Pomodoro Timer

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method built around short, focused work sessions. You work for a set stretch of time, traditionally 25 minutes, called "a pomodoro," then take a short break before starting the next one. After four pomodoros, you take a longer break. The name comes from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer ("pomodoro" is Italian for tomato) its creator used to time his study sessions in the late 1980s.

The idea behind it is simple: long, open-ended work blocks invite distraction and procrastination, while a ticking timer creates a small sense of urgency that makes it easier to start and easier to stay put. Knowing a break is coming also makes the current push feel manageable, even when the task ahead is a big one.

How to use this Pomodoro timer

Pick the Pomodoro tab and hit Start to begin a focus session. When the timer runs out, you'll hear a sound and get a browser notification, and the timer automatically switches to a Short Break. Every fourth pomodoro is followed by a Long Break instead, so you get real recovery time after a longer stretch of work. Use the task list below the timer to jot down what you're working on this session, and check items off as you finish them. Everything is saved in your browser, so it's still there next time you visit.

What's a good pomodoro length?

25 minutes of focus with a 5-minute short break and a 15-minute long break is the classic split, and it works well for most people. But there's nothing magic about those numbers. If 25 minutes feels too short for the work you're doing, try 45 or 50 with a longer break to match. Open Settings to change any of the three durations, turn the alert sound on or off, or enable auto-start so the next interval begins the moment the last one ends.

What are the benefits of the Pomodoro Technique?

Working in timed bursts makes procrastination easier to overcome, because committing to "one pomodoro" feels a lot less daunting than committing to "finish the whole thing." Regular breaks also help prevent the mental fatigue that builds up during long, uninterrupted work, so your focus holds up better over the course of a day. Many people also use it simply to get a feel for how long tasks actually take, since counting pomodoros turns vague effort into something concrete and measurable.