Free Pomodoro Focus Timer
The Pomodoro Technique breaks work into focused sessions — traditionally 25 minutes — separated by short breaks, with a longer break after every four sessions. This timer runs that cycle automatically: set your focus length, break lengths, and how many sessions come before a long break, then press Start and work until the timer tells you to stop.
How to Use It
Adjust the four fields above to match your preferred rhythm, or leave the classic 25/5/15 defaults. Press Start to begin a focus session. The timer automatically switches to a short break when the session ends, and to a long break after your set number of sessions. Use Skip Phase to jump ahead if you finish early, and Reset to start the whole cycle over.
The break isn't optional — stepping away, even for 5 minutes, is what makes the next focus session effective. Standing up, stretching, or looking away from your screen resets your attention far better than scrolling your phone.
Tips & Tricks
Start shorter if 25 minutes feels long. Try 15-minute sessions for the first few days and work up — consistency matters more than session length.
Batch similar tasks per session. Use one focus block for email, another for deep work — switching task types mid-session is what usually breaks concentration.
Track completed sessions. The "Completed" counter resets on reload, so jot down your daily total somewhere if you want a longer-term record.
Did you know? The technique is named after a tomato-shaped kitchen timer — "pomodoro" is Italian for tomato — which developer Francesco Cirillo used as a university student in the late 1980s to time his study sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why 25 minutes?
25 minutes is the traditional Pomodoro length because it's short enough to sustain full attention but long enough to make real progress on a task. You can freely adjust it to whatever suits your focus span.
What happens after a long break?
The cycle restarts from session one, so you get another full run of focus sessions before the next long break.
Does the timer keep running in a background tab?
Yes. It calculates remaining time from your device's clock, so it stays accurate even if you switch tabs while working.