How the focus timer works
The timer runs a cycle of focus sessions and breaks. You work on one task until the focus time is up, then take a short break. After every few focus sessions comes a longer break. The defaults are 25 minutes of focus, 5-minute short breaks and a 15-minute long break after the fourth round, and each of them can be changed. Use it for work, study or any task that needs your full attention.
The dots under the clock show where you are in the cycle. When a phase ends, a soft chime plays and the dial flashes. With auto-start on, the next phase begins after a short chime. With it off, the timer waits for you, so you can finish a thought before the break.
Using it for the Pomodoro® Technique
The Pomodoro® Technique was created by Francesco Cirillo. According to the official Pomodoro® Technique website, he began developing it in the 1980s as a university student, with a tomato-shaped kitchen timer. The method works with 25-minute sessions, but its creator says it is more than a timer: it also covers planning your work, estimating effort, handling interruptions and recording what happens.
With its default settings, you can use this focus timer for the Pomodoro® Technique, but it only does the timing part. For the full method, see the official Pomodoro® Technique website.
Pomodoro® and Pomodoro Technique® are registered trademarks of Francesco Cirillo. Freebiefy is not affiliated with, associated with, or endorsed by the Pomodoro Technique® or Francesco Cirillo.
Getting more out of each session
- Pick the task first. Decide what you will work on before you press Start, so the focus time goes to the work and not to choosing.
- Write interruptions down. If something comes up, note it and get back to the task. Deal with it in the break.
- Really take the break. Stand up, stretch or get a glass of water rather than checking messages.
- Try other lengths. Some tasks suit longer blocks, like 50 minutes with 10-minute breaks. Save your favorite with Copy link.
Need a single countdown instead? The online timer runs any length, and the stopwatch counts up with laps.
How to use the focus timer
- 1Keep the defaults or set your own focus, break and long break minutes, and turn on auto-start if you want the phases to run on their own.
- 2Press Start focus and work until the chime. Press Notify me if you want a system message at the end of each phase as well.
- 3Start the break when the chime rings, or let auto-start do it. Skip jumps to the next phase, and Reset starts the cycle over.
Frequently asked questions
What are the default settings?
25 minutes of focus, a 5-minute short break and a 15-minute long break after every fourth focus session. Change any of them under Settings. The 25-minute focus block is the length the Pomodoro® Technique is built around; the break lengths are this timer’s defaults, so pick what works for you.
What does auto-start do?
With auto-start on, the next phase begins by itself when one ends: a short chime plays and the break starts, then the next focus session. With it off, the chime keeps ringing until you press the button to start the next phase, so you decide when to go on.
Does the timer keep running in a background tab?
Yes. It works out the time left from the moment the phase should end, not by counting ticks, and the chime is scheduled on the browser’s audio clock, which is not slowed down in background tabs. The time left also shows in the tab title. Closing or reloading the tab ends the timer.
How do I get a notification when a phase ends?
Press Notify me and allow notifications when your browser asks. The page only asks after you press the button. Your system then shows a message at the end of each phase, even when the browser is behind other windows.
How do I save my own settings?
Set the minutes and auto-start the way you like, then press Copy link and bookmark that link. It opens the timer with your settings, for example 50 minutes of focus and 10-minute breaks.