What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It uses a timer to break work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes, separated by short 5-minute breaks. After four work sessions (called 'pomodoros'), you take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. The technique helps maintain focus and prevents burnout.

Why is it called Pomodoro?

'Pomodoro' is the Italian word for tomato. Francesco Cirillo named the technique after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used as a university student to track his work intervals. The tomato timer became the symbol of the technique.

Can I change the work and break durations?

Yes. While the classic Pomodoro uses 25-minute work sessions and 5-minute breaks, this timer lets you customise both durations. Common alternatives include 50/10 (for deep focus work), 15/3 (for quick tasks), and 45/15 (for creative work). Experiment to find what works best for you.

How many Pomodoros should I do per day?

Most practitioners aim for 8 to 12 pomodoros per day, which equates to approximately 3 to 5 hours of focused work. This may seem low, but the quality of focused work during a pomodoro is significantly higher than unfocused work. Track your daily count to identify your personal productive capacity.

What should I do during break time?

During short breaks (5 minutes), step away from your screen, stretch, get water, or look out a window. Avoid checking email or social media as these can extend your break and reduce focus. During long breaks (15 to 30 minutes), take a walk, have a snack, or do a non-work activity that refreshes your mind.

Pomodoro Timer | Free Online Focus Timer

Pomodoro Timer

Work in focused 25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks using the Pomodoro Technique. An audio alert plays at the end of each session. After four work sessions, take a longer 15-minute break. Track your completed pomodoros and total focus time throughout the day. Durations are fully configurable below.

The Pomodoro Technique

Developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, the Pomodoro Technique structures your work into focused intervals (traditionally 25 minutes) called "pomodoros," separated by short breaks. After every four pomodoros, you take a longer break. The method combats procrastination, reduces mental fatigue, and helps you maintain sustained focus throughout the day.

How to Use

Choose a task to work on

Start the timer (25 minutes by default)

Work on the task with full focus until the alarm sounds

Take a short break (5 minutes)

After four work sessions, take a longer break (15 minutes)

Repeat. Track your completed pomodoros to measure productivity.

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The Pomodoro Technique

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