Pomodoro Timer

What is it?

The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The idea is simple: you work in focused, uninterrupted intervals — traditionally 25 minutes — followed by a short break of 5 minutes. After every four work intervals (called "pomodoros"), you take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. This rhythm trains your brain to focus on demand and prevents the mental fatigue that comes from long, unbroken work sessions. Our free online Pomodoro timer brings this technique to your browser with no installation, no account and no distractions. You can use the default 25/5/15 timing or customise all three intervals to fit your personal workflow. The timer shows a clear countdown, tracks how many pomodoros you have completed in the current session, and can send a desktop notification when each interval ends — even if you are working in another tab.

How to use it

1. Click "Start" to begin the first 25-minute focus session.
2. Work on a single task without switching until the timer rings.
3. When the work session ends, the timer automatically switches to a 5-minute short break.
4. After 4 completed pomodoros the timer offers a long break. Click "Start" to begin it.
5. To customise durations, click the settings icon and adjust the work, short break and long break lengths.
6. Allow browser notifications when prompted so you can hear the alert even in another tab.

Why use this tool

Procrastination and mental fatigue are two of the biggest obstacles to productive work. The Pomodoro Technique addresses both: the time limit creates a sense of urgency that makes starting easier, while mandatory breaks prevent the cognitive overload that sets in after an hour or more of continuous focus. Studies and decades of anecdotal evidence from students, developers, writers and knowledge workers worldwide show that working in timed sprints improves concentration, reduces the impact of interruptions (you note them and return after the pomodoro), and makes large tasks feel less overwhelming by breaking them into manageable chunks. Our Pomodoro timer is completely free, stores nothing about you, and has no premium tier or upsell. It works offline once the page has loaded, so a poor connection will not interrupt your focus. Unlike app-based timers, you do not need to install anything — bookmark the page and come back whenever you need to get work done.

Frequently asked questions