The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for breaking optical fibers. The present method comprises the steps of: clamping an optical fiber at two spaced-apart peripheral areas on opposite sides of the area of intended break; heating the area of the intended break to at least the annealing temperature of the fiber; scoring the fiber along the line of intended break; and either bending and pulling or pulling the fiber apart to produce a break with a flat end surface. The heating step may also be advantageously employed to melt or evaporate a jacket surrounding the optical fiber adjacent to the area of intended break.