Calculator Inputs
Enter your wake/sleep window and tasks. The tool scores energy by time, then schedules high-effort work when you’re most capable.
Example data table
Use this sample task set to validate your scheduling logic.
| Task | Duration | Priority | Energy need | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep work: report writing | 90 | 5 | 5 | 12:00 |
| Email triage | 30 | 3 | 2 | — |
| Project meeting | 60 | 4 | 3 | 16:00 |
| Workout | 45 | 3 | 4 | — |
| Admin tasks | 60 | 2 | 2 | — |
Formula used
The calculator produces an Energy Score for each time slot, then matches tasks to slots.
- B baseline readiness (default 0.55).
- C(t) circadian component with two peaks and an afternoon dip.
- U(t) ultradian rhythm using a 90-minute sine wave.
- M(t) meal dip (post-meal drop centered near 75 minutes).
- K(t) caffeine bump (centered near 60 minutes after intake).
- S stress penalty (increases with stress level).
How to use this calculator
- Set your wake and sleep times to define the planning window.
- Choose a chronotype to shift peaks earlier or later.
- Add meals and caffeine times if they affect your day.
- Enter tasks with duration, priority, and energy need.
- Click Generate Schedule to see results above the form.
- Export the plan using the CSV or PDF buttons.
Energy-aware scheduling for higher daily output
This scheduler models a daily energy curve between wake and sleep. Most people show a late‑morning rise, an afternoon dip, and a smaller early‑evening rebound. By converting your day into fixed time slots, the calculator estimates when focus is naturally higher. It then assigns demanding work to high‑energy blocks and lighter tasks to moderate blocks. The goal is fewer context switches and better output per hour with less fatigue.
Ultradian cycles and recovery breaks
Focus is not constant inside a peak. Research-inspired planning often uses ultradian cycles near ninety minutes, followed by brief recovery. The calculator’s break rule adds a suggested break after a chosen work interval, commonly 60–90 minutes. Short breaks of 5–15 minutes help maintain attention and reduce decision fatigue. If your schedule is dense, these micro‑pauses also create buffer time for overruns, transitions, and quick notes and hydration.
Meal dips and caffeine timing effects
Meals and stimulants can shift performance across the day. Many people experience a post‑meal slowdown 45–90 minutes after eating, especially after large lunches. The calculator applies a temporary dip after each meal time to reflect this pattern. Caffeine, on the other hand, typically peaks around 30–120 minutes after intake. Adding coffee or tea times creates a bump that can support meetings, writing, or analysis without forcing all‑day intensity.
Priority, effort matching, and deadline control
Task entries include duration, priority, energy need, and optional deadlines. Priority drives what must be placed first, while energy need sets the preferred energy target for a time block. For example, energy need 5 aims for the strongest focus windows, while energy need 1 tolerates lower‑energy periods. Deadlines restrict placement so tasks finish before a specified time. This combination balances urgency, effort, and realism inside your available day in one view.
Interpreting results and tuning your settings
Use the energy snapshot to validate whether the curve matches your lived experience. If your best work happens later, choose the evening chronotype to shift peaks. Smaller slot sizes, such as 10–15 minutes, increase placement precision, while 20–30 minute slots simplify planning. Stress level reduces usable energy, so high stress may push deep work earlier and reserve afternoons for routine work. Exported CSV and PDF outputs help share the plan.
FAQs
How does the calculator decide the “best” time for a task?
It scores each slot from 0–100 and searches for contiguous free blocks. High energy‑need tasks prefer higher scores, while priority and deadlines add bonuses that influence placement.
What should I enter for energy need versus priority?
Use priority for importance and consequences. Use energy need for cognitive load: 4–5 for deep work, 2–3 for meetings, and 1–2 for routine admin.
Can I plan an overnight shift?
Yes. Set sleep time earlier than wake time to create a window that crosses midnight. The scheduler wraps times correctly and still exports a readable plan.
Why do my tasks show as “unscheduled”?
Unscheduled items occur when total task time exceeds the available window, or deadlines are too tight. Reduce durations, lower break frequency, widen the day window, or split large tasks.
How accurate is the energy curve?
It is a practical estimate based on common circadian and ultradian patterns plus your meal, caffeine, and stress inputs. Use it to guide decisions, then adjust settings until it matches your reality.
What is the best slot size to use?
Choose 10–15 minutes for precision and varied tasks. Choose 20–30 minutes for simpler days with fewer switches. Smaller slots can increase computation and produce more granular schedules.