In short: this free meditation timer counts down in large numbers and rings a soft bell at the start, at intervals you choose and three times at the end. Pick 3 to 45 minutes or set your own time, press Start and close your eyes; the timer keeps your screen awake while it runs if your device allows it.
The bell is made by your browser, so turn your sound on. While the timer runs, the screen stays awake if your device allows it; keep this page open.
How to use the meditation timer
- Choose how long. Tap a preset or choose “Custom” and type the minutes (up to four hours).
- Add interval bells if you like. A bell every few minutes can bring you back if your mind wanders, or mark the switch between parts of a practice, such as a body scan followed by sitting with the breath.
- Test the bell. Turn your sound on, press “Test the bell” and set the volume so it is clear but soft.
- Press Start. One bell opens the session. Pause if you are interrupted; Resume picks up where you left off.
- Finish slowly. Three bells close the session. Take a moment, notice how you feel, and then get up.
Keep this page open while you sit. On most phones and computers the screen stays on during the session; if yours dims anyway, the bells still ring on time because they are scheduled by your browser’s sound system when you press Start.
How long should you meditate?
There is no correct length. If you are new, five to ten minutes is a good place to start, and a short sit you do most days is worth more than a long one you dread. Many people build up to 20 minutes over a few weeks. Our guide on how to meditate walks you through a first session, and building a consistent practice has ideas for making it a habit.
| If you want to… | Try |
|---|---|
| Start a daily habit | 5 or 10 minutes, no interval bells |
| Notice when your mind wanders | 10 to 20 minutes, a bell every 5 minutes |
| Practice a body scan or yoga nidra | 20 to 30 minutes, lying down, a bell every 10 minutes |
| Sit as you would on a retreat | 30 to 45 minutes, a bell at the halfway point |
What it’s based on
Many meditation groups and retreats use a bell or gong to open and close a sitting, so that no one has to watch a clock. This timer recreates that with a sound made in your browser by the Web Audio API: a few pure tones at bell-like ratios that fade out slowly, a little like a small singing bowl. There are no sound files, nothing is downloaded and nothing is recorded. To keep the screen on, the timer asks your browser for a “screen wake lock”, a standard web feature that some browsers do not support; if it is not available, the timer simply works without it.
As for the practice itself, the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) summarizes research on meditation and mindfulness for stress, anxiety, depression, pain and sleep. Some reviews report benefits, but many of the studies are small or at risk of bias, so the evidence is still developing. Meditation is a practice, not a treatment.
Cautions
NCCIH describes meditation as generally low risk but notes that few studies have looked for harmful effects. One analysis it cites found that about 8 percent of participants had a negative effect, most often anxiety or depression. If sitting in silence brings up distress, open your eyes, stop and talk to a qualified teacher or a mental health professional. If you live with a mental health condition, such as a history of trauma, check with your provider and let any teacher know before you start. Meditation does not replace care for any condition.
Keep exploring
Browse our meditation guides, including mindfulness meditation, loving-kindness meditation and yoga nidra. A few minutes with our breathing pacer is a calm way to settle before you start the timer, and a meditation cushion makes longer sits more comfortable. When you are ready to go deeper, our guides to meditation retreats and silent retreats explain what a day of practice looks like.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I hear the bell?
Check that your device is not muted and that the volume slider is up, then press "Test the bell". On iPhones, the ring/silent switch can silence sounds made by web pages. The bell is created by your browser, so it does not need a download.
Will the timer work with the screen off?
The bells are scheduled when you press Start, so they usually ring on time even if the screen dims. Some phones pause web pages when they lock, so keep this page open and in front. While the timer runs it asks your browser to keep the screen awake.
How long should a beginner meditate?
Five to ten minutes is a good start. Regular short sits are more useful than occasional long ones; many people build up to about 20 minutes over a few weeks.
What are interval bells for?
An interval bell rings every few minutes during the session. It can remind you to come back to your breath if your mind has wandered, or mark the change between parts of a practice. Choose "No interval bells" for an uninterrupted sit.
Sources
- Meditation and Mindfulness: Effectiveness and Safety, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH) (accessed October 6, 2026)
- Web Audio API, MDN Web Docs (accessed October 6, 2026)
- Screen Wake Lock API, MDN Web Docs (accessed October 6, 2026)
Facts checked on October 6, 2026