Free tool
Meditation timer
A simple, distraction-free timer for sitting quietly. Choose a length, watch the gentle pulse, and let an optional soft bell mark the minutes and the end.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Last reviewed June 17, 2026 · Editorial policy
Why it helps
Removing the friction of sitting still
Most of the obstacles to meditating are logistical, not spiritual: finding an app, dodging notifications, and deciding how long to sit. A bare timer with a calm visual and a soft bell strips all of that away, which makes it far more likely you'll actually do it. There's no correct technique here; following the breath or simply resting attention is enough.
Regular brief practice is associated with lower stress reactivity and better attention for many people. The mechanism is partly training: noticing that the mind has wandered and returning it, over and over, is the rep that builds the skill, not sitting in some perfectly blank state.
Doing it well
How to use the timer
Start short. One to three minutes done consistently beats twenty minutes you dread and skip. The optional interval bell helps you stay oriented without checking the clock, and the ending tone means you can stop monitoring time and let go completely.
Wandering isn't failure; it's the practice. Each time you notice you've drifted into planning or replaying something and come back to the breath, that return is the exercise working. Expect to do it many times in a single sitting.
Limits
A practice, not a prescription
Meditation is a wellness practice that can support mental health, not a treatment for a condition. For a small number of people, intensive meditation can stir up difficult feelings; if that happens, it's fine to stop, shorten the session, or choose a more active tool like breathing or grounding.
If you're dealing with persistent anxiety, low mood, or trauma, meditation can be a helpful complement to care but isn't a substitute for evaluation and treatment by a clinician.
Keep exploring
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is meditation a treatment for a mental health condition?
No. It's a wellness practice, not therapy or treatment. It can support care but doesn't replace it.
Do I need the sound on?
No. The bell is optional. The visual pulse alone works, which is useful in shared or quiet spaces.
How long should I meditate?
Start short, one to three minutes, and build up. Consistency matters far more than length.
My mind won't stop wandering. Am I doing it wrong?
No. Noticing the wandering and returning your attention is the practice itself, not a sign of failure. Expect to do it many times.
Can meditation ever make anxiety worse?
For most people it helps, but a few find intensive practice stirs up difficult feelings. If that happens, stop or shorten the session and try a more active tool.
Where do the bell sounds come from?
They're generated in your browser with the Web Audio API. No files are downloaded and nothing is sent anywhere.
Is anything saved?
No. The timer and tones run entirely in your browser and store nothing.
Related reading
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