52/17 Timer: Work 52 Minutes, Rest 17
Focus
52:00
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Time to focus
Tasks
Nothing here yet. Add the one thing you want this session to move forward.
Focus
52:00
Time to focus
Nothing here yet. Add the one thing you want this session to move forward.
52 min focus · 17 min breaks
The timer above alternates 52 minutes of focused work with a 17-minute break. There is no separate long break: every break is 17 minutes. Add what you want to finish as a task, then press Start.
The numbers come from the time-tracking company DeskTime, which looked at the habits of its most productive users in 2014. On average they worked for about 52 minutes and then took breaks of about 17 minutes.
That is a pattern observed among one app's users, not a controlled experiment, so treat 52/17 as a well-tested starting point rather than a law.
Seventeen minutes is long enough to properly switch off, which is the point. Leave your desk: take a short walk, eat something, stretch, or talk to someone. Checking email or social media keeps your attention busy and cancels most of the benefit.
If you are restless by minute 35, start with the classic 25/5 Pomodoro timer. If you like long blocks but the 17-minute break feels too long, try the 50/10 timer. You can also change both lengths in Settings.
Work with full focus for 52 minutes, then take a complete 17-minute break away from work. Repeat through the day.
No. Every break is 17 minutes, so in this timer the short and long breaks are both set to 17 minutes.
Yes. Open Settings to set any focus and break length. Your lengths are saved in your browser, so they are ready the next time you visit.