Meditation Timer with Interval Bells
20:00
Minutes
Ready
Settings
Advanced
Meditation Complete
0:00
time meditated
This meditation timer with interval bells lets you choose a light chime at the halfway point, every 5 minutes or every 10 minutes, between an opening and a closing singing bowl. It opens at 20 minutes with a bell every 5 minutes. Free, with no sign-up.
What Is a Meditation Timer with Interval Bells?
Interval bells are soft signals during a sit. They do not end the session; they invite you to notice where your attention is and return to the breath. This page is our meditation timer online with the Interval tab open.
Choosing Your Interval
| Setting | Best for | Example (20 min) |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Short sits, or when bells distract you | No reminders |
| Halfway | One check-in for posture | Chime at 10:00 |
| Every 5m | Longer sits, noting practice | Chimes at 5, 10, 15 |
| Every 10m | Long sits with few interruptions | Chime at 10:00 |
An interval bell that would land within five seconds of the end is skipped, so it never overlaps the closing bowl.
Interval Bells in Different Traditions
Vipassana and noting
Regular bells help you notice whether you are still noting, or lost in a story.
Zazen
Longer periods are often divided by bells. Every 10 minutes gives a similar rhythm at home.
Body scan
Use every 5 minutes to move attention to the next area of the body.
Using a Meditation Timer with Interval Bells in Count Down Mode
In the Count Down tab, open Settings and turn on Interval Bell. The timer uses the interval you picked in the Interval tab, or every 5 minutes if none is set. Want only a single check-in on a shorter sit? Try the 15 minute meditation timer with its halfway bell.
Interval Bell Timer FAQ
Do interval bells sound different from the closing bell?
Yes. Interval bells are a light, short chime; the opening and closing bells are a deeper singing bowl.
Can I set a custom interval such as every 3 minutes?
Not yet. The timer offers halfway, every 5 minutes and every 10 minutes, which cover most practices.
Will interval bells ring in a background tab?
Yes. All bells are scheduled when you press Begin, so they ring on time even if you switch tabs.
Do interval bells work in Duration mode?
No. Duration is an open-ended sit with no planned length, so it opens with a single bell and rings the closing bells only when you press End.
Updated · Not medical advice