Breathing Exercise Timer
Slow down with a breathing pacer that tells you when to breathe in, hold and breathe out. Pick box breathing, the 4-7-8 relaxing breath, slow even breathing or your own timings, and follow the large written cue with its countdown. A gently growing and shrinking circle is shown only when your device allows motion, and an optional soft tone marks each change.
Breathe Along
Press Start when you are ready
This pattern step by step
How to Use the Breathing Timer
- Choose a pattern or select Custom and set the seconds for each step.
- Choose the session length and whether you want a tone or screen-reader announcements.
- Press Start and follow the cue: breathe in, hold, breathe out. Pause pauses; Reset stops.
About This Tool
Anyone who wants a few calm minutes before a meeting, an exam or sleep, and people practising paced breathing as part of a wellbeing routine.
Input: Breathing pattern ยท Output: Paced cues.
Features and Limitations
Features
- Four common patterns plus fully custom timings, including no-hold patterns.
- Large written cue with a seconds countdown, so the animation is never required.
- Animated circle only when reduced motion is not requested; nothing flashes.
- Optional soft tone and optional screen-reader announcements.
Limitations
- This is a relaxation aid, not medical treatment. Stop if you feel dizzy or short of breath and breathe normally.
- Long holds (such as the 7-second hold in 4-7-8) can be uncomfortable at first; shorten them with Custom.
- Results are computed in your browser; nothing you enter is sent to a server.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is box breathing?
Breathing in, holding, breathing out and holding again for equal counts, usually 4 seconds each. It gives a steady, even rhythm.
What is 4-7-8 breathing?
Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 and breathe out slowly for 8. Beginners often start with just four cycles.
Can I use it without looking at the screen?
Yes. Turn on the soft tone to hear each change, or keep the screen-reader announcements on if you use a screen reader.
Is it safe for everyone?
Gentle paced breathing is generally comfortable, but if you have a heart, lung or anxiety condition, or feel light-headed, stop and check with a health professional.
Related Tools
More like this: all Timers & Clocks tools, all Productivity tools or the TinySandy home page.