What this calculator does
The Pomodoro technique breaks work into fixed intervals, conventionally 25 minutes, separated by short breaks with a longer break every fourth interval. Three hours of work needs 8 pomodoros, and with breaks it occupies 4 hours 25 minutes of elapsed time.
The gap between work time and elapsed time is the useful output. Three hours of intended work turns into nearly four and a half hours at the desk, which is the figure to plan a day around. Ignoring the breaks is how afternoons run out unexpectedly.
The formula
The number of pomodoros is the task time divided by the work interval, rounded up. Breaks are inserted between them, with a long break replacing the short one every n intervals. Total elapsed time is the work plus all the breaks. The final pomodoro is not followed by a break, since the session has ended.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pomodoro | One work interval, conventionally 25 minutes. |
| Short break | Typically 5 minutes, taken between pomodoros. |
| Long break | Typically 15 to 30 minutes, taken every fourth pomodoro. |
| Elapsed time | Work plus breaks, which is what the day actually costs. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Task length (minutes) | Estimated task time in minutes, excluding breaks. |
| Work interval (minutes) | Length of each work interval. 25 minutes is the conventional figure. |
| Short break (minutes) | Short break length in minutes. |
| Long break (minutes) | Long break length in minutes. |
| Pomodoros before a long break | How many pomodoros before a long break. Four is conventional. |
When to use it
Planning a working day
Converting a task estimate into elapsed time shows whether the day actually has room for it, which the raw estimate does not.
Structuring a study session
Fixed intervals with enforced breaks suit sustained study better than working until tired, and the plan gives a concrete shape to follow.
Adjusting the interval length
Twenty-five minutes suits some work and not other work. Running 50 minute intervals shows how the break overhead changes.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How long does each task really take?
A range of task durations with the full session time including breaks.
| Task time | Pomodoros needed | Total time, breaks included | Pure work time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 min | 3 | 1 h 25 min | 1 h 15 min |
| 120 min | 5 | 2 h 40 min | 2 h 5 min |
| 180 min | 8 | 4 h 25 min | 3 h 20 min |
| 300 min | 12 | 6 h 40 min | 5 h 0 min |
Questions
Why 25 minutes?
It was the interval Francesco Cirillo used with a kitchen timer when developing the technique in the late 1980s, and the name comes from that tomato-shaped timer. There is nothing special about the number, and many people find 45 or 50 minutes suits deeper work better.
What if I finish early or overrun?
The convention is to keep the interval intact: if the task finishes early, spend the rest of the interval reviewing or on something related. If it overruns, stop at the timer and continue in the next one. The discipline is the point.
Do the breaks have to be away from the desk?
It works considerably better if they are. The break is meant to be genuine rest, and switching from one screen task to another provides very little of it. Standing up and moving is the usual recommendation.
Does the technique suit all work?
No. It suits work that can be interrupted at a fixed point, which rules out anything requiring long uninterrupted concentration to reach a productive state. Many people find it excellent for administrative work and frustrating for deep creative work.
For meeting costs in working time, see the meeting cost calculator. For converting hours worked into pay, see the hours worked calculator.