The Pomodoro technique
The Pomodoro technique is a simple way to work in short, timed blocks. This page explains the steps and gives you a timer to use now.
You do not need a special tool. A timer and a list of tasks are enough.
The timer starts with 25 minutes of focus, 5 minutes of short break and 15 minutes of long break.
25:00
Focus
Focus session 1 of 4
Keys: Space starts or pauses. R resets.
Focus sessions done today: 0
Settings
How to use it
- Choose one task from your list.
- Set the timer for 25 minutes and press Start.
- Work on the task until the bell sounds.
- Take a short break of 5 minutes.
- After four focus sessions, take a long break of 15 minutes.
- Repeat the steps with the next task.
Where the method comes from
Francesco Cirillo made the method in the late 1980s, when he was a university student. He used a kitchen timer in the shape of a tomato.
Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato. The name stays with the method today.
The rules of a Pomodoro
In the classic method, you do not split a Pomodoro. You work on one task for the whole block.
If something stops you for a long time, you start a new block. Write down the small things that come up. Do them after the session.
What to do in a break
Stand up and walk a little. Drink some water. Rest your eyes.
Do not start new work in a break. Do not read work messages.
How to plan your day
Write your tasks in a list. Guess how many Pomodoros each task needs. Cross out a task when you finish it.
The times of 25 and 5 minutes are a start, not a rule. Some people use 50 minutes of focus and 10 minutes of break. Use the settings to find your own times.
Other free tools for study
Practice your speed and accuracy with the typing test. Work out your grades with the GPA calculator. Both tools are free and run in your browser.
Questions
Who made the Pomodoro technique?
Francesco Cirillo made it in the late 1980s. He used a kitchen timer in the shape of a tomato. Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato.
What do I do when something stops my session?
Write down what came up. Go back to your task if the stop is short. After a long stop, start a new session. Do the new thing in a break or after the session.
Can a Pomodoro be longer or shorter than 25 minutes?
Yes. The 25 minutes are a start. Change the times in the settings and keep the ones that suit your work.
What should I do in a break?
Do something that is not work. Stand up, walk, drink water or rest your eyes. Do not start a new task or read work messages.
How many Pomodoros are in a day?
There is no fixed number. It depends on your tasks and on your day. The page counts the focus sessions that you finish today, so you can see your own number.