Pomodoro timer

What is a Pomodoro timer?

A Pomodoro timer is a simple way of splitting your work into short, focused sessions with breaks in between. Traditionally you work for 25 minutes, take a five minute break, and then go again. Each focus session is called a pomodoro.

Having a clear start and finish makes work feel much more manageable. You only have to focus until the timer rings, rather than somehow finding the motivation to get through an entire afternoon in one go.

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. While at university, he was struggling to focus on his work, so he set a tomato-shaped kitchen timer for a short stretch and kept going until it rang. Pomodoro is Italian for tomato, which is where the technique gets its name.

The basic idea is simple: choose one task, work on it for a set amount of time, take a break, and repeat. You only need a timer and a bit of discipline.

How to use this Pomodoro timer

1. Pick one task. Just one. If it is too large to finish in a few sessions, break it down into something smaller first.
2. Add it to the task list. This gives you something clear to work towards and saves you deciding what to do once the timer has started.
3. Start the timer. Work on your chosen task until it rings. Try to ignore messages, emails, and anything else that can wait.
4. Write down any distractions. If you remember something halfway through, add a quick note and come back to it during the break.
5. Take a short break. Around five minutes is a good place to start. Stand up, get a drink, or just look away from the screen for a bit.
6. Take a longer break after four pomodoros. Give yourself somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes, then start the cycle again.

That is the whole method. It is easy to understand and easy to get started.

Why does the Pomodoro Technique work?

• It makes starting easier. Committing to 25 minutes feels a lot more achievable than committing to finishing an entire task.
• There is always a break coming. Knowing you can stop when the timer rings makes it easier to leave your phone alone and keep going.
• Distractions have somewhere to go. Write them down and deal with them later. Most things can wait another 20 minutes.
• Your estimates get better. If a task takes six pomodoros instead of the two you expected, you can see that clearly and make a better estimate next time.
• You can see the finish line. A countdown gives each session a clear end, even when the task itself is going to take a while.

How long should a Pomodoro be?

The traditional pattern is 25 minutes of focus, a five minute short break, and a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes after four sessions. That is a good place to start, but feel free to change it to suit the way you work.

For work that takes a while to get into, you might find 50 minutes of focus followed by a 10 minute break works better. If you are struggling to get started, try 15 minutes. A shorter session you actually start is still useful.

You can change all three timer lengths in the settings, along with the sounds that play at the end of focus sessions and breaks.

What this timer includes

• Custom focus, short break, and long break timers that move through the cycle automatically.
• A task list for keeping track of what you are working on, with completed tasks kept separately. You can hide it if you already use something else.
• A choice of sounds for the end of focus sessions and breaks.
• Reports and charts showing how productive you have been, where your focus time went, and which tasks you focused on. You can also export your data as a CSV file.
• Projects for keeping the time and tasks from different bits of work separate.
• A responsive timer that works in modern desktop and mobile browsers, with no app to install.

Pomodoro timer questions

Do I have to use 25 minutes?

No. It is the traditional length and a sensible starting point, but you can use whatever interval helps you focus. Try a few different lengths and see what works for you.

What should I do if I get interrupted?

If it can wait, write it down and carry on until the timer rings. If you genuinely need to step away, pause the timer or end the pomodoro and start a fresh one when you come back.

Should I skip the break if I am in flow?

Sometimes you will get into a flow and want to carry on, which is fine now and then. Try not to make a habit of skipping every break though, and always take the longer one. The breaks are what make the technique sustainable.

Does the timer work on a phone?

Yes. It runs in any modern mobile browser and the layout adjusts to fit smaller screens.

Do I need an account?

No. You can start a focus session straight away. You only need an account if you want your history and settings to follow you between devices or you want access to the reports and charts.

Is the Pomodoro Technique backed by research?

There is nothing particularly scientific about working for exactly 25 minutes and resting for five. The useful parts are giving your work a clear deadline and taking regular breaks before you get tired. Treat the usual timings as a starting point and adjust them as you go.