What is the Pomodoro technique and how do I use it?
Pomodoro is a popular time-management technique invented in the 1980s by Francesco Cirillo. You work 25 minutes in full focus, then 5 minutes of break. After 4 such cycles - a long break of 15-30 minutes.
Here you have a simple timer with sound and a notification when the phase ends. The number of pomodoros completed today is shown at the top. Phase durations are configurable - if 30/10 suits you better than the classic 25/5, set it.
How to use it
- Click "Start" - the timer begins counting down 25 minutes of work.
- After 25 minutes, sound and notification tell you it's break time.
- Click "Start" again - 5 minutes of break. Then back to work.
- After 4 completed pomodoros - a long break of 15-30 minutes.
- In settings you can change phase durations (e.g. 50/10 for deeper work).
- The "pomodoros today" counter at the top motivates you.
When this is useful
Six typical situations where Pomodoro actually helps you start and not fall off:
- Focused desk work. The classic use. Tough task? Set the timer to 25 minutes, phone on silent, do only one thing.
- Studying for an exam. Students learning for hours. Pomodoro protects the brain from burnout, regular breaks improve retention.
- Writing (essay, book, blog). Blocks procrastination. "Just 25 minutes" is easy to start.
- Programming and deep focus. 25 minutes is often too short. Advanced users use 50/10 or 90/15 (ultradian cycles). Adjust in settings.
- Working with kids in the background. You can tell your kid: "Dad works for 25 minutes, then I have 5 minutes for you". Better than endless "in a minute, in a minute".
- Sport, exercise, chores. 25 minutes of training, 5 minutes of rest (HIIT, Tabata). "Just 25 minutes of cleaning" is psychologically easier than "I have to clean the whole house".
To count down to a specific date instead of a cyclic timer, use our countdown timer.
Questions and answers
Italian for "tomato". The technique's creator - Francesco Cirillo - as a student used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to measure 25-minute work sessions. The name caught on globally.