A free focus timer set up for short, flexible sessions: 15 minutes of focus and a 5-minute break by default, with 10 / 3 for hard days. The time left is always visible, the alert is clear, and every finished session is counted.
Why start with shorter sessions
The classic Pomodoro Technique® uses 25-minute sessions. For many people with ADHD, the hardest part is not the 25th minute but the first one. A shorter session lowers the bar: fifteen minutes on one task is a promise that is easy to keep, and a finished session is a small win you can see in your report.
There is no correct length. Start with what you will actually begin, and make sessions longer once starting gets easier. The timer adapts to you, not the other way round.
Setups to try
- 10 / 3: for days when starting feels impossible, or for a task you have been avoiding. Ten minutes is short enough to try.
- 15 / 5: the default on this page. Long enough to get something done, short enough to stay with it.
- 25 / 5 with auto-start: the classic rhythm, with the next phase starting on its own so the switch does not depend on a decision.
- Your own numbers: every length can be set from 1 to 180 minutes in Settings.
Change one thing at a time and give it a few days. The report shows how many sessions you actually finish with each setup.
Making time easier to see
- The countdown and a progress bar show how much of the session is left.
- The browser tab title shows the time too, so you can see it from any other tab.
- The task list shows an estimated finish time for everything you have planned.
- The focus view hides the task list while a session runs, so the timer has the space to itself.
Hyperfocus: when to let a session run
Sometimes the alert arrives just as you finally got going. You do not have to stop every time. Leave auto-start for breaks off, and the break waits until you press Start; if you are clearly in a good flow, you can skip the break with S.
If that happens every session, your sessions are probably too short for this kind of task. Make them longer in Settings; the change applies from the next phase.
Breaks that do not turn into scrolling
- Plan the break before it starts: water, a stretch, a few steps away from the desk.
- Keep your phone out of reach during focus sessions and short breaks.
- Turn on auto-start for focus sessions, so the next session begins even if the break ran long.
- Keep a capture task at the top of your list for stray thoughts, so they leave your head without derailing you.
Sounds that help rather than distract
Pick an alert you notice but do not hate: bell, chime or digital beep, with a volume control and up to ten repeats. The ticking sound is off by default; some people find it grounding, others find it distracting. Try both.
What this timer cannot do
- It cannot start a session for you; it only makes starting smaller.
- On phones, the alert may be late when the screen locks, because mobile browsers pause web pages. Keep the timer on screen.
- It does not block websites or apps.
A note on ADHD
Tomatock is a productivity tool. The ideas on this page are practical suggestions for using a timer, not a diagnosis or a treatment, and they will not suit everyone. This page is not medical advice; if you have questions about ADHD, talk to a qualified health professional.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Pomodoro Technique® good for ADHD?
Some people with ADHD find timed sessions helpful for starting and pacing work, and others find the fixed rules frustrating. Treat it as an experiment: adapt the lengths, keep the parts that help and drop the rest.
What is the 10/3 setup?
Ten minutes of focus followed by a three-minute break. It is a gentle way to start a task you keep putting off. Once starting gets easier, try 15 / 5 or 25 / 5.
Can I make the timer less distracting?
Yes. Keep the ticking sound off, choose a softer alert or a lower volume, and turn on the focus view in Settings to hide the task list while a session runs.
What if I keep ignoring the alert?
That usually means the sessions are too short for the task, or the break arrives at a bad moment. Try longer sessions, or leave auto-start for breaks off so you choose when to stop.
Is my data private?
Yes. Tasks, settings and history stay in your browser on your device. There is no account, and nothing you do in the timer is sent to a server.
Written and maintained by the Tomatock team · Last reviewed