Pomodoro
Short Break
Long Break
25:00
100% Free • No Signup Required
Pomodoro Timer Online
Science-backed focus sessions for deep work. Customizable intervals, session tracking, and audio notifications, free, no signup required.
New to the technique? Our Beginner's Guide to the Pomodoro Technique walks you through your first session, step by step.
Science-Backed
Customizable
Free Forever
1
Features
A simple, powerful focus timer built for deep work, studying, and any task that needs real concentration
Customizable Presets
Traditional 25/5/30, Sprint (15 min), Deep Work (45 min), or create your own custom intervals. Different tasks need different rhythms.
Auto-Start Flow
Enable auto-start to maintain seamless transitions between work and breaks. Stay in the zone without manual clicking.
Visual Progress Tracking
Session dots show completed Pomodoros, your current interval, and when your next long break arrives. See your momentum build.
Smart Notifications
Multiple alarm sounds with adjustable volume. Desktop notifications keep you informed even when the tab isn't active.
Daily Goal Setting
Set your daily Pomodoro target and see an estimated finish time that updates as you complete sessions.
Privacy First
All your timer settings and preferences are stored locally in your browser. No accounts, no personal data collection. Just you and your work.
2
Getting Started: How to Use the Pomodo Timer
A step-by-step guide to using our Pomodoro timer effectively
1. Plan Your Day
Before you press start, decide what you want to accomplish today. Create a focused list of tasks you'll work on. You can use your favorite task management app or a simple pen and paper.
The goal is to commit to a set of priorities, preventing distractions from a larger backlog, which you can keep in the Activity Inventory Sheet.
Download our To Do Today Sheet: PDF | Google Docs
2. Estimate Your Effort
Once you have your list, estimate how many Pomodoros each task will take. A good rule of thumb: break down any task requiring more than 5-7 Pomodoros into smaller chunks.
Record the number of available Pomodoros, assign them to tasks, and tick them off as you go. At the end of the day, log what you actually completed in the Records Sheet to spot patterns over time.
The To Do Today Sheet helps you plan your day by estimating how many Pomodoros each task will require.
3. Set Your Session Goal
Below the main timer, use the session configuration to choose how many Pomodoros you want to complete (default is 8).
Configure your daily Pomodoro target to see an estimated finish time that updates as you work.
4. Press Start and Focus
Click Start to begin your first Pomodoro. The timer counts down from 25 minutes. Work on your chosen task without interruption until the timer rings. The progress bar shows your progress through the interval.
The timer in focus mode, counting down from 25 minutes with a visual progress indicator.
5. Take Your Break
When the alarm sounds, take a 5-minute break. The timer automatically switches to "Short Break" mode if auto-start is enabled. After 4 Pomodoros, you earn a longer 15-30 minute break.
Make it a real mental reset rather than just a pause. Here's what to actually do during a five-minute break, and what quietly backfires.
These break intervals align with your body's natural ultradian rhythms, the 90-120 minute cycles of alertness and fatigue discovered by pioneering physiologists in the 1800s.
During your break, the timer switches to green, helping you relax before the next focus session.
Free Pomodoro printables
Want to run the Pomodoro method on paper? Download the full toolkit: the To Do Today Sheet, Activity Inventory, and Records Sheet, plus a one-page cheat sheet and a first-session walkthrough.
Browse all free downloads3
Understanding the Interface
What the interface means and how to control it
The Pomodoro timer interface with key controls and features numbered for easy reference.
The Controls
- 1Start / Pause / Resume - Your main control. Starts, pauses, and resumes the timer.
- 2Next (→) - Skips to the next interval (work to break or break to work). Only enabled when timer is active.
- 3Rewind (←) - Goes back to the previous interval. Only enabled after you've completed at least one Pomodoro.
- 4Reset - Clears the entire session. Requires confirmation to prevent accidents.
- 5Settings - Customize timer presets, notifications, and auto-start behavior.
The Progress Dots
- 6Filled dots - completed Pomodoros
- 7Pulsing dot - current interval
- 8Separator (|) - where your next long break occurs
Mastering the Settings
The settings panel lets you customize timer presets, enable auto-start, choose alarm sounds, and configure desktop notifications.
- Timer Presets:
- Traditional - 25 min work / 5 min short break / 30 min long break (every 4 Pomodoros)
- Sprint - 15 min sessions for quick tasks
- Deep Work - 45 min blocks for intensive concentration
- Custom - Create your own intervals (auto-selected when you adjust sliders)
- Auto Start - Automatically start the next break or Pomodoro without clicking
- Sound - Choose alarm sound and volume (with test button)
- Desktop Notifications - Get notified even when the browser tab isn't active
4
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about using the timer
1
Is this Pomodoro timer really free?
Yes. The timer is completely free with no hidden costs. There is no signup, no subscription, and no account required. All features are available immediately.
2
Do I need to create an account?
No. The timer works entirely without an account. Your settings and preferences are saved locally in your browser using localStorage, so they persist between visits on the same device without any registration.
3
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The timer is fully responsive and works on mobile browsers. For the best experience on mobile, you can add it to your home screen from your browser menu to use it like a native app.
4
How do I customize the timer intervals?
Open Settings and adjust the sliders for work duration, short break, and long break. You can also choose from built-in presets: Traditional (25/5/30), Sprint (15 min), or Deep Work (45 min). Your custom settings are saved automatically.
5
Will the timer keep running in a background tab?
Yes. The timer continues running if you switch tabs or minimize the browser. Enable Desktop Notifications in Settings to receive an alert when each interval ends, even when the tab is not active.
6
What happens if I get interrupted mid-Pomodoro?
According to the Pomodoro Technique, an interrupted Pomodoro is void, so note the interruption and start a new one. Use the Reset button to clear the current session, or the Next button to skip to a break if you need one.
7
Why is it called a tomato timer?
“Pomodoro” is Italian for “tomato.” The method is named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer its creator, Francesco Cirillo, used to track his early study sessions. That’s why you’ll sometimes see this kind of tool called a tomato timer or tomato clock. It all refers to the same 25-minute, one-task-at-a-time focus method.