Tasks 'n Timers
90 minute timer
A full ninety-minute block for your hardest work.
Space starts and pausesKeep this tab open to hear the chime
Why people work in 90 minute blocks
The idea usually traces back to the sleep researcher Nathaniel Kleitman, who proposed a rest and activity cycle of roughly 90 minutes running through both sleep and the waking day. The sleep half is well established. The daytime half is less certain, so treat 90 minutes as a practical length, not a law of the body.
It's practical because it's long. Big pieces of work, like an essay, a design or a hard bug, often need that much unbroken time to get anywhere.
How to get through 90 minutes
Do one block on your most important work, early in the day if you can. Pick one task and clear everything else away first. Take a proper break at the chime: twenty minutes or so, away from the screen.
Frequently asked questions
Is 90 minutes too long to focus?
For many people, on many days, yes. It works best on work you care about. If it's too long today, the 50 and 60 minute timers are close by.
Can I pause if someone interrupts me?
Yes. Press Pause or the Space bar, and press again to carry on.
Will a background tab slow the timer down?
No. It's kept by the clock, so the time stays right. The chime can be up to a minute late in a tab you've left in the background.