Flowtime timer
Focus
25:00The Flowtime technique flips the Pomodoro method around: instead of a fixed 25 minutes, the timer counts up while you work, and you stop whenever your focus naturally runs out. Your break is then a share of the time you focused, one fifth by default. The timer above is already in flow mode: press Start, work, and press the coffee cup when you need a break.
What is the Flowtime technique?
Flowtime (sometimes called the Flowmodoro) was proposed as an alternative for people who find the Pomodoro alarm interrupts them right when they are getting into deep work. The idea is to keep the structure of alternating focus and rest, but let the length of each focus block follow your attention instead of a clock.
You start a stopwatch when you begin a task and stop it when you feel your focus drop, get tired or finish the task. Then you rest for a time that grows with the effort: a short pause after a short session, a real break after a long one.
- 1Pick one taskAdd it to the task list and select it, so the time is credited to it.
- 2Start the stopwatchThe timer counts up. No alarm will interrupt you.
- 3Stop when your focus fadesPress the coffee cup (or S) when you notice you're drifting, tired or done.
- 4Take the break you earnedThe break is a share of your focus time: 50 minutes of work at 1/5 gives a 10-minute break.
- 5Start the next blockAfter the break, the stopwatch is ready again at zero.
Flowtime vs Pomodoro: which one should you use?
Pomodoro is best when starting is the hard part: a fixed, short commitment beats procrastination, and the regular alarm keeps you from skipping breaks. Flowtime is best when staying in the zone is the hard part: coding, writing or design work where an interruption costs you ten minutes of warm-up.
Many people use both: Pomodoro for admin, revision and tasks they avoid, Flowtime for creative deep work. Switching is one click in the preset menu under the timer, and your stats, streak and tasks are shared between the two.
- Choose Pomodoro if you procrastinate, forget breaks or like a predictable rhythm.
- Choose Flowtime if the alarm breaks your concentration or your tasks have uneven lengths.
- Try the 1/5 ratio first. Use 1/4 or 1/3 on draining days, 1/6 when you want longer stretches.
How long should Flowtime breaks be?
The classic rule of thumb is a 5-minute break for up to 25 minutes of work, 8 minutes for 25 to 50 minutes, 10 minutes for 50 to 90 minutes and 15 minutes beyond that. This timer uses a simple, adjustable ratio instead: pick 1/3, 1/4, 1/5 or 1/6 of your focus time above the timer, and the break earned so far is shown under the clock while you work.
Whatever the ratio, keep the break real: stand up, look away from the screen, drink water. The point of Flowtime is to work longer when it's going well, not to skip rest.
How the Pomodoro timer works
Four simple steps. No account, nothing to install: it runs right here in your browser.
- 11
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.
- 22
Start the timer
Press Start (or the Space bar) and give the task your full attention until the bell rings.
- 33
Take a real break
Step away from the screen for 5 minutes. Stretch, drink some water, rest your eyes.
- 44
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.
Pomodoro, Flowtime & countdowns
Classic 25/5, 50/10 or your own durations, a count-up Flowtime mode and simple countdowns, exact even in background tabs.
Ambient sounds & lofi
Layer rain, café or forest sounds, brown noise or 40 Hz binaural beats, and add lofi radio or your own Spotify playlist.
Tasks, projects & templates
A to-do list under the timer: pomodoro estimates, notes, subtasks, projects and reusable templates. See when you'll be done.
Stats, streaks & badges
Daily goal, charts, a year heatmap, time per project, session history with CSV export and 100+ badges to unlock.
Study rooms with friends
Create a room, share the link and focus on one shared timer. See who's working and cheer each other on.
Floating timer
Pop the timer out into an always-on-top mini window while you work in other apps.
Scenes, clocks & themes
Dial, flip clock or kitchen timer. Animated scenes or your own photo, snow or sakura effects, light, dark and any colour.
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.
Methods
Countdown timers
Frequently asked questions
What is a Flowtime timer?
A Flowtime timer is a stopwatch for focused work: it counts up while you work, you stop it when your focus fades, and it gives you a break proportional to the time you focused (one fifth by default).
Is Flowtime better than Pomodoro?
Neither is better for everyone. Pomodoro helps you start and keeps a steady rhythm; Flowtime avoids interrupting deep work. Try both for a few days each: your stats will show which one gives you more focus time.
How do I take a break in flow mode?
Press the coffee-cup button next to Start, or the S key. The time you focused is saved to your stats and to the active task, and a break of the earned length begins.
Is there a limit to a Flowtime session?
A single session stops at 4 hours, which is far more than anyone should focus without a break. If you forget to stop the timer, you can delete or fix the session in the stats panel.
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