Context-Switch Cost Calculator
Research shows it takes an average of 23 minutes to refocus after an interruption. Find out what that's really costing you.
Context-Switch Cost Calculator
2.3h of your 8h workday lost to refocusing
72
full work days lost per year to context switching
Based on 6 interruptions x 23min refocus (Gloria Mark, UC Irvine)
Why this matters for developers
Software development requires deep focus. When you're interrupted -- a Slack message, an impromptu meeting, or even just checking email -- your brain needs time to reload its mental model of the problem. This "context-switch tax" compounds across every interruption in your day.
For developers with ADHD, this effect can be even more pronounced. Our brains may take longer to rebuild working memory after an interruption, but we also have a superpower: when we achieve deep focus, the output can be extraordinary.