25 minute timer

Twenty-five minutes to get things done

This 25 minute timer already shows 25:00. Click "Start" or press the space bar and the countdown begins. An alarm sounds when time is up, and the remaining time also appears in the tab title, so you can keep an eye on it while you work on another page.

What can you do in 25 minutes?

• One Pomodoro. This is the work interval of the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes on a single task, then a 5-minute break. After four rounds you take a longer break, usually 15 to 30 minutes.
• Revise one topic. A history chapter, a set of flashcards, a page of maths problems. Twenty-five minutes is right for one clear chunk, not the whole syllabus.
• Read. A chapter of a novel or a report you have been putting off, with your phone in another room.
• Tidy up. A cupboard, your desk or your inbox. Stop when the alarm goes, even if it is not finished.
• Write a first draft. A cover letter or meeting notes in one go, without fixing things as you type.

Tips

When the alarm rings, click "5 min" under "Common durations" and the 5-minute timer starts straight away for your break. For the next round, click "25 min". Keep a tally on paper: one mark per finished round, and after the fourth mark take the long break. If someone interrupts, use "Pause" and then "Resume" so you do not lose any minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Does the timer stay accurate if I work in another tab?

Yes. The countdown is worked out from the finish time, so it stays exact in the background. Just keep the tab open: closing it stops the timer.

Can I use it silently?

Untick "Sound at the end". At zero the digits flash without a sound, which is handy in a library or a shared office.