The 52/17 Method
52 minutes of complete focus, 17 minutes of complete rest — the balanced work rhythm used by the most productive workers.
The 52/17 Method is also known as the DeskTime Method or the 52-17 Rule. Based on a large-scale productivity study, this technique uses longer work blocks (52 minutes) and a longer break (17 minutes) than Pomodoro.
Other Rhythms
Work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break; take a long break every 4 sessions with the Pomodoro Technique.
90 minutes of deep focus, 20 minutes of complete rest — a work rhythm that follows the brain's natural peak-focus cycle.
Sort your tasks by urgency and importance into four quadrants; get clear on what to do now, schedule, delegate, or drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 52/17 method?
The 52/17 method is a work rhythm discovered by DeskTime, a time-tracking software company, after analyzing data from millions of users. They found that the most productive 10% of workers focused for 52 minutes without interruption, then rested completely for 17 minutes.
What other names is the 52/17 method known by?
This method is also called the DeskTime Method or the 52-17 Rule.
How is 52/17 different from Pomodoro?
Pomodoro uses 25 minutes of work and a 5-minute break, while 52/17 uses longer work blocks (52 minutes) and a longer break (17 minutes). Pomodoro takes a long break every 4 sessions, while in 52/17 each cycle's break is already long, so there's no separate "long break" rule.
Who is the 52/17 method best suited for?
It's a balanced middle ground for people who find 25 minutes too short and want a deeper work block, but aren't ready for a very long session like 90 minutes.