Break Timer Online
Pick an interval, press start, and stop watching the clock. Defaults to the 20-20-20 rule for eye strain; switch to 30/5, 50/10, Pomodoro or your own numbers whenever you like.
Focus
20:00
Then look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
0 breaks today | 0 min focused
Keep this tab open. Browsers slow down timers in background tabs, so a reminder can arrive up to a minute late if you switch away — the countdown itself stays accurate.
Break
Look at something 20 feet (6 metres) away
00:20
Let your eyes relax on a distant object. Blink slowly a few times. You do not need to watch this countdown.
or press Esc
Choosing an interval
The right interval depends on what you are trying to fix. Short visual resets and longer physical breaks are not interchangeable, and stacking both is usually better than choosing.
| Preset | Work | Break | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-20-20 | 20 min | 20 sec | Dry, tired eyes. Long enough to be useful, short enough that you never skip it. |
| 30 / 5 | 30 min | 5 min | Stiff neck and back. Enough time to stand, walk and refill water. |
| 50 / 10 | 50 min | 10 min | Deep work you can protect. A real reset, but only if your calendar allows it. |
| Pomodoro | 25 min | 5 min | Task initiation and procrastination. The interval is a commitment device. |
If you are unsure, start with 20-20-20 for a week. It is the least disruptive option, and the only one aimed specifically at digital eye strain. Add a longer break preset later if your body is asking for it.
What each reminder does
Three channels fire together at the end of an interval, so you notice even if you are deep in something:
- Full-screen reminder. A dim, low-glare screen with the break countdown. Deliberately uninteresting — for a 20-second visual break you should be looking across the room, not at the timer. Dismiss it with the button or Esc.
- Sound. A short chime generated in the browser, not an audio file. Distinct patterns for break-start and focus-resume, so you know which without looking.
- Browser notification. Optional, and off by default because it needs your permission. Useful when the tab is in another window.
On iPhone and iPad, web notifications only work after you add the page to your Home Screen. The full-screen reminder and the sound work regardless, which is why they are the default.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Space — start, pause or resume (when you are not typing in a field)
- Esc — dismiss the full-screen break reminder
How the countdown stays accurate
Most web timers count down by subtracting one every second. Browsers throttle hidden tabs, so those timers quietly lose minutes. This one stores the moment the interval should end and computes the remaining time from the clock each time it paints. Switching tabs, locking your screen or putting a laptop to sleep does not change when the interval ends — it only changes how promptly the alert can reach you.
Related
- 20-20-20 Timer — the stripped-down version, one button, fixed interval.
- The 20-20-20 rule — where it comes from and what it can realistically do.
- Color temperature chart — pick desk lighting that matches the time of day.
Frequently asked questions
Which break interval should I pick?
If your main complaint is tired or dry eyes, use 20-20-20: the breaks are short enough that you will actually take them. If your back and neck ache, use 30/5 or 50/10 so you have time to stand up and walk. Pomodoro (25/5) is a good default when you are trying to protect focus rather than fix a physical symptom.
Does the timer keep running if I close the tab?
No. This is a web page, not a background service. Your place in the current interval is saved, so reopening the page resumes a running countdown that has not yet expired. If the deadline passed while the page was closed, you land on the next phase, paused.
Why did my reminder arrive late?
Browsers throttle timers in hidden tabs to save battery, sometimes to one wake-up per minute. The countdown you see is always correct because it is derived from a fixed end timestamp, but the alert can be delayed. Keep the tab visible, or pin it, if you need the reminder exactly on time.
Are my stats uploaded anywhere?
No. Settings and today’s break count live in your browser’s localStorage and never leave your device. Clearing site data resets them. There is no account and no server-side profile.
Can I use this with the Pomodoro Technique?
Yes — pick the Pomodoro preset for 25 minutes of work and a 5-minute break. The technique’s longer 15–30 minute break after four cycles is not automated here; use the custom interval or simply take a longer break when you notice you have done four.