Meditation Timer Online

Discover Meditation Timer Online, an easy and free tool to time your meditation sessions.

No need to download an app. There is no need to register an account. You do not have to get 40 push notifications before you are even sitting down to upgrade to the premium version.

Sometimes, though, all you need is a timer, and you can start it in browser tab, set it for the number of minutes you have, and let it be your friend until it beepers at you and tells you that it's ending.

Everyone needs a meditation timer online to help them. It describes how to use it, how to choose the length and sound of your practice and compares it to the meditation apps people typically use.

What is an online Meditation Timer?

An online meditation timer is a web-based timer that plays a sound (usually a Tibetan singing bowl, a bell, or a gong) when you start and end your meditation session, rather than the usual alarm. Most also allow you to set interval bells as well for longer sits, letting you make a quick reference with your posture or breath without opening your eyes to see a clock.

An online timer is different from a guided meditation app, in that it will not guide you through the meditation. Remains discreet. It's a feature, not a problem, because a lot of experienced meditators, and many beginners as well, like to meditate without an ongoing commentary.

Using a Meditation Timer Online:

One takes only about 10 seconds to use:

• Length of session. Choose a length of your choice from 1 minute up to an hour, depending on your experience as well as the amount of time you have.
• Select a bell or tone. Most timers have a couple of options, such as a Tibetan bowl, gong or soft chime; choose whichever one doesn't wake you up out of a relaxed state.
• Include interval bells (if you like). After 20 minutes of sitting, a bell once every 5 or 10 minutes can keep you focused, but won't make you look at a clock.
• Press the start button, close your eyes and let the timer do the rest.

That's all the interface! No registration, no tutorial to follow and no subsequent notifications to find out how your session was.

Selecting the appropriate session length:

The "right" length will depend on your level of practice, but not on the default length of the app.

• 1-3 minute meditation timer — Good for resetting between meetings, or for those who are just getting started who want to get into the habit of meditation before increasing the length. Stillness is stillness, even if it is for only one minute.
• 5 minute meditation timer — This is the most popular length of meditation time and that is just as well. Five minutes will do to get the breath settled and not so long that it feels like a chore. It's the length that most people would begin to use if they are new.
• 10 minute meditation timer — A good balance between sitting still and any of it becoming too hard. This is the first place many people hit when they are at the default setting, each day.
• 15-20 minutes — As with most structured mindfulness and breathing exercises (many of the MBSR style are like this), once the habit is there, then the 15-20 minutes of meditation is suggested.
• 30+ minutes — Most common amongst Vipassana, Zen (zazen) and Transcendental Meditators, or anyone who has a daily sit.

No award for jumping right to 30 minutes. A consistent 5-minute effort is better to an inconsistent 20-minute effort.

Why do the Sound at the End matter more than you think?

A regular phone alarm jolts you out of your relaxed state — defeating the previous 10 minutes somewhat. The problem of a meditation timer online is the following:

• Opening bell: the minutes when it's time to sit down, put our eyes to our faces and fall asleep.
• Interval bells: quieter check-ins for longer sessions, without you having to keep track of time.
• Closing bell: a gentle, slow sound, usually a Tibetan bowl or gong, to help you return to the room rather than be ripped back there.

It's a minor thing, but this is the difference between a timer that is useful for meditation and one that simply counts down.

Which Timer is the better option: Silent Timer vs. Guided App?

Don't be afraid to be honest, they're intended for different problems.

If the timer is online, but cannot be heard, use an online timer.

• You are already familiar with your technique (awareness of the breath, body scan, mantra, etc.), and only need some limits of that technique.
• You don't enjoy listening to narration, you find it distracting
• No downloads, no sign in, no subscription — the easier it is, the better.
• You meditate on a desktop or laptop as much or more so than you do on your phone

If you are using a guided application (Insight Timer, Calm, Headspace etc):

• You've just gotten started and need to be guided on what to do rather than how long
• You want an access to teachers, courses or sleep content
• You enjoy watching streaks and stats as they get longer over the course of time

Many people find that they use both: a guided application when they need to be shown how to use it, and an online, uncomplicated timer for the rest of the time, when they simply want to sit.

There are various meditation techniques that are suitable for using with an easy-to-use timer.

These do not need directions just a good beginning and end:

• Of course, there is the practice of mindfulness / breath awareness, in which attention is focused on the breath, and the timer does the rest.
• Body scan — slowly move attention through the body without narration (only since you know the pattern)
• Zen sitting meditation (Zazen) — traditionally a bell is used to time the meditation, so this is a natural fit for zazen.
• Vipassana meditation is usually done by oneself and timed sessions.
• Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a meditative practice that is done in silence with just a starting and ending symbol.
• You don't need to have someone tell you your mantra to repeat, mantra meditation is all about repetition.

Here are a few tips to make the most of your time at the gym:

• Turn off the cell phone individually. The browser tab timer is silent, but the text notification isn't. Turn your phone to DND before you begin.
• Choose the same time in the day. Immediately after waking up or immediately prior to sleep is better than the "whenever I remember" approach.
• Avoid trying to accomplish longer sessions too quickly. It takes 5 minutes of concentration a day to establish a habit than a 30 minute session that you're dreading.
• Create time intervals that go beyond 15 minutes with interval bells. Not silent counting the minutes until it's done is easier!
• Sit in a place where you won't be disturbed. The Timer can control sound, but not another person walking into the room.

Frequently Asked Questions