Take a Break
Free
Everything you need to build the habit.
- Timer and built-in rhythms
- Break overlays and prompts
- Smart Pause for fullscreen apps
- Stats and break history
Take a Break · for macOS
Look up. Stretch. Sip water.
Take a Break lives in your menu bar and nudges you to rest every 20 minutes — then waits politely while you're in a meeting or working fullscreen.
Next Break In
20:00
Smart Pause is on. If you're in fullscreen when the timer runs out, your break waits until you're done.
20 min
Focus
20 sec
Break
On
Smart Pause
Free
To get started
Take the tour
One calm window.
Everything you need.
This is the real Settings window, rebuilt for the web. Click around.
Timer
Choose a rhythm that matches your workday. Built-in rhythms are free; Custom Rhythm lets you fine-tune the schedule when you want something more personal.
Custom Rhythm LockedUpgrade for custom focus, break, and prompt settings.
Focus45 minBreak2 min
Smart Pause
Let Take A Break wait for a better moment. Smart Pause protects your next break when fullscreen work or meetings would make it awkward.
OnFullscreen
OnMeetings
Pause timer in fullscreenWhen enabled, the timer waits near the end of a session until fullscreen ends, unless you choose Resume Anyway from the menu bar.
Fullscreen sessions won’t quietly burn through your focus timer.
Pause timer in meetings PROWhen a meeting is detected, the timer waits near the end of a session until the call wraps up.
Meetings won’t silently consume your focus timer.
Stats
Build momentum with small wins. Your streaks, saved focus sessions, and recent break mix all live here.
CURRENT STREAK
5day streakYou've hit at least a 50% break completion rate each day in a row.
12 daysBest streak
48Breaks this month
19Holds that saved a break
Consistency
Last 12 weeks
Less More
Breakdown
BREAK MIX
Take a Break Pro
The core timer is free to use. Take a Break Pro is a one-time purchase for custom schedules and meeting-aware pauses.
Upgrade to ProUpgrade once to get Custom Rhythm and Meeting Pause.
Included for everyone
- Timer and built-in rhythms
- Break overlays and prompts
- Smart Pause for fullscreen apps
- Stats and break history
Included with Pro
- Custom Rhythm schedule and prompts
- Smart Pause for meetings
Upgrade to Pro $3.99
Restore Purchases
Pick a rhythm. Active Break mixes all three prompts; the 20-20-20 Rule is just for your eyes.
When it's time
Your screen softly dims.
Then gets out of the way.
Look away
Find something 20 feet out · let your eyes rest
Skip anytime. Every prompt has a Skip button in the corner. Skips just show up in Stats — no guilt trips.
Clicks pass through. The dim is gentle, so you're never locked out of your Mac.
Resume Anyway. Paused for a meeting? Start your break right away from the menu bar.
Pricing
Free to use.
Pro if you want more.
Take a Break Pro
$3.99
Unlock once, keep it forever. No subscription.
- Everything in Free
- Custom Rhythm schedule and prompts
- Smart Pause for meetings
- Family Sharing supported
Pro is an in-app purchase. Price shown in USD and may vary by region.
Questions, answered.
Is Take a Break really free?
Yes. The timer, built-in rhythms, break overlays, fullscreen Smart Pause, settings, and stats are all free. Pro is an optional one-time purchase for Custom Rhythm and Meeting Pause.
Will it pop up in the middle of a call?
Not if you don't want it to. Smart Pause holds your break while an app is fullscreen, and Pro adds Meeting Pause, which waits while your microphone is in use. You can always choose Resume Anyway.
Can I skip a break?
Of course. Every prompt has a Skip button in the corner. Skipped breaks simply show up in your stats.
What is the 20-20-20 rule?
Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It's a simple habit eye-care professionals often suggest for reducing screen-related eye strain, and it's one of the built-in rhythms.
What do I need to run it?
A Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Take a Break lives in the menu bar, so it won't add an icon to your Dock.
NEXT BREAK IN
Start your first streak today.
Download Take a Break free. Your eyes, back, and water glass will thank you.