Meditation timer
A free meditation timer preset to ten minutes with a bell that fades instead of blaring. There are no ads or notifications in the way, and the page works with the screen dimmed, so you can sit without a phone buzzing beside you. Also searched as mindfulness timer, meditation bell timer, zen timer.
Set it up once
- Pick Bell in the Sound menu. It plays three soft tones at the end.
- Optionally tick Notify if you prefer a silent desktop notification instead of sound.
- Press F for a plain fullscreen ring, or close your eyes and let the tab title keep the time.
Your sound choice is remembered for next time.
Suggested lengths
| Stage | Length | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First week | 3–5 min | Builds the habit without strain |
| Weeks 2–4 | 10 min | Long enough to settle after the first restless minutes |
| Established practice | 20 min | A common daily length in many traditions |
| Longer sits | 30–45 min | Use interval bells so you are not watching the clock |
The 5 minute timer, 10 minute timer and 20 minute timer pages load those lengths directly.
A simple protocol
- Posture: sit upright on a chair or cushion, hands resting, eyes closed or lowered.
- Breath: feel the air at the nostrils or the belly rising. Do not change it.
- Noting: when you notice you are thinking, silently label it "thinking" and return to the breath.
- Ending: when the bell rings, take one deeper breath before opening your eyes.
Interval bells
For a longer sit with reminders, set 5 minutes and tick Repeat. A bell rings every five minutes until you press Space. Each interval runs a second or so longer than five minutes because of the bell. Breathing exercises with counted phases are easier on the breathing timer, and for work sessions after you sit, try the focus timer.
Frequently asked questions
Which sound should I use for meditation?
Choose Bell from the Sound menu. It is a soft, ringing tone that fades out, closer to a singing bowl than an alarm.
How long should a beginner meditate?
Three to five minutes a day for the first week, then ten. Consistency matters more than length.
Can I get an interval bell every few minutes?
Yes. Set the interval length, for example 5 minutes, tick Repeat, and a bell rings each time. Press Space when you want to stop.
All timers
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