How to use the Pomodoro timer
- Write down what you are going to work on in Tasks (optional, but it helps you stay on track).
- Click Start. The first block is 25 minutes of focus: work on one thing only, without checking your phone or email.
- When the chime rings, take the short break of 5 minutes. The timer starts it for you.
- After the break, click Start again for the next focus block. Every 4 pomodoros you get a long break of 15 minutes.
The dots under the time show where you are in the cycle. Skip moves on to the next phase without counting the pomodoro, and Reset puts the current phase back to the beginning.
What the Pomodoro technique is
The Pomodoro technique was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, when he was a university student. He used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer (pomodoro is Italian for tomato) to study in short, timed blocks. The idea is simple:
- choose one task;
- work on it for 25 minutes, without interruptions;
- take a 5-minute break;
- every four blocks, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.
It works because a short block with a clear end is much easier to start than an open afternoon of work. Breaks are part of the method, not a reward: they keep your attention fresh, and knowing the next break is coming makes it easier to ignore distractions in the meantime.
Tips to get more out of it
- Protect the block. If something comes up during a pomodoro, write it in the task list and get back to work. Deal with it at the break.
- Really rest during breaks. Stand up, drink water, look out the window. Scrolling social media rarely feels like a break.
- Split big tasks. If a task takes more than 5 pomodoros, break it into smaller ones. If it takes less than one, group it with other small tasks.
- Use the count to plan. The tomato next to each task shows how many pomodoros it took. After a few days you’ll have a good idea of how long things really take.
- Adjust the times. 25/5 is the classic, but many people prefer 50 minutes of focus and 10 of break for deep work, or 15/3 for tasks they keep putting off. Change it in Settings.
Settings
- Times: focus, short break and long break, in minutes, and after how many pomodoros the long break comes.
- Start breaks automatically: on by default, so the break begins when focus ends. You can also make focus blocks start on their own.
- Sound: a short chime at the end of each block (falling notes at the end of focus, rising notes at the end of a break). There is also an optional ticking clock during focus, which some people find helps them concentrate.
- Desktop notification: shows a notice when a block ends while you are in another tab or program.
Settings, tasks and the day’s count are saved in your browser, so they are still there when you come back.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Space: start or pause.
- R: reset the current phase.
- S: skip to the next phase.
Frequently asked questions
Does it keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. The time is taken from the device clock and the chime is scheduled as soon as the block starts, so it rings on time even with another tab open. The remaining time also shows in the tab title.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. While the timer runs, the screen stays on. With the screen locked, the phone may pause the browser and the sound may not play, so leave the page open.
What happens if I close or reload the page?
The phase you were in and the time left are saved. When you open the page again, the block is paused at the same point: click Continue to resume.
Where are my tasks stored?
Only in this browser, on this device. Nothing is sent to a server and there is no account. Clearing the browser data also clears the tasks and the count.
Can I use it in class or in a study group?
Yes. Click Full screen to show just the time on a projector or TV, so everyone follows the same focus and break blocks.