Free, no sign-up. Settings and today's count are saved in this browser only. The tab must stay open for the timer to run.
A focus timer splits work into timed sessions with short breaks in between — for example 25 minutes of focus and 5 minutes of rest. Choosing one task, starting the clock and knowing a break is coming makes it easier to begin and to keep going. This free online timer adds background sounds, a breathing start and full-screen mode.
What is a focus timer?
A focus timer is a countdown you use to work on one task for a set time, then take a planned break. The structure does two things: it makes starting smaller ("just 25 minutes"), and it gives your attention a rest before it runs out. Session-and-break timers have been popular for decades in many variations; the 25/5 rhythm is the most common.
| Preset | Best for |
|---|---|
| 25 / 5 | Getting started, studying, tasks you're avoiding |
| 50 / 10 | Writing, coding, focused admin |
| 90 / 20 | Deep work when you're already in flow |
| Custom 10 / 5 | Very low energy days or ADHD warm-ups |
How do I use a focus timer?
- Pick one task and type it in. "Write the intro", not "work".
- Choose a preset. Not sure? Start with 25 / 5.
- Remove one distraction. Phone in another room or face down; close extra tabs.
- Start and stay with the task until the chime. If a thought pops up, jot it down and continue.
- Take the break for real. Stand up, stretch, look out the window — not your phone.
- Repeat, then take a long break after four sessions.
Do focus timers and breaks actually work?
Short breaks help you stay fresh. In a meta-analysis of 22 studies, Patricia Albulescu and colleagues (PLOS ONE, 2022) found that micro-breaks of 10 minutes or less increased vigor and reduced fatigue; effects on performance were smaller and depended on the task. In experiments on sustained attention, Atsunori Ariga and Alejandro Lleras (Cognition, 2011) found that brief diversions from a task helped prevent the decline in focus that sets in over long stretches of the same work.
The timer also helps you start. "Work on the report" is vague and open-ended; "25 minutes on the intro, then a break" is concrete and finite — a small if-then plan.
What's the best focus timer setup for studying?
- Studying: 25 / 5, with active recall in each session — close the book and write what you remember.
- Exam prep: alternate subjects between sessions to keep attention up.
- Deep work: 50 / 10 or 90 / 20, with notifications off and one task per session.
- Reading: 25 / 5 with a two-line summary in each break.
Is a focus timer good for ADHD?
Many people with ADHD find a visible countdown helpful: it makes time concrete and the task finite. Start shorter than you think — 10 or 15 minutes — and use the break to move. Background sound helps some people and distracts others; try both. Working alongside someone (body doubling) can help too.
A focus timer is a planning tool, not a treatment.
Should I use music with a focus timer?
It depends on you and the task. Steady background sound like rain or café noise can mask distracting noise around you. Music with lyrics tends to compete with reading and writing. Try a session with a sound and one without, and keep what lets you stay longer on the task.
Is there a focus timer app that's connected to my tasks?
Yes — Yez3 has the same focus timer built in, on iPhone, Android and the web: full-screen sessions, 25 minutes on and 5 off, a 15-minute long break after four sessions, rain, forest, ocean and café sounds and a breathing mode. You can link a session to a task from your daily plan and see your focus minutes for the day. It's part of the Yez3 procrastination app, together with a daily Minimum and an AI coach that helps you start the task you keep postponing.
Focus timer FAQ
Is this focus timer free?
Yes. The online focus timer is free, with no sign-up and no email. Your settings and today's session count are saved in your browser only. Keep the tab open while the timer runs.
How long should a focus session be?
Many people start with 25 minutes of focus and a 5-minute break. For writing or coding, 50 minutes with a 10-minute break often works better. If starting is hard, try 10 or 15 minutes. The best length is the one you can repeat several times a day.
What should I do during a break?
Move and look away from screens: stand up, stretch, refill water, look out of a window or walk for a few minutes. Avoid starting something absorbing, like social media, that's hard to stop when the break ends.
Does the timer work on my phone?
Yes, the timer works in any modern mobile browser. If you want the timer linked to your tasks, the same focus timer is built into Yez3 on iPhone, Android and the web app.
Can I use background sounds?
Yes. Choose rain, forest, ocean or café sounds and adjust the volume. Sound plays only while the timer is running.
- Albulescu, P., Macsinga, I., Rusu, A., Sulea, C., Bodnaru, A., & Tulbure, B. T. (2022). "Give me a break!" A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance. PLOS ONE, 17(8), e0272460.
- Ariga, A., & Lleras, A. (2011). Brief and rare mental "breaks" keep you focused: Deactivation and reactivation of task goals preempt vigilance decrements. Cognition, 118(3), 439–443.