Pomodoro Timer: 25-Minute Focus Timer With Breaks
This free Pomodoro timer helps you focus in short, timed bursts. Work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and after four rounds enjoy a longer break. Change the times to suit you, let rounds start automatically, and get a sound when each session ends. It keeps time accurately even in a background tab.
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Quick answer: Press Start and focus on one task until the timer rings after 25 minutes. Take a 5-minute break, then start the next round. After four focus rounds, take a 15 to 30 minute break. Press the Space bar to pause and resume.
How to use the Pomodoro timer
- Pick one task and remove distractions: silence your phone and close extra tabs.
- Press Start. The time left also shows in your browser tab, so you can switch to your work.
- When the alert sounds, take a short break. With “Start the next session automatically” ticked, the break starts on its own.
- Every fourth break is a long one. The counters show how many focus sessions and minutes you have done today.
- Change the focus and break lengths in the settings. Popular alternatives are 50/10 and 90/20.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. He named it after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used as a student (“pomodoro” is Italian for tomato). Working in fixed, short sprints makes big tasks feel manageable, cuts procrastination and builds in regular rest, so you can concentrate for longer without burning out.
Classic Pomodoro schedule
| Step | Length |
|---|---|
| Focus session 1 | 25 minutes |
| Short break | 5 minutes |
| Focus sessions 2 and 3, each followed by a short break | 25 + 5 minutes each |
| Focus session 4 | 25 minutes |
| Long break | 15 to 30 minutes |
One full cycle takes about two and a quarter hours and gives you 100 minutes of deep work.
Tips for better focus sessions
- Write down distractions: if a thought pops up, note it and come back to it on your break.
- Make breaks real breaks: move, stretch, look away from the screen or get a drink, rather than checking social media.
- Group small jobs: answer emails or messages together in one session.
- Plan your day in Pomodoros: estimating tasks in 25-minute blocks makes planning easier.
Need a general timer instead? Use the stopwatch and countdown timer. Plan rest with the sleep calculator, or count down to a deadline with the countdown timer.
FAQ
Does the timer keep running in another tab?
Yes. It uses the real clock, so it stays accurate even when the tab is in the background. Keep the tab open for the sound alert.
Is 25 minutes the best length?
It is a good starting point. Many people prefer 45 or 50 minutes for deep work once they are used to the method.
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