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Pomodoro technique: the 25-minute work cycle explained

How the Pomodoro® Technique works: 25 minutes of focused work, a short break, and a longer break after four rounds. Timings from Francesco Cirillo's method.

The cycle

1. Pick one task.
2. Work for 25 minutes (one “Pomodoro”).
3. Take a short break of about 3–5 minutes.
4. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break of about 15–30 minutes.

A two-hour block

Time	Activity
0:00–0:25	Pomodoro 1
0:25–0:30	Short break
0:30–0:55	Pomodoro 2
0:55–1:00	Short break
1:00–1:25	Pomodoro 3
1:25–1:30	Short break
1:30–1:55	Pomodoro 4
1:55–2:15	Long break (20 min)

Use the stopwatch to see how long a task really takes, then count it in Pomodoros.

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FAQ

Who created the Pomodoro Technique?

Francesco Cirillo. Pomodoro® is a registered trademark; this page only explains the timings.

Can I change the 25 minutes?

The original method uses 25 minutes. Many people adapt it, but then it is no longer the classic cycle.

Sources

• The Pomodoro® Technique (official site, Francesco Cirillo)

Last checked: 29 October 2026.

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