What is Pomodoro Timer?

A timer based on the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of focused work, then a 5-minute break. After four rounds, you get a longer 15-minute break.

Focus and break lengths are adjustable, defaulting to the classic 25/5/15 minute structure with a longer break every four cycles. The timer uses an end-timestamp internally so it stays accurate even when the tab sits in the background. A three-tone chime and optional system notification mark each phase change, and a session counter tracks how many full Pomodoros you ship in a day.

How to use

1. Step 1 — Press Start to begin a 25-minute focus session. The timer counts down on screen.
2. Step 2 — When the session ends, take a 5-minute break. The timer switches automatically.
3. Step 3 — After completing 4 focus sessions, enjoy a longer 15-minute break before the next cycle.

When to use

• Writing a long report and noticing your attention drifts after about half an hour.
• Studying for an exam where retention drops without scheduled breaks.
• Coding alone and needing a structured cue to stretch and look away from the screen.

Result

Studying for an exam, you complete 4 Pomodoro cycles (100 minutes of focused study with 3 short breaks) then take a 15-minute walk before starting the next round.

FAQ

Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?

Yes. The clock is anchored to a future timestamp rather than a tick loop, so background tabs still finish on time. The display catches up the moment you focus the tab again.

Can I change the 25/5/15 minute defaults?

Yes — open the settings panel and set focus, short break, and long break to any number of minutes. Many writers prefer 50/10 for deep work; people new to the method often do better starting at 15/3 and lengthening from there.

Why three beeps at the end instead of one?

A single beep is easy to miss when headphones are on or someone is talking nearby. Three rising tones at 880, 1100, and 1320 Hz cut through ambient noise without sounding alarming.

How do system notifications work?

Enable them once and the browser permission prompt asks you to grant alerts for this site. After that, the tool only fires a notification when the tab is hidden, so you still see the visual change when the tab is up.

Is the Pomodoro Technique backed by research?

There is mixed evidence. Studies on time-boxed work agree that short scheduled breaks reduce fatigue, but the exact 25-minute number is more cultural than scientific. Treat it as a starting point and tune to your own attention span.

Related Tools