Pomodoro Timer
Stay focused with the Pomodoro Technique. 25 minutes of deep work, then a well-earned break.
Free Online Pomodoro Timer
The SmarterSources Pomodoro Timer is a free, browser-based productivity tool that helps you work smarter using the proven Pomodoro Technique. Developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, this time management method breaks your work into focused 25-minute intervals (called "pomodoros") separated by short breaks. Our timer tracks your sessions, saves your daily statistics, and keeps you on track with audio notifications and visual progress indicators. Everything runs locally in your browser with no sign-up, no downloads, and no tracking.
What Is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method created by Francesco Cirillo while he was a university student in the late 1980s. The name comes from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer ("pomodoro" means tomato in Italian) that Cirillo used to track his study intervals. The core idea is simple: break your work into 25-minute focused sessions, each followed by a 5-minute break. After completing four focus sessions, you take a longer 15-minute break. This structured approach helps maintain mental freshness, reduces burnout, and creates a sustainable rhythm of deep work and recovery.
How to Use the Pomodoro Timer
Using our Pomodoro Timer is straightforward. Select "Focus" mode and click Start to begin a 25-minute focus session. During this time, work on a single task without interruption. When the timer ends, you will hear a notification sound and the timer automatically transitions to a short break. After four completed focus sessions, you earn a longer 15-minute break. You can customize all durations, toggle auto-start for breaks and focus sessions, and track your daily progress in the stats section below the timer. Your settings and statistics are saved automatically in your browser.
Benefits of the Pomodoro Technique
Research and decades of real-world use have shown that the Pomodoro Technique offers several powerful benefits for students and professionals alike. It reduces mental fatigue by ensuring regular breaks, which keeps your brain fresh and focused. It combats procrastination by making work feel less overwhelming — committing to just 25 minutes is much easier than facing hours of unstructured work. It improves focus by training your brain to concentrate for defined intervals. It increases accountability by giving you a clear count of productive sessions completed. And it helps you estimate effort by letting you measure tasks in pomodoros rather than vague time blocks.
Tips for Effective Study Sessions
To get the most out of the Pomodoro Technique, start by choosing one specific task before each focus session — multitasking defeats the purpose. Eliminate distractions by silencing your phone, closing unnecessary tabs, and letting others know you are in a focus session. Respect the breaks — step away from your screen, stretch, or grab a drink. Skipping breaks leads to diminishing returns. If you find 25 minutes too long or too short, use the settings panel to customize your durations. Track your daily sessions to build momentum and maintain your streak. Over time, you will find your ideal rhythm and see a real improvement in productivity and study quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a Pomodoro 25 minutes?
Francesco Cirillo found that 25 minutes was the ideal length to maintain deep focus without mental fatigue. It is long enough to make meaningful progress on a task but short enough to stay manageable. However, the technique is flexible — you can customize the focus duration in our settings panel to find the interval that works best for you.
What should I do during breaks?
During short breaks (5 minutes), step away from your screen. Stretch, walk around, get water, or do a quick breathing exercise. During long breaks (15 minutes), you can grab a snack, take a short walk outside, or do something enjoyable. The key is to give your brain genuine rest — avoid checking social media or starting new tasks during breaks.
What if I get interrupted during a focus session?
If the interruption is urgent, pause the timer, handle it, and resume. For non-urgent interruptions, jot down a quick note and return to your task. Some practitioners follow the "inform, negotiate, call back" strategy: let the person know you are in a focus session, agree to follow up during your break, and return to your work. If the interruption derails you completely, reset the timer and start the pomodoro over.
Can I change the timer durations?
Yes. Click the Settings button below the timer controls to customize the focus duration (1-60 minutes), short break (1-30 minutes), long break (1-60 minutes), and the number of sessions before a long break (1-10). Your settings are saved automatically in your browser for your next visit.
Does this timer work offline?
Once the page is loaded, the Pomodoro Timer works entirely in your browser with no server connection needed. The timer, notifications, and all features run using client-side JavaScript. Your settings and statistics are stored in your browser's local storage, so they persist between visits without any account or internet connection.
Is my data private?
Absolutely. This Pomodoro Timer runs 100% in your web browser. No data is uploaded to any server, no accounts are needed, and no cookies are used for tracking. Your settings and session statistics are stored locally in your browser's storage, which only you can access. You can clear this data at any time through your browser settings.