Pomodoro Timer: Free Online Focus Timer
Work in focused 25-minute sessions with short breaks in between, using the Pomodoro Technique. You can change the session and break lengths, turn on a sound or desktop alert, and track how many sessions you finish today. No sign-up and nothing to install.
Settings: times, sound and alerts
How to use this Pomodoro timer
- Write the one task you will work on, then press Start. The 25-minute focus session begins.
- Work only on that task until the timer rings. If something else comes to mind, note it down and come back to it later.
- When the session ends, the timer moves to a 5-minute break. Stand up, drink water or look away from the screen.
- After four focus sessions you get a longer 15-minute break. The dots under the timer show where you are in the cycle.
Press the Space key to start or pause when you are not typing in a box. The time left also shows in the browser tab, so you can see it while working in another tab.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, when he was a university student. He used a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato (pomodoro in Italian), which gave the method its name. Each focus session is called a “pomodoro”.
The classic method has five steps: choose a task, work on it for 25 minutes, take a short break of about 5 minutes, repeat, and take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes after four pomodoros. The idea is that a fixed, short block of time makes a big task feel easier to start, and regular breaks help you keep your attention through the day.
Which timer lengths should you choose?
| Setting | Focus / break | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | 25 / 5 min, long break 15 min | Most office work, studying and getting started on a task you are putting off. |
| Long focus | 50 / 10 min | Writing, coding, accounts or design work where you need time to get into the flow. |
| Deep work | 90 / 20 min | Experienced users doing one demanding task, such as exam revision or a long report. |
| Short sprints | 15 / 3 min | Days when focusing is hard, or for small chores such as emails and filing. |
There is no single right length. Start with 25 minutes for a few days, then adjust: if you are often interrupted before 25 minutes, try shorter sessions; if the bell always breaks your flow, try 50 minutes.
Tips to get more from each session
- Plan before you start. Write down what you want to finish today and estimate how many pomodoros each task needs.
- Keep your phone away. Put it on silent or in another room during focus sessions and check it in the break.
- Protect the pomodoro. If someone interrupts you, tell them you will get back to them in a few minutes, then note it down.
- Really take the break. A break spent scrolling social media rarely feels like rest. Move, stretch or rest your eyes instead.
- Review at the end of the day. The “sessions today” count shows how much focused time you actually put in.
Related tools
Online Stopwatch · Task Prioritizer · Daily Goal Tracker · Time Duration Calculator · Typing Speed Test
Frequently asked questions
What is a Pomodoro timer?
A Pomodoro timer is a focus timer that alternates work sessions and breaks: usually 25 minutes of work, then a 5-minute break, and a longer break after every four sessions.
Why 25 minutes?
Twenty-five minutes is the length Francesco Cirillo chose for the original method. It is long enough to make real progress and short enough that starting does not feel hard. You can change it in the settings.
Will the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. The timer is based on the clock time when it should end, so it stays correct even when the tab is in the background. Keep the page open; closing the tab stops the timer.
Why did I not hear the alarm?
Browsers allow sound only after you have clicked on the page, so press Start yourself at least once. Also check that your device is not muted. Use “Test sound” in the settings to check.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes, the timer works in mobile browsers. Phones may pause pages when the screen locks, but the time left is corrected as soon as you return to the page.
Is my data saved or shared?
No account is needed. Your settings and today’s session count are saved only in your own browser, and nothing is sent to our server.
Can I use it for studying?
Yes. Many students use 25/5 or 50/10 sessions for revision. Set one topic per pomodoro and use the breaks to rest, not to start another task.
About this tool. The timer follows the steps of the Pomodoro Technique as described by its creator, Francesco Cirillo. It counts down from the end time on your device clock, so it stays accurate when the tab is in the background. Before publishing, we tested the start, pause, skip, reset and automatic switching between sessions on desktop and mobile screen sizes.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Pomodoro® and Pomodoro Technique® are trademarks of Francesco Cirillo; ToolsRiver is not affiliated with him.