How to use the Pomodoro timer
The idea is simple: focus for a while, rest a little and return. Repeat.
- 1Press “Start” and work only on this stretch.
- 2If you need to stop, pause the clock. If you want to restart the stretch, reset it.
- 3After four focus sessions, take a long break.
Quick guide
You do not have to finish everything. Just this stretch.
Sometimes “I will work all afternoon” sounds much worse than “I will focus for 25 minutes.” That is the idea behind Pomodoro: split work into focus stretches separated by breaks. We start with 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of short break and 15 minutes of long break, but those numbers are not carved in stone. You can change them.
Focus. Rest. Repeat.
You start with a focus session. When it is complete, a short break comes next. Do another session, take another break and continue until you complete four. Then the long break arrives. There is not much more mystery to it.
You can pause and resume whenever you need. If you press “Restart this stretch,” the clock returns to its full duration, but sessions you already completed are not erased. A pause does not have to throw away the whole cycle.
25 minutes is not a law of nature
25 minutes of focus, 5 minutes of short break and 15 minutes of long break is a well-known setup. But if you were only getting into the rhythm at 25 minutes, try more. If an hour feels endless, use less. The technique should help you work, not become another rule to obey.
You also decide what happens when each stretch ends. With automatic start enabled, the next one begins without asking. Leave it off and the timer waits. You decide when to return.
Your productivity is your business
The timer runs directly in your browser. We do not need to send a server how long you worked, rested or paused the clock.
Frequently asked questions
What is the usual Pomodoro duration?
A well-known setup uses 25 minutes of focus, 5 minutes of short break and 15 minutes of long break. It is a starting point, not a contract. Adjust all three to a duration that works for you.
When does the long break happen?
After completing four focus sessions. If you restart a session or skip a stretch, that does not count as a completed focus session. The long break has to be earned a little.
Does the timer keep counting if I change tabs?
Yes. Go to the tab where you are actually working. When you return, the clock is updated using the real time that passed.