Focus timer
A study and focus timer: work in focused rounds with regular breaks. Press Start and do one thing until the alarm sounds.
Focus
25:00
Focus is next.
0 focus rounds completed
Focus/break minutes
Settings
Your settings are remembered in this browser.
How it works
Work in focus rounds, in four steps
- Pick one task and press Start. Work on only that task for 25 minutes.
- When the alarm sounds, stop and take a 5-minute break. Stand up, stretch, look away from the screen.
- Repeat. Each finished focus round fills one dot.
- After four rounds, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes, then start a new set.
Why it helps
A fixed, short stretch of time makes it easier to start, because 25 minutes feels manageable. Regular breaks keep your attention fresh through the day, and counting rounds shows how long tasks really take, which makes planning easier.
If something comes up during a focus round, write it down and deal with it in the break. If you are interrupted for real, press Reset and start the round again.
25/5, 50/10 or 52/17?
25 minutes of focus and 5-minute breaks is the classic rhythm, and a good place to start for studying or any task you keep putting off. For deep work that takes a while to get into, such as writing or programming, many people prefer 50 minutes with 10-minute breaks. 52/17 comes from a 2014 study by the time-tracking app DeskTime, whose most productive users worked for 52 minutes and then took a 17-minute break. Try one for a few days and keep the one that suits you.
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Frequently asked questions
Where does the 25/5 rhythm come from?
It is the rhythm of the Pomodoro Technique®, a time management method Francesco Cirillo created in the late 1980s: 25 minutes on one task, a 5-minute break, and a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes after four rounds. Pomodoro® is a registered trademark of Francesco Cirillo; TickPickr is not affiliated with him.
Can I change the times?
Yes. Pick 25/5, 50/10 or 52/17 minutes with one click, or open Settings to set the focus time, both break lengths and how many rounds come before a long break. Your settings are saved in this browser, so they are ready next time.
What is the 52/17 rule?
A work rhythm from a 2014 study by the time-tracking app DeskTime: its 10% most productive users worked for 52 minutes, then took a 17-minute break. It describes what those people did rather than a proven formula, so treat it as one more rhythm to try.
What happens when a phase ends?
An alarm beeps and the next phase is set up: a short break after each focus round, and a long break after the last round of a set. With "Start the next phase automatically" on, it starts by itself; otherwise press Start when you are ready.
What does Skip do?
It ends the current phase straight away and moves to the next one, without counting a skipped focus round as completed.
Does it keep running in the background?
Yes, as long as the tab stays open. The time left and the current phase are shown in the tab’s title, so you can keep an eye on it from other tabs.