Ninety minutes is the length many people reserve for their deepest work of the day, and roughly the length often cited for one sleep cycle. The countdown above is already set to 90 minutes and starts with one click or the Space bar. Settle in, pick a sound, and let the timer watch the clock for you.
Deep work in 90-minute blocks
The body is often described as running on ultradian rhythms: cycles of roughly 90 minutes in which alertness rises and then dips. Whatever the exact science, many writers, developers and researchers find that one or two 90-minute blocks of undistracted work are where their most valuable output happens.
A block this long deserves a little preparation. Choose one demanding task, gather everything you need, and let people know you are unavailable. Afterward, take a real break of around 20 minutes. If you want that break and the next block to run automatically, the Pomodoro timer on the home page has a 90/20 preset.
A full-cycle nap
Most power naps stay under 20 minutes, but a nap of about 90 minutes is often suggested as a way to go through a complete sleep cycle and wake up at the end of it, rather than in the middle of deep sleep. Some people use it after a short night or before a late evening.
Choose an alarm sound that is clear but not jarring, turn on desktop notifications, and add white noise or rain if your surroundings are noisy.
Long study sessions and practice exams
Plenty of written exams run for about an hour and a half, which makes this countdown a natural fit for practice papers and long review sessions.
- Practice exams: fullscreen, no music, no extra minutes, just you and the paper.
- A movie-length study session: review a whole unit, then test yourself in the final 15 minutes.
- Long reading sessions with a calm ambient sound like forest or rain.
- Creative work that needs momentum: composing, drawing or editing video.
How the Pomodoro timer works
Four simple steps. No account, nothing to install: it runs right here in your browser.
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Pick what to work on
Add a task and estimate how many pomodoros it needs. The active task is credited automatically when a session ends.
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Start the timer
Press Start (or the Space bar) and give the task your full attention until the bell rings.
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Take a real break
Step away from the screen for 5 minutes. Stretch, drink some water, rest your eyes.
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Repeat, then rest longer
After four pomodoros, take a longer 15–30 minute break. Your stats and streak update on their own.
Everything you need to focus. Nothing you don't.
A calm, distraction-free timer with the tools serious students and makers actually use.
Accurate in the background
The countdown is based on real timestamps, so it stays exact in background tabs, on sleep and after a reload.
Ambient sounds & lofi
Layer rain, café or forest sounds, add focus music, a lofi radio or your own Spotify playlist.
Tasks with estimates
Plan your session in pomodoros and see when you will be done, breaks included.
Stats, streaks & badges
Daily goal, activity charts, a year heatmap and 46 badges to unlock. Share your week in one tap.
Floating timer
Pop the timer out into an always-on-top mini window while you work in other apps.
Scenes & themes
Light, dark, five color palettes and immersive scenes, from deep space to a flower field.
Keyboard shortcuts
Space to start, R to reset, S to skip, F for fullscreen. Your hands never leave the keyboard.
Private by design
No sign-up, no ads, no tracking of your work. Your data stays in your browser, exportable anytime.
Related timers
Each timer below is the same full-featured app, preset for a specific method or duration.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set a 90 minute timer?
Press Start or the Space bar: this countdown is already set to 90 minutes. On other countdowns, click the 1.5 h chip or type 90 in the minutes field.
Why do people work in 90-minute blocks?
Many people find that about 90 minutes is as long as they can sustain intense focus before needing a proper rest, an idea often linked to ultradian rhythms. It is a useful rule of thumb rather than a fixed law, so adjust it to your own energy.
Is a 90 minute nap better than a 20 minute nap?
They serve different purposes. A short nap is often suggested for a quick boost without grogginess, while a nap of around 90 minutes is commonly cited as matching one full sleep cycle. Choose based on how much time you have and how tired you are.
Does the timer keep counting if I reload the page?
Yes. The countdown stays accurate through reloads, background tabs and sleep, and the tab title keeps showing the remaining time.
Learn to focus better
Science-backed guides on the Pomodoro Technique, studying and deep work.
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Discover the neuroscience behind the Pomodoro Technique. Learn how cognitive load, dopamine, and ultradian rhythms make timed work sessions boost your focus.
13 min readHow to 3X Your Productivity with the Pomodoro Technique
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