Meditation Timer
{{ mainTimeDisplay }}
Preset: {{ presetLabel }} Session {{ session_min }} min Interval {{ interval_min }} min Start ~ {{ start_time_local }} Finish ~ {{ finish_time_local }} Status: {{ statusText }}
{{ last_cue_label }} (×{{ last_cue_count }})
{{ nextEventDisplay }}
{{ Math.round(sessionProgressPct) }}%
min
s
min
{{ audio_volume }}%
# Event Offset Local time Chimes Copy
{{ r.idx }} {{ r.label }} {{ r.offsetDisplay }} {{ r.local }} {{ r.chimes }}
No events. Adjust settings above.
Field Value Copy
{{ r.label }} {{ r.value }}
No stats to show.

                    
:

Introduction:

Meditation sessions are timed periods of attention that benefit from clear openings and gentle cues. A meditation timer with interval bells helps you settle, return to the breath, and finish without checking a clock.

Choose a fixed length or run open ended with periodic chimes. Add a short countdown so you can get into position, then let the bell mark the beginning and the end while you stay with the practice.

You decide how many chimes sound at the start, during intervals, and at the end so every cue is unmistakable. A running progress display and a next event readout keep pacing effortless and reduce the urge to look away.

For extra feedback you can enable a small vibration and a subtle visual pulse when a cue fires. The schedule lists each event with a local time so you can line up sits with your day or share a plan with a group.

Timers support rhythm but do not judge the quality of attention. Very long sessions can drift a little if the device sleeps or a tab is moved to the background.

Technical Details:

The timer measures elapsed time during a sit and schedules cue events at defined offsets. The main quantities are the planned session length, the interval length between mid‑session cues, and the number of chimes associated with each cue type.

From these inputs it computes a progress percentage when a fixed session length is set and it produces a complete event schedule. Events are of three kinds: a start cue, zero or more interval cues, and an optional end cue. Each event may play several chimes to make its role clear.

Results present as a tabular schedule with offsets and local times, a running percentage indicator, and a next event string. Local times use the device locale and timezone; offsets remain relative to the planned start.

Comparisons across runs are valid when you keep session length, interval length, and chime counts the same. Displayed times follow whole‑second rounding, so values near boundaries may appear to pause for a second before progressing.

n = sδ i interval events t0 = 0 (start event, if enabled) tk = k·i for 1kn tE = s (end event, if enabled)
Symbols and units
Symbol Meaning Unit/Datatype Source
s Planned session length s Input
i Interval length between mid‑session cues s Input
t Elapsed time since start s Derived
n Number of interval events integer Derived
bs, bi, be Chimes at start, interval, and end integer Input
δ Trigger tolerance for event firing 0.0001 s Constant
Worked example. With a 25 minute session (s=1500 s), 5 minute intervals (i=300 s), and start/end chimes enabled: events occur at 0, 300, 600, 900, 1200, and 1500 s. If elapsed time t=900 s, the next event is in 300 s and the run is 60% complete.
p = min(100, max(0, ts·100 ))
Validation and bounds
Field Type Min Max Step/Pattern Error Text
Session length number (minutes) 0 step 1
Countdown number (seconds) 0 step 1
Interval number (minutes) 0 step 1
Start bells number (count) 0 step 1
Interval bells number (count) 0 step 1
End bells number (count) 0 step 1
Audio volume range (%) 0 100 step 1
Tone frequency number (Hz) 100 step 1
Tone length number (ms) 40 step 10
Bell gap number (ms) 60 step 10
Vibrate / Keep awake / Visual flash boolean
Visual flash length number (ms) 40 step 10
I/O formats and outputs
Input Accepted Families Output Encoding/Precision Rounding
Session minutes, countdown seconds, interval minutes numeric Offset list with local times string times via device locale whole seconds
Chime counts and audio options numeric and boolean Audible chimes, vibration, visual pulse device output durations in ms
Schedule/Stats export CSV and JSON UTF‑8 text fixed values
  • Presets: 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes; “Zazen 25” with 5 minute intervals; an open ended mode with intervals only.
  • Open ended scheduling is capped to 180 minutes or 60 interval events to avoid runaway growth.
  • Remaining time displays round up; elapsed time in open ended mode rounds down; the progress label uses nearest whole percent.
  • A screen wake lock is requested only when enabled and may be declined by the device.

