A free 50/10 timer that runs in your browser: 50 minutes of focus, a 10-minute break, and a 20-minute break after every third session. Add your tasks, press Start and let the timer keep the rhythm.
What is the 50/10 method?
The 50/10 method is a longer version of the classic Pomodoro Technique® rhythm. Instead of 25 minutes of focus and a 5-minute break, you work for 50 minutes and rest for 10. It suits work where it takes a while to get going: writing, programming, design, long reading and hard problem sets.
On this page the timer is set up for 50 / 10 with a 20-minute long break after every three focus sessions. That is about three hours of work with proper rest in between. Your tasks and history are the same as on the other timer pages.
50/10 or 25/5?
Neither rhythm is better for everyone. The difference is how long it takes you to warm up and how long you can stay sharp.
- 25 / 5 makes starting easy and gives you frequent resets. It suits memorizing, admin work, tiring subjects and low-energy days.
- 50 / 10 loses less time to warming up and gives you a break long enough to really rest. It suits deep work that needs you to hold a lot in your head.
- With 25 / 5 you stop about every half hour; with 50 / 10, about once an hour. Over a morning, both add up to a similar amount of focus.
- If the 25-minute alert keeps cutting you off mid-thought, try 50 / 10. If you keep checking the clock after half an hour, go back to 25 / 5.
When 50 minutes is too long
Fifty minutes is a long time to stay with one thing, especially on a tired day or with a task you dread. If you notice that you drift after twenty minutes, or you avoid pressing Start at all, that is a sign to switch to the 25 / 5 preset for a while. Shorter sessions you actually do are worth more than long ones you avoid.
You can also keep the 50-minute focus and change the breaks. Some people prefer 50 / 5 for light work or 45 / 15 when they need more recovery. Every length can be changed in Settings, from 1 to 180 minutes.
How to use a 10-minute break
Ten minutes is enough for a real reset, as long as you leave the screen. A break spent scrolling usually makes the next session harder to start.
- Stand up, walk around, stretch your back, neck and shoulders.
- Refill your water, make a tea or a coffee, eat a piece of fruit.
- Look out of a window or at something far away to rest your eyes.
- Write one line on where to pick up, so the next session starts quickly.
- Save messages and social media for the long break.
A sample 50/10 day
One realistic plan for a day of deep work. Adapt it to your own timetable and energy.
- Morning: three 50-minute sessions on your most important task, then the 20-minute long break.
- Late morning: one or two sessions on a second task.
- Afternoon: two sessions, then switch to 25 / 5 for lighter work or email.
- End of the day: check the report and plan tomorrow's first session.
Six or seven 50-minute sessions is already a very full day. Stop on time; the next morning will go better for it.
More ways to focus
Frequently asked questions
How does the long break work with 50/10?
On this page the long break is 20 minutes and comes after every third focus session. You can change both the length and how many sessions come before it in Settings.
How many 50/10 rounds should I do in a day?
For most people, four to seven focus sessions of 50 minutes is a full day of deep work. Quality drops before you notice it, so plan fewer rounds rather than more.
Is 50/10 good for studying?
Yes, for problem sets, essays and long reading, where it takes time to get into the material. For memorizing vocabulary or formulas, or when you struggle to start, 25 / 5 usually works better.
Can I use 50/5 or 45/15 instead?
Yes. Open Settings and set the focus, short break and long break lengths you want, anywhere from 1 to 180 minutes. Your choice is saved in this browser.
Will the alert play if I switch to another tab?
Tomatock is designed to keep the alert on time even in a background tab: the sound is scheduled in advance and a background worker wakes the page when time is up. On phones, keep the page on screen, because mobile browsers usually pause pages when the screen locks.
Written and maintained by the Tomatock team · Last reviewed