diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ec38ba9..ee8d1a2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -8,3 +8,11 @@ documentation](http://mjo.tc/atelier/2009/02/arduino-cli.html
 "Documentation") exists.
 
 If you're using Debian or Ubuntu, you can find this in the arduino-core package.
+
+## Commands
+
+### Serial Monitor
+
+If you have minicom installed, you can run `make monitor` to open the serial
+output. You can use a different serial monitoring tool (e.g. screen) by
+overriding the `SERIAL_MONITOR_BINARY` and `SERIAL_MONITOR_FLAGS` variables.
diff --git a/arduino-mk/Arduino.mk b/arduino-mk/Arduino.mk
index 2d39095..3e7dfe1 100644
--- a/arduino-mk/Arduino.mk
+++ b/arduino-mk/Arduino.mk
@@ -448,6 +448,26 @@ endif
 
 AVRDUDE_ISP_OPTS = -P $(ISP_PORT) $(ISP_PROG)
 
+#######################################################################
+#
+# Serial monitoring
+#
+
+ifndef SERIAL_MONITOR_BAUDRATE
+SERIAL_MONITOR_BAUDRATE = 9600
+endif
+
+ifndef SERIAL_MONITOR_BINARY
+SERIAL_MONITOR_BINARY = minicom
+endif
+
+ifndef SERIAL_MONITOR_FLAGS
+SERIAL_MONITOR_FLAGS = -b $(SERIAL_MONITOR_BAUDRATE) -D $(ARDUINO_PORT)
+endif
+
+ifndef SERIAL_MONITOR_COMMAND
+SERIAL_MONITOR_COMMAND = $(SERIAL_MONITOR_BINARY) $(SERIAL_MONITOR_FLAGS)
+endif
 
 ########################################################################
 #
@@ -505,6 +525,9 @@ depends:	$(DEPS)
 size:		$(OBJDIR) $(TARGET_HEX)
 		$(SIZE) $(TARGET_HEX)
 
+monitor:
+	$(SERIAL_MONITOR_COMMAND)
+
 show_boards:	
 		$(PARSE_BOARD) --boards