Chain-of-Thought Reasoning Prompt
Force step-by-step reasoning before answering to improve accuracy on complex problems.
Solve the following problem by thinking step-by-step before giving your final answer. Show your reasoning at each stage. Problem: [describe problem] Use this structure: Step 1: [identify what is being asked] Step 2: [break down the relevant facts or constraints] Step 3: [apply the reasoning or calculation] Step 4: [verify the intermediate result] Final answer: [concise conclusion] If you are uncertain at any step, state that explicitly.
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How to use this prompt
Study the structure, then adapt it to your own task. The key is giving the model a clear role, format, and evaluation criteria.
- Copy the full prompt above.
- Replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
- Paste it into chatgpt, claude, gemini (or your preferred AI tool).
- Iterate on the output: add constraints, ask follow-ups, or combine multiple results.
Why this prompt works
It gives the AI a clear role, specific inputs, and an output format. That structure reduces vague responses and gives you a draft you can refine in minutes instead of hours.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use chain-of-thought?
Use it for math, logic, multi-step decisions, or whenever accuracy matters more than speed.
Does it increase response length?
Yes. The trade-off is better reasoning and easier verification of the answer.
