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Pomodoro timer: 25-minute focus sessions with breaks
A free online Pomodoro timer: 25 minutes of focus, 5-minute breaks and a longer break after four rounds. Custom lengths, soft bells, no sign-up.
Pomodoro timer
Round 1 of 4. Keep this page open for the bell.
The short answer
The Pomodoro Technique means working on one task for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. In a study of university students, fixed breaks like these went with less fatigue and better concentration than taking breaks whenever they felt like it.
How to use the Pomodoro Technique
- Pick one task. Write it in the box so you know what this round is for.
- Focus for one round. If a distraction pops up, jot it on paper and return to the task.
- Take the break when the bell rings. Stand up, drink water, look away from the screen.
- After four rounds, take a long break. 15 to 30 minutes, ideally away from your desk.
Which Pomodoro length should you use?
| Preset | Best for | Rounds per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 25 / 5 (classic) | Hard-to-start tasks, reading, homework, admin | 2 |
| 50 / 10 | Deep work, writing, coding, problem sets once you are warmed up | 1 |
| 15 / 3 | Low energy days, younger students, restarting after a break | 3 |
| Custom | Class or exam lengths, or fitting a gap in your day | Depends |
What does the research say about breaks?
In a study of 87 university students, those who took fixed breaks (for example 6 minutes after every 24 minutes of study) reported less fatigue and more concentration and motivation than students who chose their own breaks, and they finished similar work in less time. A meta-analysis of short breaks found small gains in energy and small drops in fatigue, while longer breaks helped more after demanding work. The lesson: decide your breaks in advance, and take a longer one after a few rounds.
Make focused study a habit
A timer helps you start; a routine helps you come back tomorrow. Build a week of sessions with the study schedule maker, learn how to focus while studying and how long to study without a break, or start the 30-day study habit plan.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Pomodoro?
The classic Pomodoro is 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, with a longer 15 to 30-minute break after four rounds. Many people use 50 minutes of work and 10 minutes of break for deeper tasks.
Is 25 minutes the best length?
Not for everyone. Use 25 minutes when a task feels hard to start, and longer blocks such as 50 minutes once you are in flow. What matters most is deciding the break in advance and actually taking it.
What should I do during a Pomodoro break?
Stand up, look away from the screen, drink water or walk for a few minutes. Avoid starting a feed or a video you will not want to stop, which turns a 5-minute break into 20.
Does the Pomodoro Technique work for studying?
It helps many students start and keep going. In one study, students who took fixed 6-minute breaks after 24 minutes of study reported less fatigue and more motivation than students who chose their own breaks, and finished similar work in less time.
Will the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. The countdown is based on the clock, so it stays accurate in the background, and the tab title shows the time left. Keep the page open so the bell can play.
Sources and evidence
- Biwer et al. (2023): Comparing Pomodoro breaks and self-regulated breaks — Among 87 university students, fixed breaks (including 24 minutes of study and 6 minutes of break) went with less fatigue and more concentration and motivation than self-timed breaks, with similar task completion in less time.
- Albulescu et al. (2022): Give me a break! A meta-analysis of micro-breaks — Across 22 samples (N = 2,335), breaks of up to 10 minutes gave small boosts to vigor and small reductions in fatigue; the effect on overall performance was not significant, and longer breaks helped performance more.