Pomodoro Timer
Work in focused 25-minute blocks with short breaks between them. The countdown keeps running in your browser tab title, so you can switch away and still see the time left.
How the Pomodoro Technique Works
- Pick one task and write it in the box — one task per block, not three.
- Work for 25 minutes with no interruptions. No phone, no inbox, no “quick check”.
- Take a 5 minute break. Stand up and look away from the screen.
- After 4 rounds, take a longer 15–30 minute break to properly reset.
The method was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used as a student. Its power is not the exact number of minutes — it is that a ticking timer makes starting easy and makes interruptions feel expensive.
Why 25 Minutes?
Twenty-five minutes is long enough to get properly into a task but short enough that starting feels easy — and starting is where most procrastination actually lives. Committing to “25 minutes on this one thing” is far less daunting than “finish the report”.
The number is not sacred. Deep creative or technical work often flows better in 50-minute blocks with 10-minute breaks, while 15 minutes can suit revision or admin. Adjust the settings and keep whatever you will actually repeat.
Getting More Out of Each Block
- Decide the task before you start. Choosing what to do should never eat into the block.
- Write down distractions instead of chasing them. Keep a scrap list and deal with it in the break.
- Actually take the break. Skipping breaks is why people burn out on this method by day three.
- Move during breaks. Stand, stretch, get water — do not just switch to scrolling, which rests nothing.
- Track your count. Knowing a report takes six blocks makes your next estimate far more realistic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. The countdown is based on the real clock rather than tick counting, so it stays accurate even if the browser throttles a background tab. The remaining time also appears in the tab title.
Will it work if I close the tab?
No. Closing the tab ends the session, and your counts reset. Keep the tab open in the background while you work.
Why can I not hear the chime?
Browsers block audio until you interact with the page, so the sound works from the moment you press Start. Check the chime option is ticked and your device is not muted.
Can I change the lengths?
Yes. Focus, short break, long break and the number of rounds are all adjustable. Changes apply to the next block, so an in-progress countdown is never disrupted.
Is anything tracked or uploaded?
No. The timer runs entirely in your browser, with no account and no data leaving your device.
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