Pomodoro Timer
Classic 25/5/15 focus timer with circular countdown, audio alerts, and session stats.
What Is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It divides work into focused 25-minute intervals — called Pomodoros — separated by short 5-minute breaks. After completing four Pomodoros, you take a longer 15-minute break. The method creates a structured rhythm that reduces procrastination, improves concentration, and gives you a clear sense of how much time tasks actually take.
How to Use This Pomodoro Timer
- Choose Classic or Custom mode — Classic uses the standard 25/5/15 intervals. Custom lets you set your own durations.
- Press Start — the circular ring counts down your work session. The progress ring turns blue for short breaks and purple for long breaks.
- Work until the timer ends — the timer plays an audio beep and automatically advances to the next phase.
- Track your progress — the dots below the timer show completed Pomodoros in the current cycle. The Stats tab shows your daily and all-time totals.
Why Pomodoro Works
- Urgency without anxiety — knowing you only need to focus for 25 minutes makes starting easier than facing an open-ended work block
- Built-in rest — regular short breaks prevent mental fatigue and maintain consistent performance across long work sessions
- Commitment device — committing to one Pomodoro at a time reduces context-switching and distraction
- Progress visibility — counting completed Pomodoros gives a concrete measure of effort independent of output
Customising Your Intervals
The 25/5/15 classic intervals work well for knowledge work and coding tasks. However, many practitioners find value in adjusting them. Longer sessions (45-50 minutes) suit deep work tasks like writing or complex problem solving. Shorter sessions (15 minutes) can help with tasks that require high energy but limited stamina — like reviewing code or answering emails. Use the Custom tab to experiment and find your optimal rhythm.
The Pomodoro Cycle and Long Breaks
The long break after four Pomodoros is a critical component that many digital timers miss. In the classic technique, the long break is for proper rest — stand up, stretch, step away from the screen, have a drink. After the break you begin a fresh cycle. This tool tracks your position in the cycle and automatically switches to the correct break type. The Pomodoro dots below the timer visualise your progress through the cycle.
Combining Pomodoro with Other Methods
Pomodoro pairs well with task lists. Before starting, write down the tasks you want to complete and estimate how many Pomodoros each will take. After each session, tick off your progress. This gives you both a time structure (Pomodoro) and a task structure (your list). The combination is particularly effective for software developers who need to balance deep coding work with meetings, code reviews, and communication tasks. Pair this timer with our Typing Speed Test to warm up before a writing-heavy Pomodoro session.
Notifications and Browser Permissions
The audio notification uses the Web Audio API to generate a short beep — no sound files needed. The timer works entirely offline. If you're in a quiet environment, check your system volume. The timer does not use browser Notification API by default (no permission required). Keep the tab visible or use a pinned tab to prevent the timer from being suspended by browsers that throttle background tabs.