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 studying with a tomato-shaped kitchen timer. Pomodoro is Italian for tomato.
The idea is simple: focus on one task for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. That's one pomodoro. After four of them, take a longer 15–30 minute break. A fixed end point makes it easier to start, and a scheduled break helps you rest before you burn out.
How to use this timer
- Press Start to begin a 25-minute focus session. The space bar also starts and pauses.
- When focus time ends, an alarm sounds and a short break begins automatically.
- After four focus sessions you get a long break. The dots under the timer show where you are in the cycle.
- Every completed session is added to Focus minutes today and the 7-day chart.
Open Settings to change session lengths, the long-break interval, the alarm sound and auto-start. Your settings are remembered for next time.
Tips for better focus
- Start with 25/5. When 25 minutes starts to feel short, try 50/10.
- Write down one task. "Finish 20 practice problems in chapter 3" beats "study math".
- Leave your phone during breaks. Stand up, stretch or get water. One short video can easily turn a 5-minute break into 20.
- Set a daily goal in pomodoros instead of hours. It's easier to track and easier to hit.
Frequently asked questions
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs or minimize the window?
Yes. Remaining time is calculated from the real end time, so it stays accurate in a background tab, and the tab title shows the time left. Closing the tab stops the timer.
Can I change the 25-minute focus length?
Yes. In Settings you can set focus from 1 to 180 minutes and adjust short breaks, long breaks and how often long breaks happen.
Where is my focus history saved?
Only in your browser's local storage. Nothing is sent to a server, so history doesn't sync across devices and is removed if you clear your browser's site data.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes, it works in any modern mobile or tablet browser. Where supported, the screen stays on while the timer runs.
I can't hear the alarm.
Check that your device isn't on silent and press Test sound in Settings. Some browsers block audio until you interact with the page, so start the timer with a tap or click.