Free online timer
25 minute timer
Press start and give one task your full attention until it chimes. Twenty five minutes is the classic Pomodoro length: long enough to get real work done, short enough to start right now.
- Free
- No account needed
- Chimes when time is up
How to use a 25 minute timer
- Pick one task and write down what done looks like for these 25 minutes.
- Put your phone in another room or at least out of reach.
- Press start and keep going until the chime, even if the first few minutes feel slow.
- When it chimes, take a five minute break away from the screen before the next one.
What fits in 25 minutes
A first draft of one section of an essay or report
One problem set question worked through properly
Clearing an inbox down to the emails that need real replies
Reading and annotating one chapter or paper section
Tidying one room with music on
The admin task you have been avoiding all week
Why 25 minutes works
Twenty five minutes comes from the Pomodoro Technique, which Francesco Cirillo started using as a university student in the late 1980s with a tomato shaped kitchen timer. The idea is simple: one task, one timer, then a short break.
The length matters less than the promise you make to yourself. Twenty five minutes is short enough that starting does not feel like a big decision, which is often the hardest part. Once you are moving, most people find the time passes faster than they expected.
Focus is easier next to someone
Roomie Cafe is the same kind of timer, shared with friends. You see who else is focusing right now and write one line about what you got done when the timer ends. No webcam, nothing to book, free with no session limit.
Questions about the timer
Is this 25 minute timer free?
Yes. It runs in your browser, with no account, no download and no limit on how many times you use it.
Will it make a sound when time is up?
Yes, it plays a short chime when the 25 minutes are over, and the time left shows in your browser tab while it runs, so you can check it from another tab.
Does the timer keep running in another tab?
Yes. It counts down to a fixed end time, so it stays accurate even when the tab is in the background. Keep the tab open until it chimes.
How many 25 minute sessions should I do in a row?
A common rhythm is four sessions with a five minute break after each and a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes after the fourth.