The Pomodoro Technique is the world's most-loved productivity system: work 25 minutes, break 5, repeat. Every fourth cycle, take a longer 15-minute break. Simple, effective, backed by four decades of use across knowledge workers.
How it works
The timer automatically switches between Focus (25m), Short Break (5m) and Long Break (15m) modes. After every fourth completed focus cycle, you get the long break instead of the short one. Each mode has a distinct background tint so it's immediately obvious where you are in the cycle.
Key features
- Three preset modes: Focus / Short Break / Long Break
- Auto-cycle: rotates focus and break automatically
- Long break every 4th cycle
- Cycle counter shows daily progress
- Sound alert at each mode transition
- Skip button when you finish early
Common use cases
Pro tips
- ◆Silence Slack, email and phone before starting — a broken pomodoro is a wasted one.
- ◆Use the short break to move: stretch, walk, drink water. Don't doom-scroll.
- ◆Track completed cycles daily — you'll spot patterns in your best and worst days.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕Skipping breaks. Breaks are the mechanism, not a bonus.
- ✕Multitasking during a pomodoro — that defeats the whole point.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the durations?▼
The classic 25/5/15 is proven to work. Custom durations are coming in a future release.
Where does the name come from?▼
Francesco Cirillo, the inventor, used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer — "pomodoro" is Italian for tomato.
How many pomodoros should I do in a day?▼
8–12 completed pomodoros is a very strong day. Most people manage 4–6.