Coherent breathing timer
Coherent breathing, also called resonant breathing, is slow equal breaths at around six a minute: in for five, out for five, no holds. The circle sets the pace so you can just follow it.
- Breathe in 5s
- Breathe out 5s
Take it with you in the app
This tool runs in your browser. Want it on your phone, with voice cues, background timing and a real alarm? Open the same tool in NanoTimer.
Open on your phoneOpens the right tab in NanoTimer on your iPhone.
Download on theApp StoreLink coming soon
How it works
- Breathe in through your nose as the circle grows, out as it shrinks. Five seconds each is the usual starting point.
- No holding, no forcing. The whole idea is a smooth, even rhythm.
- Use the seconds control to find your own resonance: many people settle between five and six seconds a side.
- Five to ten minutes is a normal session. Sit comfortably and let the breath stay gentle.
Frequently asked questions
- What is resonance breathing?
- Coherent and resonant breathing are the same idea: breathing slowly and evenly at roughly six breaths a minute. Slow breathing with an even rhythm is linked to a shift toward the parasympathetic, or rest, side of the nervous system, and higher heart-rate variability. Your exact resonant rate is individual, which is why the seconds are adjustable.
- How is this different from box breathing?
- Box breathing holds the breath between phases; coherent breathing does not. It is just a smooth in and out at an equal count. Many people find it easier to sustain for longer because there is nothing to hold.
- Can I do this in the app?
- Yes. The NanoTimer app has a dedicated Breathe section: guided, adjustable breathing patterns, free.