Pomodoro Timer
Stay focused, beat procrastination. Customizable intervals, task tracker, session history — all in your browser.
How to Use the Pomodoro Timer
1. Add your tasks — type what you're working on and press Add. Tap a task to set it as active; it'll appear in the timer ring.
2. Press Play — the 25-minute focus countdown starts. Work on your task and nothing else.
3. When the bell rings — a sound plays and (if enabled) a browser notification appears. The timer auto-advances to a break.
4. After 4 sessions — you get a longer 15-minute break. The session dots at the bottom of the ring track your progress.
5. Customise — click Settings to change focus duration, break lengths, and session goal. Enable Auto-start to move between sessions hands-free.
About This Timer
The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s (named after his tomato-shaped kitchen timer). This tool implements the classic 25/5/15 rhythm with full customisation.
Features:
- Animated SVG ring showing time remaining at a glance
- Three modes: Focus, Short Break, Long Break
- Task list with active task display in the timer
- Session history with timestamps
- Browser notifications (requires one-time permission)
- Web Audio API chime sounds — no files needed
- All data saved in localStorage — nothing leaves your device
Why Timed Intervals Work
Research on attention and cognitive load shows that the human brain's ability to maintain focused concentration degrades significantly after 20–45 minutes of continuous work. Forced breaks prevent the accumulation of mental fatigue.
The 25-minute window also exploits Parkinson's Law — work expands to fill available time. A tight timer creates positive pressure that reduces procrastination and "perfectionism stalling."
The physical act of starting a timer creates a commitment contract with yourself — studies show this alone increases follow-through on tasks by over 30%.