What is the Pomodoro method?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. You work on one task for a short, fixed block of time, traditionally 25 minutes, then take a short break. After every four blocks you take a longer break. The name comes from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used as a student; pomodoro is Italian for tomato. The idea is simple: a visible deadline makes it easier to start, and regular breaks make it easier to keep going.
How to use this timer
- Add what you plan to work on to the task list, and press Focus on the one you're starting with.
- Press Start, or Space, and work only on that task until the chime.
- Take the short break properly: stand up, stretch, refill your water. Try to step away from the screen.
- After four focus sessions the timer gives you a long break. Use it for a walk or a meal.
Turn on Auto-start if you'd rather not press Start each time, and browser notifications if you work in other windows. The timer works from the system clock rather than counting ticks, so switching tabs or locking your laptop doesn't slow it down.
Tips for studying
- Give each session one subject or one chapter, and write it as a task before you start.
- Spend the last few minutes of a session testing yourself instead of re-reading.
- Put your phone in another room; a 25-minute gap is easy to defend.
- Check today's stats at the end of the day to see how much real study time you put in.
Tips for work
- Batch small jobs like email and messages into a single session instead of checking them all day.
- If something interrupts you, jot it down as a new task and come back to it on a break.
- Use full-screen mode during focus sessions so the timer is the only thing in view.
- Plan your day in sessions: "four sessions on the report" is easier to estimate than hours.
Choosing session lengths
Start with the classic 25 minutes of focus and 5-minute breaks for a few days. If you often reach the chime in the middle of deep thinking, try 45 or 50 minutes with a 10-minute break. If 25 minutes feels like a struggle, drop to 15 and build up. Long breaks of 15 to 30 minutes work for most people. There's no single right answer, so experiment and keep the setting that leaves you finishing the day with energy to spare.
Frequently asked questions
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs or close the page?
Yes. It calculates the time left from when you pressed Start, so background tabs stay exact. If you reload or come back later, a running session picks up where it should be.
Why didn't I hear the chime?
Browsers only allow sound after you've interacted with the page, which happens when you press Start. Also check the volume slider, use Test, and make sure your device isn't muted.
Can I change the lengths in the middle of a session?
Yes. New lengths apply immediately if the current session hasn't started, and from the next session if it has.
Is this an official Pomodoro Technique app?
No. It's an independent, free timer for people who use the method. SpinTock isn't affiliated with the method's creator. To learn the method in full, read Francesco Cirillo's own book on it.
Where are my tasks and stats stored?
Only in your browser on this device. Nothing is uploaded, and there's no account.