Pomodoro Timer Online Free
Focus for 25 minutes, rest for 5. The Pomodoro Technique in your browser — with sound alerts, session tracking, and a task list. Free, no account needed.
0 sessions completed today
Task List
Add a task to stay focused — it will persist between sessions.
How to Use the Pomodoro Timer
- 1Add the task you are about to work on in the Task List below the timer. This anchors your intention and gives you something concrete to check off at the end of the session.
- 2Select a mode if needed — Focus for a work session, Short Break or Long Break if you are starting from a break. The default is Focus (25 minutes).
- 3Click Start. Eliminate distractions — close unrelated tabs, silence your phone, put on headphones if it helps. Work on only the chosen task until the alarm sounds.
- 4When the alarm sounds, take your break. Step away from the screen — stretch, make a drink, rest your eyes. Return when the break timer ends.
- 5After every four focus sessions, take a long break (15 minutes by default). Use this to review what you accomplished, update your task list, and prepare for the next cycle.
Why the Pomodoro Method Works
The core insight of the Pomodoro Technique is that urgency and structure help the brain commit to a task. Knowing you only need to focus for 25 minutes — not hours — lowers the activation energy to start. The fixed end point also counteracts perfectionism: you work on the task until the timer stops, not until it is perfect.
The mandatory breaks serve a different purpose: they prevent the kind of shallow, fatigued work that accumulates after long uninterrupted sessions. Research on cognitive performance consistently shows that brief rest periods improve retention, reduce errors, and maintain motivation over the course of a full work day. Skipping breaks feels productive but typically costs more time through slower, lower-quality output in later sessions.
How to Get the Most Out of Each Session
One Task Per Session
Before starting, commit to a single task or sub-task. Switching mid-session resets cognitive momentum and undermines the method's core benefit.
Protect the Break
A short break is not optional. Resist the temptation to keep working when momentum is high — the break is when consolidation and recovery happen, not wasted time.
Log Interruptions
When a thought or distraction appears, write it down quickly and return to the task. Review the list during your break, not during the session.
Adjust Durations to Your Work
Creative deep work may benefit from 50-minute sessions; quick admin tasks work well in 15 minutes. Experiment until the cycle fits the rhythm of your day.
Plan Before You Start
Spend 5 minutes before your first session deciding which tasks to tackle and estimating how many pomodoros each needs. Planning prevents mid-session decision paralysis.
End With a Review
During the long break after four sessions, spend 2 minutes reviewing what you completed and what remains. This closes open loops and makes the next cycle easier to start.
Productivity Apps Worth Pairing With This Timer
Partner links — these apps complement the Pomodoro method and have free tiers.
Combine notes, tasks, databases, and wikis in one place. Pair with the Pomodoro method to build a structured daily planning system.
Try it →Clean, fast task management with projects, priorities, and recurring tasks. Add your session tasks here and track progress across days.
Try it →Music channels designed to extend focused attention. Plays in the background while the Pomodoro timer runs — a popular combination for deep work.
Try it →Plant a virtual tree that grows during your focus session and dies if you leave the app. Adds a visual and gamified layer to your Pomodoro practice.
Try it →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. You work in focused 25-minute sessions (called "pomodoros"), separated by 5-minute short breaks. After completing four consecutive work sessions, you take a longer 15–30-minute break. The method is named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used as a student.
Why 25 minutes specifically?
Cirillo chose 25 minutes after experimenting with different durations and finding it long enough to make meaningful progress on a task but short enough to maintain full concentration. Neuroscience research broadly supports this — sustained attention typically peaks in the 20–45-minute range before performance begins to decline. That said, the technique works best when you adjust the duration to suit your personal focus rhythm.
Can I change the timer durations?
Yes. Click the settings icon (⚙) to open the duration panel. You can set the focus session to any value between 1 and 90 minutes, the short break to 1–90 minutes, and the long break similarly. Changes take effect immediately when the timer is not running. Some people prefer 50/10 cycles for deeper work, or 15/3 for tasks requiring bursts of energy.
How does the session counter work?
The counter tracks completed focus sessions (not breaks) for the current calendar day. After every four focus sessions, the next break automatically becomes a long break — this is the standard Pomodoro cycle. The four dots on the timer face show your progress through the current cycle of four. The counter resets to zero at midnight, but previous days' sessions are not stored.
What happens after 4 focus sessions?
After four consecutive focus sessions the timer automatically switches to a long break. The four-dot indicator resets for the next cycle. A long break (15 minutes by default) lets your brain consolidate what you have worked on and recover before the next cycle of four sessions begins. You can change the long break duration in the settings.
Does the timer keep running if I switch browser tabs?
Yes. The timer uses a timestamp-based approach: it records the exact moment each session is due to end rather than counting down tick by tick. This means the countdown stays accurate even if the tab is hidden, the browser throttles background timers, or your computer goes to sleep briefly. When you return to the tab, the display catches up instantly.
Will the sound alert work on my phone?
Sound requires your device volume to be on and the browser tab to be active (or recently active). Mobile browsers often suspend audio in background tabs. For phone use, keep the tab open and your screen on during work sessions. The sound is generated using the Web Audio API — no external files or network access needed.
Are my tasks and sessions saved?
Yes. Both your task list and today's session count are saved in your browser's localStorage. They persist across page refreshes and browser restarts on the same device. Tasks remain until you mark them done and delete them. Sessions reset automatically at the start of each new calendar day.