Grohl released a statement on Tuesday, calling the band "my life," but adding "it's a good thing for all of us to go away for a while."
At the Global Citizen Festival in New York on Saturday, Grohl told fans he didn't know when the band would play together again.
That raised speculation they were breaking up, but he later indicated it was likely more of a hiatus.
Grohl created Foo Fighters in 1994 after his time as the drummer in Nirvana. The band has been one of rock 'n' roll's most enduring critical and commercial successes, winning 11 Grammys, including five earlier this year. Grohl says he's now focused on his forthcoming Sound City documentary and album.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
