Blog · How-to

A Pomodoro timer in Chrome, set up properly

By Adnan · October 23, 2026 · 6 min read

The Pomodoro technique is simple: work for a set block, take a short break, repeat. A timer in your browser makes it easy to start, but a timer alone doesn't keep you from opening a tab you shouldn't. Here is how to set one up so it actually works.

What the 25/5 rule really is

The classic version is 25 minutes of focused work, then a 5-minute break. After four rounds you take a longer break, usually 15 to 30 minutes. Its creator, Francesco Cirillo, started with a tomato-shaped kitchen timer (pomodoro is Italian for tomato), and 25 minutes is what suited it. The number was practical, not the result of an experiment.

The research is encouraging but not precise. A 2025 review of studies on time-structured work in medical education found that Pomodoro-style sessions tended to improve focus and reduce mental fatigue. Other work suggests the best block length depends on the task and the person. Some people do better with 50 minutes of work and a 10-minute break, and a few studies found that breaks you choose yourself hold motivation better than a fixed clock.

Take 25/5 as a starting point, not a law. If you keep getting pulled out of a task just as you get going, try a longer block. If you tire before the bell, try a shorter one.

Three ways to run a Pomodoro in Chrome

1. A plain timer extension

Extensions such as Marinara, Pomodoro Timer and PomoTab give you a countdown, a notification and a break reminder. They are free, quick to set up, and fine if all you need is the clock. Check each store page for its permissions and privacy notes before you install.

2. A timer with tasks

Tools like Focus To-Do and Flocus add a task list and statistics so you can see how many rounds each task took. They suit people who plan their day around tasks, and some sync across devices, which means your data is stored on their servers.

3. A timer that also blocks distractions

The most useful version pairs the clock with a block list, so a tab to social media or news simply won't open while the timer runs. Several extensions do this, including Yellow Tomato, and so does WebWell, which I make.

Why blocking matters more than the timer

A timer tells you when to stop. It does nothing about the moment you open a distracting tab "just to check". That moment is where Pomodoros usually fall apart, because the break in your attention costs more than the minute you spent.

When the sites are blocked for the length of the session, you don't need to win that argument with yourself every few minutes. You decide once, before the timer starts, and the browser holds the line.

A setup that works

This is how I'd run it in WebWell, and the same ideas apply to any timer plus blocker:

1. Mark your distracting sites once. In the dashboard, set each site as productive, neutral or distracting. Focus sessions block the ones marked distracting.
2. Pick one task on your new tab, or type what you're working on, before you press Start focusing.
3. Choose a length. 25, 50 or 90 minutes, or any length you like. Start with 25 if you are unsure.
4. Add a sound if silence distracts you: rain, soft noise, waves or lofi radio, which you can switch while you work.
5. Set a break. Choose 5 or 10 minutes after the session, or none. When the break ends, start the next round yourself.
6. Look at the result. Your focused minutes show on the dashboard, and the time left appears on the toolbar icon.

If a blocked site opens during a session you can't ignore it, but the point is that the blocked page asks you to wait, which is often enough to let the urge pass.

One honest limitation: WebWell runs one focus session and its break at a time. It doesn't automatically run four rounds and then a long break, so you start each round yourself. If you want that exact cycle handled for you, a dedicated Pomodoro extension from the list above will do it.