the Pomodoro page open in its tab and switch freely to other tabs. The tab title keeps showing the remaining time. Do not close the tab or the browser, because the timer stops when the page is closed.

Will the alarm work if my phone screen is locked?

Not always. Phones and browsers can pause web pages when the screen is locked or the browser is in the background, so the beep may be late or may not play. For best results on a phone, keep the screen on and the page open.

How long is one full Pomodoro cycle?

With the default times, four focus sessions of 25 minutes, three short breaks of 5 minutes and one long break of 15 minutes add up to 130 minutes, which is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Is the Pomodoro technique good for studying?

Many students use it because it breaks a long study session into small parts and builds in regular breaks. It does not suit everyone, so if 25 minutes feels too short or too long, change the times in Settings and see what works for you.

Is my data sent to a server?

No. The timer runs in your browser using JavaScript, and nothing you do on it is sent to our server.

Is this Pomodoro timer free, and does it work on mobile?

Yes. The timer is free and needs no signup or app install. It is designed for phone screens as well as desktop.