You sit down to work and your mind pulls in ten directions. A message pings. A tab catches your eye. Twenty minutes later you have done almost nothing, and the task still looms.
Pomofocus is a free timer that fixes this with one simple rule: work for 25 minutes, then rest for five. It runs in your browser, needs no setup, and is easy enough for a first-time user.
Quick summary
- Pomofocus is a free online timer based on the Pomodoro Technique.
- You work in short focused blocks, with short breaks between them.
- It works in any desktop or mobile browser, with no download required.
- The core features are free. Extra features are optional.
What it is
Pomofocus is a customizable timer made to help you focus on a single task, whether that is studying, writing, or coding. It is built on the Pomodoro Technique, created by Francesco Cirillo. The method breaks work into timed intervals, traditionally 25 minutes long, with short breaks between them. Each interval is called a "pomodoro," the Italian word for tomato, after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used as a student.
The tool pairs the timer with a small task list. You write down what you plan to work on today, guess how many blocks each task needs, and work through them one at a time. There is no long onboarding and no dashboard full of numbers you will never read.
Who it is for
Pomofocus fits you if any of these sound familiar:
- You start tasks, drift away, and lose half the day.
- Big tasks feel heavy, and you do not know where to begin.
- You work or study at a computer and want something free and simple.
- You tried complicated focus apps and gave up on them.
It is less useful if your work is made of constant short interruptions, such as answering customers all day. You can still use it for the few tasks that need deep attention.
A short timer also lowers the pressure. You are not promising to finish the whole job, only 25 minutes. Our post on why we procrastinate explains why a small start beats a big plan.
How to use it
- Add tasks. Type what you want to work on today. Keep each task small and specific, like "write intro paragraph" rather than "report."
- Estimate your blocks. For each task, set how many pomodoros it might take. A guess is fine. You will get better at guessing.
- Pick one task. Select the task you will work on first. Only one at a time.
- Start the timer. Focus on that single task until the alarm rings. If another thought pops up, jot it on paper and go back.
- Take a break. When the alarm sounds, rest for five minutes. Stand up, stretch, drink water. Skip social media, because five minutes there can easily turn into thirty.
- Repeat. Keep going until your tasks are done.
Handy features, free and paid
The free version covers what most beginners need. It estimates your finish time, lets you save repeated tasks as templates (the free plan limits you to three), and shows simple reports of how long you focused each day, week, and month. You can also change the focus and break lengths, the alarm sound, and the background sounds.
Some extras sit behind a small paid upgrade. According to the site, these include project tracking, yearly reports, downloading your focus history, unlimited templates, a Todoist connection, and an ad-free experience. A How-To Geek review mentions the upgrade price as $1.99, but prices change, so check the site before you pay. You do not need the paid version to get the main benefit.
For lists, see our guides to Todoist and Google Keep.
Tips for your first week
- Start with one block. Do just one pomodoro on day one. A small win builds trust in the method.
- Protect the break. The rest is part of the system, not a reward you skip. See our post on why rest is part of progress.
- Adjust the length if 25 feels wrong. If 25 minutes feels too long, try 15. If it feels too short, try 40.
- Silence your phone. Put it in another room or turn on do-not-disturb.
Things to know before you start
Keep the browser tab open for the timer and alerts. There are also downloadable apps for Mac, Windows, and Linux. The site warns that on Windows you may see a message about an unsigned app. If that makes you uneasy, simply use the website instead.
Also remember that no timer can decide what is important. Pomofocus helps you focus. It will not choose your priorities, so spend two minutes each morning deciding what matters most.
Try this now
Open pomofocus.io in your browser. Add one task you have been avoiding and set it to one pomodoro. Press start, put your phone out of reach, and work on only that task for 25 minutes. When the alarm rings, take a real five-minute break.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pomofocus really free?
The core timer, task list, and basic reports are free. A few extras, like project tracking and integrations, are part of a paid upgrade. You can get the main benefit without paying.
Do I need to install anything?
No. It runs in your browser on desktop or mobile. Apps for Mac, Windows, and Linux exist but are optional.
Can I change the 25-minute length?
Yes. You can set your own focus and break times, so you can try shorter or longer blocks.
What is a pomodoro?
It is one focused work block, traditionally 25 minutes, followed by a short break. The name comes from the Italian word for tomato.
Sources: Pomofocus; How-To Geek, "The Best Free Pomodoro Timers and Apps".