Performance & complexity

Schedule generation is linear in the number of events. Chime playback is queued using discrete gaps, so extended runs depend on device timers and power policy.

Privacy & compliance

Processing is browser based. No data is transmitted or stored server‑side. Clipboard and file downloads occur only on your explicit action.

Assumptions & limitations

  • Timer accuracy depends on device load and power settings. Heads‑up
  • Background tabs may throttle timers and delay cues. Heads‑up
  • Audio output follows the device volume and focus rules. Heads‑up
  • Vibration is available only on supported hardware. Heads‑up
  • Wake locks may be unavailable or revoked by the system. Heads‑up
  • Local times reflect the device timezone and locale. Heads‑up
  • Open ended mode limits the number of generated interval events. Heads‑up
  • Very large chime counts extend cue duration via gap timing. Heads‑up

Edge cases & error sources

  • Device sleep suspends timers until wake.
  • Switching tabs or apps can delay scheduled cues.
  • Extremely low volume or muted output yields silent chimes.
  • Unsupported vibration settings are ignored by the device.
  • Locale changes during a run may alter time formatting.
  • Crossing midnight shifts the date in local time listings.
  • Rounding at boundaries may hold the same mm:ss for one second.
  • Intervals shorter than the chime length plus gap will overlap in time.
  • Tone frequency below the lower bound is clamped to a safe value.
  • Exceedingly long sessions increase drift risk on constrained devices.

Step‑by‑Step Guide

Set the session concept and cue pattern to produce a clear, shareable schedule with audible and visual prompts.

  1. Pick a preset or choose custom to set values.
  2. Enter Session length and Countdown.
  3. Set Interval minutes for mid‑session cues.
  4. Choose chime counts for start, interval, and end.
  5. Adjust volume, tone, gap, vibration, and visual pulse if desired.
  6. Review the schedule, then start the session.
Example: 25 minutes, 5 minute intervals, three chimes to begin and end, one chime at each interval.
  • Use the schedule view to copy or download the plan for later.

You now have a predictable rhythm with clear auditory and visual cues.

FAQ

Is my data stored?

No. Everything runs locally. Nothing is sent to a server, and exports are created only when you ask for them.

Clipboard and downloads require a user action.
How accurate are the chimes?

Accuracy is good for typical sessions. Backgrounding, battery saving, or heavy load can introduce delays of a few seconds on some devices.

Which units are supported?

Session and intervals use minutes. Countdown uses seconds. Offsets and displays use whole seconds with mm:ss or hh:mm:ss formatting.

Can I use it offline?

Yes. Once loaded, it runs without a network connection. Audio and vibration depend on device capabilities.

Does it cost anything?

No payment is required. Use it as often as you like on supported devices.

Why do I not hear sound?

Ensure device volume is up, silent mode is off, and the page has focus. Some platforms require interaction before allowing audio playback.

How do I copy the schedule?

Open the schedule view and use the copy option to place a CSV version on the clipboard, or download a file for later.

What does “Finished” status mean?

All planned events have fired for the chosen session length. You can stop to reset or start again with the same settings.

Troubleshooting

  • No sound: raise volume and interact once to allow audio.
  • Missed cue: keep the screen awake or avoid backgrounding.
  • Shaky timing: reduce other heavy apps while the timer runs.
  • No vibration: check device support and permissions.
  • Times look odd: confirm timezone and locale settings.
  • Very long run: consider shorter sits to reduce drift.

Advanced Tips

Tip Match interval length to a consistent count of breaths for steadier pacing.

Tip Use a short countdown to settle posture before the first bell.

Tip Increase the end chimes slightly to signal a clear close when sitting in a group.

Tip Lower tone length or raise the gap when using higher chime counts.

Tip Keep the device awake during long sessions to reduce timer throttling.

Tip Preview the schedule and share it to coordinate starts with friends.

Glossary

Session length
Total planned duration of the sit.
Interval
Minutes between mid‑session cue events.
Countdown
Seconds before the first cue to settle in.
Chime count
Number of tones played for an event.
Bell gap
Silence between consecutive tones in a cue.
Progress
Percentage of a fixed‑length session completed.