Free Pomodoro timer structured for 4 complete rounds. Work 25 minutes, rest 5 minutes, repeat four times, then take a 30-minute long break.
Francesco Cirillo's original technique specifies that after 4 Pomodoros you earn a long break (15–30 minutes). This creates a natural work rhythm: 4 rounds = about 2 hours of structured work. The set structure helps your brain anticipate the long break, making the work periods easier to sustain.
4 rounds = 100 minutes (1 hour 40 minutes) of focused work + 20 minutes of short breaks = 2 hours total. Add the 30-minute long break and a full 4-round Pomodoro set takes about 2.5 hours. Two sets per day = 200 minutes (3.3 hours) of focused work — an excellent daily output.
You can, but it's not recommended. Cirillo specifically designed 4 rounds as the maximum before a long break to prevent the cognitive fatigue that builds across extended sessions. If you feel sharp after 4 rounds, the extra 10-minute breaks have been working well — take the long break anyway.
Choose 1–2 related tasks per session, not 4 different unrelated tasks. Context-switching between subjects every 25 minutes defeats the purpose. Better: Round 1–2 on writing, Round 3–4 on editing. Or all 4 rounds on a single complex deliverable. Depth within a session is the goal.
Use a simple paper log or app: each row is a project, each tally is a completed Pomodoro. Over time, your daily Pomodoro count per project shows where your time actually goes. This is one of the most powerful insights the Pomodoro Technique provides — hard data on attention allocation.