Pomodoro Technique: How It Works, With a Free Timer
Published
The pomodoro technique splits work into 25-minute blocks with a 5-minute break after each one, and a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes after four blocks. All you need is a list of tasks and a timer.
The Steps
Choose one task. Set a timer for 25 minutes, and work on only that until it ends. Take a 5-minute break. Repeat. After four rounds, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.
Each 25-minute block is one “pomodoro”, the Italian word for tomato. Francesco Cirillo came up with the method as a student, using a kitchen timer shaped like one.
Choosing What to Work On
Write down what you want to get done, and put the biggest task first. If you can’t decide, or every task looks equally dull, type them into a wheel and let it choose. Getting started is often the hardest part.
What to Do on a Break
Get up and move. Stretch, walk around the room, have a drink of water or look out of a window. Leave your phone alone if you can, since five minutes of scrolling rarely feels like a break.
For Homework and Class
Twenty-five minutes can be a long stretch for younger students. Try 10 or 15 minutes of work with a 5-minute break, and build up from there. In class, put a big timer on the projector, so that everyone can see how long is left.
If It Doesn’t Suit You
The numbers aren’t fixed. Some people prefer 45 minutes of work with a 15-minute break, and that works too. Try a few lengths, and keep what fits the task in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a pomodoro?
Twenty-five minutes of work, followed by a 5-minute break. After four of those, take a longer break.
Do I need an app for the pomodoro technique?
No. Any timer will do. Ours runs in a browser with nothing to install, so you can start one right away.
Start Your First Round
A big countdown, set to 25 minutes and ready to start. It’s free, with nothing to install.
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