Pomodoro Focus Timer

Focus. Break. Repeat.

Struggling to stay on task? The Pomodoro Timer helps you work smarter, not harder.

Break your day into focused 25-minute chunks, take a breather, and get more done with less burnout. It's simple, effective, and ready to boost your productivity.

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

A time management method that breaks work into 25-minute focused sessions ("pomodoros") separated by 5-minute breaks. After completing 4 pomodoros, take a longer 15-30 minute break. This rhythm maintains focus, prevents fatigue, and provides concrete productivity metrics.

The Core Cycle

1. Pomodoro (25 min): Work with complete focus on single task
2. Short Break (5 min): Rest, stretch, hydrate
3. Repeat 4 times: Complete 4 pomodoros back-to-back
4. Long Break (15-30 min): Recharge fully before next cycle

Why the Pomodoro Technique Works

Prevents Burnout

Regular breaks prevent mental fatigue. You can sustain focus for 25 minutes knowing rest is coming, unlike marathon work sessions that drain energy.

Leverages Time Urgency

25-minute deadline creates productive pressure. Parkinson's Law says "work expands to fill time available" - fixed pomodoros prevent task expansion.

Reduces Distractions

During a pomodoro, commit to ignoring non-urgent interruptions. Check email, messages, social media only during breaks.

Provides Metrics

Track productivity in concrete units (pomodoros completed). "I did 8 pomodoros today" is more meaningful than "I worked a lot."

Maintains Energy

Short breaks prevent the afternoon energy crash. Micro-rest periods refresh mind without losing momentum.

How to Use the Pomodoro Timer

Select Mode

Click mode buttons to switch between:

• Pomodoro: 25-minute work session (default)
• Short Break: 5-minute rest period
• Long Break: 15-minute extended break

Customize Durations (Optional)

Adjust default times in Settings section:

• Pomodoro: 15-60 minutes (25 recommended)
• Short Break: 3-10 minutes (5 recommended)
• Long Break: 10-30 minutes (15 recommended)

Start Timer

Click "START" to begin countdown. Timer shows minutes:seconds remaining. Title bar also displays countdown so you can track progress in other tabs.

Pause If Needed

Click "PAUSE" to temporarily stop timer. Ideally, avoid pausing during pomodoros to maintain focus flow. Use for genuine emergencies only.

Take Breaks

When alarm sounds, immediately switch to break mode - even if you're "in the zone." Breaks are essential, not optional.

Pomodoro Best Practices

One Task Per Pomodoro

Before starting, decide exactly what you'll work on. Don't switch tasks mid-pomodoro. If task finishes early, review/refine your work until timer expires.

No Multitasking

Close email, mute notifications, silence phone. The pomodoro is sacred - 25 minutes of single-tasking only.

Record Distractions

If urgent thought arises ("need to email Bob"), jot it on paper and return to task. Address during break.

Actually Take Breaks

Don't "power through" breaks to finish faster. Breaks restore mental energy and are scientifically essential to sustained productivity.

Adapt Durations

While 25-5-25-5-25-5-25-5-15 is standard, customize if needed:

• Deep work: 50-minute pomodoros, 10-minute breaks
• High distractibility: 15-minute pomodoros initially, build up
• Creative flow: 90-minute sessions, 20-minute breaks (ultradian rhythm)

Common Pomodoro Use Cases

Students & Studying

• Reading textbook chapters (1 chapter = 2-3 pomodoros)
• Solving problem sets (focused calculation time)
• Writing essays (outlining, drafting, editing phase-by-phase)
• Exam preparation (preventing cramming burnout)

Writers & Creators

• Writing blog posts, articles, books
• Editing and proofreading
• Content planning and brainstorming
• Video editing and creative production

Software Developers

• Coding features or bug fixes
• Code reviews
• Documentation writing
• Learning new technologies/frameworks

Office & Knowledge Workers

• Email processing (batch during pomodoros, not constantly)
• Report writing
• Data analysis
• Presentation creation

Break Activity Ideas

5-Minute Short Breaks

• Physical: Stand, stretch, walk around, do jumping jacks
• Visual Rest: Look out window (20-20-20 rule for eyes)
• Hydration: Drink water, make tea/coffee
• Micro-social: Quick chat with colleague (non-work)
• Breathing: Deep breathing exercises, brief meditation

15-30 Minute Long Breaks

• Meals: Lunch, healthy snack
• Exercise: Quick workout, yoga, walk outside
• Power Nap: 15-20 minutes (set timer to avoid oversleeping)
• Hobbies: Instrument practice, reading for pleasure
• Chores: Quick household tasks, errands

What NOT to Do During Breaks

• ❌ Social media scrolling (mental drain, not rest)
• ❌ Work email (defeats purpose of break)
• ❌ Stressful conversations/debates
• ❌ Sitting at desk staring at screen

Tracking Pomodoro Progress

Daily Pomodoro Log

Track completed pomodoros in notebook or app:

• Record task and number of pomodoros estimated vs. actual
• Helps improve time estimation skills
• Provides satisfaction seeing daily count
• Identifies time-consuming vs. quick tasks

Weekly Review

At week's end, count total pomodoros:

• 30-40 pomodoros/week = strong productivity
• Identify which days/times are most productive
• Spot patterns (e.g., Mondays always lower)

Estimation Practice

Before starting task, estimate pomodoros needed. Compare to actual. Over time, estimation accuracy improves dramatically.

Pomodoro for Different Work Styles

For Deep Work

Modified Schedule: 50-minute work, 10-minute breaks

Best For: Complex coding, writing, mathematical work requiring extended concentration

Caution: Longer sessions increase burnout risk - monitor energy carefully

For ADHD/High Distractibility

Modified Schedule: Start with 15-minute pomodoros, gradually increase

Strategy: Shorter intervals feel less daunting, build confidence and habit

Progression: 15min → 20min → 25min over weeks

For Creative Flow States

Flexible Approach: If deep in creative flow at 25-minute mark, extend to 45-50 minutes

Balance: Don't habitually skip breaks, but respect genuine flow states when they occur

Troubleshooting

Can't Focus for 25 Minutes

Problem: Constantly distracted, can't maintain focus.

Solutions:

• Start with 15-minute pomodoros, build stamina
• Remove physical distractions (phone away, close door)
• Use website blockers during pomodoros
• Practice "distraction lists" - write distractions down, address in breaks

Too Much Momentum to Stop for Breaks

Problem: "In the zone" and breaks feel disruptive.

Solution: Finish current thought/paragraph, then break. Or extend to 30-35 minutes max, but take slightly longer break (7-8 min). Don't skip breaks entirely - leads to afternoon crashes.

Tasks Don't Fit 25-Minute Blocks

Problem: Task takes 10 minutes or 2 hours, not exactly 25.

Solution: Small tasks - batch multiple into one pomodoro. Large tasks - break into sub-tasks, estimate pomodoros per sub-task.

Meetings Interrupt Pomodoro Schedule

Problem: Calendar full of meetings breaks pomodoro rhythm.

Solution: Block "focus time" on calendar (2-4 hour blocks). Schedule pomodoros around meetings. Use short pomodoros (15 min) in gaps between meetings.

Conclusion

The Pomodoro Technique transforms how you work by combining focused bursts with regular rest. Our timer makes it effortless to implement this proven productivity method. Set your work duration, click start, and experience the power of structured time management. Build sustainable work habits that prevent burnout while maximizing output!