petikiHow to use it
- Pick a length. 25/5 for short, frequent rounds; 50/10 for longer work. Or choose Custom and set focus and break anywhere from 5 to 120 minutes.
- Focus on one thing. Press Start and stay with that one task until the timer ends. The time left also shows in the tab title, and the timer stays accurate if you switch tabs.
- Take your break. When time is up, a short sound plays, and you can get a browser notification too. Start the break, then the next round. After four rounds comes a 15-minute long break.
What is the pomodoro technique?
The pomodoro technique is a time management method that splits work into short, uninterrupted focus rounds. The classic version is 25 minutes of focus and a 5-minute break, with a longer break after four rounds. Francesco Cirillo developed it in the late 1980s and named it after his tomato-shaped kitchen timer (pomodoro is Italian for tomato).
The idea is simple: starting a round with a clear end is easier than telling yourself you'll work all day. When the round ends, you stop, take a break, then start again. This timer does exactly that: it keeps time, counts rounds and reminds you to take a break.
25 or 50 minutes?
Both follow the same idea; the difference is how long each round lasts and how often you take a break. In short:
| Aspect | 25 / 5 | 50 / 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus / break | 25 min / 5 min | 50 min / 10 min |
| Four rounds take | About 2 h 10 min (incl. long break) | About 4 h 5 min (incl. long break) |
| Good for | Hard-to-start tasks, revision, short and scattered work | Writing, coding, design: work that takes a while to warm up to |
| Downside | A break may come just as you get into flow | Can feel long on a tired day |
Not sure? Start with 25 minutes. If your rounds keep getting cut short, try a shorter length; if you keep thinking "I was just warming up", try 50. The right length is the one that works for you.
A sample study day
Here's how a 25/5 day might look for someone preparing for an exam: eight rounds in total, about 3 hours 20 minutes of focus.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 11:10 | 4 rounds: revision and practice questions, then a 15-minute long break. |
| 11:10 – 12:00 | Free time: messages, email, small tasks. |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch, away from the screen. |
| 1:00 – 3:10 | 4 rounds: a new topic, note-taking, going over mistakes from a practice test. |
| 3:10 – 3:30 | Wrap up: write down tomorrow's first task, tidy your desk. |
This is an example, not a rule. Some days, two rounds is a good day.
Common mistakes
- Starting without knowing what to do. Pick one concrete task before the round: not "biology" but "summarize chapter 3".
- Spending the break on a screen. A break is for stepping away from work. Social media and email often keep your head as busy as work does; get up, refill your water, look out the window.
- Counting an interrupted round. If someone interrupts and it will take a while, reset the timer. Jot down anything else that pops into your head and get back to your round.
- Always skipping breaks. Skipping one break while you're in flow is fine; if you skip every time, try a longer round like 50/10.
- Beating yourself up over a slow day. The timer measures time, not you. A day with few rounds still counts; you can start again tomorrow.
Continue on your phone: Petiki
This page is just a timer: it doesn't save tasks or coins, and your rounds reset when you close the tab. The Petiki app adds these to the same focus rhythm:
- To-do list: add your tasks and choose which one you're working on while you focus.
- Tiki: every focus minute earns 1 coin; spend coins to feed, dress up and grow your virtual cat, Tiki.
- A gentle streak: you get one rest day a week; an empty day doesn't break your streak.
15, 25 or 50 minutes, or your own length from 5 to 120. Free, no account needed; iOS and Android.
Frequently asked questions
Is the pomodoro timer free?
Yes. No sign-up, account or payment. The timer runs entirely in your browser; only your length, sound and notification choices are saved, in this browser.
What happens if I close the tab?
The timer stops and the current round is lost; your settings stay. Switching to another tab or app is fine: time is calculated from the real clock, so it stays accurate in the background.
Why didn't I get a notification?
Notifications are only sent while the tab is in the background; if the page is in front, only the sound plays. If none arrive, permission may not have been given or may be blocked in the site settings, do-not-disturb may be on in your operating system, or your browser may not support this kind of notification. On iPhone, iPad and Android, browsers often don't show them; keep the sound on there.
What should I do during breaks?
Anything that takes you away from work and the screen: get up, walk around, refill your water, look outside. During the 15-minute long break you could have a snack or go for a short walk. Checking work email on a break turns it back into work.
How many pomodoros should I do a day?
There's no single right number for everyone. Start small: say 4 rounds, which is about two hours of focus with 25-minute rounds. Then adjust to your day. What matters more than the count is that each round goes to one task.