Meditation Timer Online

How to Use This Meditation Timer Online

The timer at the top of this page is ready the moment it loads. You only need three steps, and the first one is optional.

1. Choose a mode and a length

Count Down times a fixed session. Duration is an open sit that counts up until you press End. Interval adds soft reminder bells during a countdown. Use the slider, the − and + buttons or a preset to set anything from 1 to 60 minutes.

2. Press Begin and start the sit

The timer starts the moment you press Begin: a single singing bowl bell opens the sit, and the countdown runs from that first second. Use the fading tone to settle into your posture.

3. Let the bells keep time

Close your eyes. If you chose interval bells, a light chime marks each interval. When the time is up, three bowl strikes bring you back, so you never need to check the clock.

A Meditation Timer With Bells That Keep Time

Every bell is synthesized live in your browser with the Web Audio API, so nothing has to download before you begin. The opening and closing bells are a warm singing bowl; the interval bell is a lighter chime, so you can tell them apart with your eyes closed.

Bells are scheduled on the audio clock the moment you press Begin. That means a meditation timer with bells keeps ringing on time even if you switch to another tab. If you prefer the tone of a real bowl, try the singing bowl timer, or load your own recording under Settings → Bell → Custom….

Free Meditation Timer, No Sign-Up or App

This is a free meditation timer with no account, no trial and nothing to install. Your settings are saved in your own browser, so the timer remembers your last length and volume the next time you open it.

• No sign-up and no app download
• Works on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and tablets
• Settings stay on your device
• Screen stays awake during a sit where your browser supports it

Silent Meditation Timer and Open Sits

Silent sits

Turn the Sound slider down to zero for a silent meditation timer. The timer still counts down and the digits glow softly when a bell would have rung, which is useful in shared spaces.

A countdown or an open-ended sit

Use Count Down when you want a clear end. Use Duration when you would rather sit until you feel ready: it counts up from 0:00, rings the closing bells when you press End, and saves your time.

A Mindfulness Timer for Daily Practice

A daily habit matters more than a long session. These lengths are good starting points for a mindfulness timer:

Longer sits are easier with reminders. A meditation timer with interval bells helps you notice when attention has drifted.

How Long Should You Meditate?

Five to ten minutes a day is a comfortable start for most people. Research on brief daily practice suggests that around 10 to 15 minutes, kept up for several weeks, can improve attention and mood in beginners. Add a few minutes each week once sitting feels easy.

ZenTimer is not medical advice. If you are dealing with anxiety, depression or trauma, talk to a qualified professional.

Tips for Using an Online Meditation Timer

Keep the tab open

Bells are scheduled in advance, so switching tabs is fine, but closing the tab ends the timer.

Mind the screen lock on phones

The timer asks your browser to keep the screen awake. If your phone locks anyway, it may pause the timer and the closing bell may not ring. For long sits, keep the phone plugged in or turn off auto-lock.

Check the silent switch on iPhone

On newer versions of Safari the bells play as media and ignore the silent switch. On older versions, turn the switch off and raise the volume.