UsefulTab
Pomodoro & Countdown Timer
Run Pomodoro focus sessions or a plain countdown, with a beep and notification.
Press Start to begin the Pomodoro timer
Choose Pomodoro or a custom countdown, set your lengths, then press Start. The countdown runs right here in your browser, with an end-of-phase beep and an optional notification.
Runs entirely in your browserFocus and countdown timing, locally
This timer does two jobs. In Pomodoro mode it runs focus sessions separated by short breaks, with a longer break after a set number of cycles — the classic technique for staying focused without burning out. In custom mode it simply counts down the minutes and seconds you set. The remaining time is computed from the wall clock rather than by counting ticks, so it stays accurate even if your browser throttles the tab in the background. When a phase ends the tool plays a short beep and, if you have granted permission, shows a browser notification. Everything runs in your browser — no settings or timings are ever uploaded.
Common questions
What is the Pomodoro technique?
It is a time-management method where you work in focused intervals — traditionally 25 minutes — separated by short breaks, usually 5 minutes. After a set number of focus intervals (commonly four) you take a longer break of around 15 minutes. Breaking work into fixed cycles helps sustain concentration and makes large tasks feel manageable.
Does the timer keep running if the tab is in the background?
The timing itself stays accurate because the tool measures remaining time against your device's clock rather than counting ticks, so a throttled or backgrounded tab does not drift. However, the beep and browser notification need the tab to still be alive — if the browser fully suspends or you close the tab, they may be delayed or skipped. Keeping the tab open (even in the background) is the most reliable way to get the end-of-phase alert.
How do notifications work?
When you start a timer the tool asks your browser for notification permission the first time. If you allow it, you get a desktop notification when each phase ends. Permission is only requested on that first start — never automatically on page load — and if you deny it the timer still works, just without notifications.
Will it make a sound?
Yes. At the end of each phase the tool plays a short beep generated with the Web Audio API — there is no external sound file to download. If your browser blocks audio until you interact with the page, starting the timer counts as that interaction, so the beep will play.
Are my settings or timings uploaded anywhere?
No. The timer runs entirely in your browser with JavaScript. Your focus and break lengths, cycle counts, and countdown values stay on your device and are never sent to a server — it is fully client-side and private.