Deep Focus
50/10 Timer
Longer focus blocks for deep work. 50 minutes of concentration followed by 10-minute breaks—built for coding, essays, and complex problem sets.
Settings
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Session Log
Data stored locally and reset daily.
Why longer blocks work
The 50/10 method is a popular adaptation of the Pomodoro Technique, not Francesco Cirillo's original method. The original uses 25-minute work intervals with 5-minute breaks. The 50/10 variant doubles both the work and break, maintaining roughly the same ratio but for tasks that need more time to build and sustain focus.
Longer blocks suit work with high context-switching cost: writing code requires time to load the problem into working memory, essays need sustained thought to maintain voice and flow, and problem sets benefit from uninterrupted space to explore multiple approaches. If you are constantly reorienting yourself in the first 10 minutes of a work block, 50 minutes may suit you better than 25.
That said, 50 minutes is not universally superior. It is harder to sustain. If you find yourself distracted or burned out, return to 25-minute intervals or try the even longer 90-minute focus timer.
A 3-block session
| Block | Duration | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50 min | Focus |
| 10 min | Short break | |
| 2 | 50 min | Focus |
| 10 min | Short break | |
| 3 | 50 min | Focus |
| 20 min | Long break | |
| Total | 3h 10m | |
Three 50-minute focus blocks with breaks, ending in a long break. Adjust the settings to match your preferred pace and session length.
50/10 vs 25/5: Trade-offs
The 50/10 method cuts context-switching overhead but demands more stamina. You may produce more continuous work in fewer sessions, but 50 minutes is harder to commit to if you are distracted or low on energy. The 25/5 method works well for shorter tasks and building momentum, while 50/10 suits deep, long-horizon work. Experiment and pick whichever rhythm you can sustain without burning out.
Getting started
- Pick a focused task. Choose one thing to work on—a coding feature, an essay section, a problem set. Identify the boundaries so you know what "done" means.
- Set up your space. Close email, silence Slack, and put your phone out of reach. Fifty minutes without interruption is more valuable than 100 minutes with context switching.
- Start the timer. Click the Focus button and begin. The timer will ring when the block ends.
- Take the break seriously. Use your 10 minutes to move, hydrate, and let your mind rest. Do not code, write, or work during the break.
- Repeat or adjust. After three blocks, take the 20-minute long break. If 50 minutes feels too long, lower it to 45 or 40. If it feels too short, try 60. The timer adapts to you.
When 50/10 does not fit
Lab work, exams, and real-time collaboration do not respect a timer. Some days your energy or focus is low and pushing for 50 minutes feels forced. On those days, drop to 25-minute intervals or skip the timer altogether and work by momentum.
The timer is a tool for self-directed work, not a law. Use it when it serves you; set it aside without guilt when it does not.
About the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It uses 25-minute work intervals with 5-minute breaks, and a longer 15–30 minute break after four complete cycles. "Pomodoro" and "Pomodoro Technique" are registered trademarks of Francesco Cirillo. This 50/10 timer is an independent adaptation that respects the spirit of time-boxing without any affiliation or endorsement. The original method is documented at the official Pomodoro Technique website.