XP TRACKERPomodoro focus timer
Work for 25 minutes, take 5 off, and after four rounds take a longer break. Press start, keep this tab open, and a soft bell tells you when each block ends. Every length is adjustable, so you can run 50/10 or 15/3 just as easily.
Focus sessions done: 0
Timer settings
How to use the timer
- Pick one taskWrite it down in a few words: "draft the intro", "chapter 4 questions", "clear the invoice backlog". One task per block.
- Press start and work until the bellIf a stray thought comes up ("I must reply to Sam"), jot it on paper and go straight back.
- Take the break for realStand up and step away from the screen. The timer starts the break on its own unless you untick that box.
- Every fourth block, rest longerThe long break is 15 minutes by default. Go for a short walk, eat, or do nothing at all.
The technique was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, named after his tomato-shaped kitchen timer. Our Pomodoro technique guide covers the method in more depth.
Choosing your lengths
| Setup | Focus / break | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 15 / 3 | Tasks you keep avoiding, low-energy days |
| Classic | 25 / 5, long break 15 | Studying, admin, most desk work |
| Deep | 50 / 10 | Writing, coding, design, once you are warmed up |
| Long haul | 90 / 20 | Big creative blocks, one or two a day at most |
Shorter blocks make starting easier. Longer blocks give you time to get properly absorbed, which Cal Newport calls deep work in his 2016 book of that name. Switching tasks also has a cost: Sophie Leroy's 2009 research on "attention residue" found that part of your attention stays on the previous task after you switch. One task per block keeps that small. For a fuller method, see deep work for beginners.
How the timer keeps time
The timer measures time from your device's clock, not by counting ticks, so it stays accurate if you switch tabs or your browser slows the page down. It only runs while a block is in progress and stops all work when paused. The bell is made in your browser with the Web Audio API. On phones, locking the screen can pause web pages, so keep the screen on. The page asks your browser to keep it awake where that is supported.
Try it now
Write down the one task you have been putting off, press start, and give it a single 25-minute block. If 25 feels like too much, set 15.
Questions people ask
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
A time-management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. You pick one task, work on it for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and after four rounds take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. The name comes from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used.
Is 25 minutes the best length?
It is a starting point, not a rule. Many people prefer 50 minutes on and 10 off for deep work, or 15 and 3 when a task feels hard to start. Try a few lengths for a week each and keep the one you actually finish.
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. It keeps time from your device clock, so it stays accurate in a background tab and the bell plays when a block ends. On phones, locking the screen can pause web pages, so keep the screen on; the timer asks the browser to keep it awake where that is supported.
What should I do during the breaks?
Get away from the task and, ideally, from screens: stand up, drink water, look out of a window, walk to another room. Checking messages during a break tends to pull your attention back in when you return.
Is there sound, and can I turn it off?
There is a soft bell made in your browser, with no audio files. Untick the sound box to turn it off. You may need to press start once before your browser allows sound.
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