Pomodoro Timer
A free Pomodoro timer with 25-minute focus sessions, 5-minute breaks and a long break after four, plus a task list, sound alerts, notifications and a daily tally.
The interactive tool loads here when JavaScript runs.
About this toolWhat is the Pomodoro Timer?
Press Start and work on one thing for 25 minutes. When the bell goes, take a 5-minute break, then start the next session. After every four sessions the timer gives you a longer break of 15 minutes. That is the Pomodoro Technique in its classic form, and this timer runs the whole cycle for you.
Add the tasks you plan to do with an estimate in pomodoros, select the one you are working on, and each finished session is counted against it, so by the end of the day you can see where the time went and how good your estimates were. A daily tally keeps the number of sessions and focus minutes.
Change the lengths or pick a preset such as 50/10 for deep work. Sound alerts, desktop notifications and auto-start are optional, the countdown shows in the browser tab, and the timer keeps time correctly in a background tab. Tasks, settings and the tally are stored only in this browser.
- 25/5/15 classic cycle with long break every 4 sessions
- Presets and custom lengths from 1 to 180 minutes
- Task list with estimates and counted pomodoros
- Sound alert, desktop notifications and auto-start
- Countdown in the browser tab, accurate in background tabs
- Daily tally saved in your browser only
How to use the Pomodoro Timer
- Add a task and an estimate in pomodoros, and click it to make it the active task.
- Press Start. Work only on that task until the bell.
- Take the break when it starts. Stand up, look away from the screen, get water.
- After four focus sessions, take the long break. The Up next strip shows what is coming.
- Adjust lengths, sound, notifications and auto-start in Settings, or choose a preset.
Worked examples
Classic cycle
Input
Focus 25, short break 5, long break 15, long break every 4
Output
One cycle takes 130 minutes
4 x 25 minutes of focus, 3 short breaks of 5 minutes and one long break of 15 minutes.
Estimating a task
Input
Report needing about 70 minutes of focused work at 25-minute sessions
Output
3 pomodoros
70 / 25 = 2.8, rounded up to 3 sessions.
Deep work preset
Input
50 / 10 / 30, long break every 3
Output
One cycle takes 200 minutes
Longer sessions suit work that takes a while to get into, such as writing or programming, at the cost of fewer breaks.
Background and insight
Francesco Cirillo developed the technique as a university student in the late 1980s and named it after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used (pomodoro is Italian for tomato). In his description a pomodoro is 25 minutes of work on a single task, followed by a short break of 3 to 5 minutes; after four pomodoros you take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. A pomodoro is indivisible: if you are interrupted and abandon it, it does not count.
The method is as much about planning and recording as about the timer. Cirillo suggests estimating tasks in pomodoros in the morning, noting internal interruptions (the urge to check email) and external ones (a colleague's question) during the day, and comparing estimates with actual counts afterwards. Tasks bigger than about five to seven pomodoros should be split; small ones can be grouped into one session.
Browsers slow down timers in background tabs to save power, so a countdown that subtracts one second per tick can fall behind. This timer stores the time the phase ends and recalculates the remaining seconds from the clock on every update, so it is right whenever you look, and the end-of-phase sound plays as soon as the tab is allowed to run.
Common use cases
Studying
Break revision into timed sessions with regular breaks so attention holds up.
Writing and programming
Protect blocks of uninterrupted time for work that needs concentration.
Admin and email
Batch small tasks into one session instead of letting them spread across the day.
Estimating work
Compare estimated and actual pomodoros per task to get better at planning.
Working from home
Create a rhythm of work and breaks without a manager or office around you.
Tips and limitations
- Silence notifications on your phone and computer during a focus session. The timer only helps if the 25 minutes are really uninterrupted.
- If something pops into your head, write it down and return to the task. Deal with it in the break.
- Take the breaks. Skipping them feels productive for a session or two and then concentration drops.
- Allow the browser to play sound: click anywhere on the page or press Test sound once so autoplay rules do not block the bell.
- Desktop notifications need your permission and may be blocked by focus modes in your operating system.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Pomodoro long break?
In Cirillo's method the long break is 15 to 30 minutes and comes after every four pomodoros. This timer uses 15 minutes by default; set it to 30 or choose the 25/5/30 preset.
Why 25 minutes?
It is the length Cirillo settled on: long enough to make progress and short enough to keep full attention and to make starting easy. Many people use 50/10 for deep work; the principle is the same.
How many pomodoros can I do in a day?
An eight-hour day holds about three full cycles, or 12 pomodoros, once breaks are counted, but most people find 8 to 10 sessions of real focus is a strong day.
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. It calculates the time left from the moment the session ends, so it stays accurate in a background tab and rings when the session finishes.
What happens if I get interrupted?
Pause and resume for a short interruption. Strictly, a pomodoro abandoned for something else does not count; press Reset and start a new one when you return.
Where are my tasks saved?
In your browser's local storage on this device. Nothing is sent to a server, and clearing site data removes them.
Is there an in-depth guide to the Pomodoro Timer?
Yes. “The Pomodoro Technique: How to Use 25-Minute Focus Sessions” covers the background, how it works, common pitfalls and worked examples. Read the full guide.
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