Free Online Meditation Timer

A meditation timer is a tool designed specifically for meditation practice. Unlike phone alarms or kitchen timers, meditation timers use gentle sounds like Tibetan bowls or bells to signal the beginning and end of your session. Many also include interval reminders and ambient background sounds to enhance your practice. The key difference is in the psychological design—meditation timers respect the peaceful state you cultivate, using gradual fade-in sounds rather than jarring alarms.

Using our timer is simple: First, select your duration using the preset buttons (1-60 minutes) or enter a custom time. Next, choose your preferred start and end sounds—we recommend the Tibetan Bowl for its authentic resonance. Optionally, select an ambient background sound like rain or forest to mask environmental noise. If practicing for longer sessions, enable interval reminders. Finally, press Start and begin your meditation. The timer will gently signal when to begin and when your session ends.

Yes, our meditation timer is completely free with no hidden costs, subscriptions, or premium tiers. All features—including all sounds, interval reminders, and ambient backgrounds—are available to every user. We believe meditation tools should be accessible to everyone regardless of ability to pay. Our mission is supported by keeping the site minimal and efficient.

The gradual fade-in (typically 10-15 seconds) is an intentional design feature based on neuroscience research. Sudden loud sounds trigger the amygdala's fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones that immediately end your peaceful state. A gradual fade-in allows your brain to process the sound without shock, preserving the calm you've cultivated during practice. This feature is especially helpful for people with ADHD, sensory processing sensitivities, or anxiety.

Research suggests that 15-20 minutes is a sweet spot for measurable benefits, but the best duration is whatever you can consistently maintain. Beginners often start with 5-10 minutes and gradually increase over time. Consistency matters more than duration—a daily 10-minute practice yields better results than an occasional hour-long session. Listen to your body and mind; some days you may meditate longer, other days shorter is perfectly fine.

Yes! Our timer is fully responsive and works on any device—smartphones, tablets, and computers. The interface automatically adapts to your screen size for optimal usability. Additionally, the timer works offline after the first load, so you can meditate anywhere without worrying about internet connection or data usage. Simply bookmark the page or add it to your home screen for quick access.

No account required. Ever. We don't collect your email, track your usage, or store any personal data. Just visit the site and start meditating. This is part of our commitment to privacy—we believe your meditation practice is personal and private. No data collection means no targeted advertising, no security risks from data breaches, and complete peace of mind.

Interval reminders are gentle bells that sound periodically during your meditation session. They're commonly used in mindfulness meditation to help you maintain awareness of the present moment. Many practitioners find their mind wanders without realizing it—a soft bell every 5-10 minutes serves as a prompt to return attention to breath or body sensations. Interval reminders are especially useful for longer sessions (20+ minutes) but can be distracting for beginners. Experiment to see what works for your practice.

Ambient sounds serve multiple purposes: They mask distracting environmental noises (traffic, neighbors, electronics), create a consistent auditory environment regardless of location, and can trigger relaxation responses through conditioned associations. Nature sounds like rain and forest are particularly effective because they've been shown to lower cortisol levels and promote parasympathetic nervous system activation. Our singing bowl drone provides a continuous tonal anchor that many practitioners find supports concentration.

Phone timers are designed for utility—cooking, meetings, reminders—with loud, abrupt sounds meant to grab attention. Meditation timers are designed for tranquility. Key differences include: gradual fade-in sounds that preserve your meditative state (vs jarring alarms), authentic acoustic recordings vs synthetic beeps, interval reminders for awareness practice, ambient sound masking, and no notifications or interruptions during practice. The psychology matters—a phone timer signals "time is running out" while a meditation timer signals "you have space to be present."