Pomodoro Timer

The Pomodoro technique splits work into short, focused blocks with breaks between them. The classic pattern is 25 minutes of focus, a 5-minute break, and a longer break after four rounds. This timer runs that cycle, lets you change every length, and plays a short sound at the end of each session.

How to use it

1. Set your focus and break lengths, or keep the defaults.
2. Press Start.
3. Work until the timer rings, then rest.
4. After several rounds, enjoy the longer break.

When it helps

• Studying without drifting off.
• Working through a to-do list in short bursts.
• Remembering to rest your eyes.
• Building a work rhythm.

Good to know

• Keep the tab open so the alert can sound.
• Skip moves to the next phase early if you finish ahead.
• Jot down distractions during a focus block and deal with them in the break.

The technique in brief

Francesco Cirillo created the Pomodoro technique in the late 1980s, naming it after a tomato-shaped kitchen timer. You work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and after four rounds take a longer rest of 15 to 30 minutes.

The idea is to make starting easy, since you only commit to 25 minutes, and to give your mind regular breaks before it tires.

Worked example: a study session

You have a chapter to read and three exercises. Set focus to 25 and breaks to 5. In round one, read the first half of the chapter. Round two, finish it. Round three, do the first exercise, and so on. After the fourth round, take the longer break and walk around.

If the chapter takes longer than expected, that's useful information too. Count how many rounds each task takes and use it to plan future sessions.

Adapting it to you

25 minutes suits many people, but others prefer 50 minutes of focus and 10 of rest, or 15 and 3 for work that needs lots of switching. Try different lengths for a week each and notice when your attention drifts.

During breaks, step away from screens, stretch, drink water or look out of a window. Checking social media tends to refresh you less than movement does.

Common questions about focus sessions

Many people ask what to do if they are interrupted. The traditional advice is to note the interruption, deal with it afterwards, and restart the session if you were away for long. For unavoidable interruptions, such as a colleague with an urgent question, pause the timer and resume afterwards.

Another question is whether short breaks should include phones. Most people find that scrolling doesn't restore attention as well as standing up, stretching or looking at something far away for a minute.

Questions