Pursed-lip breathing timer
Pursed-lip breathing means breathing in through your nose and out slowly through lips pursed as if you are about to whistle. This timer paces a two-count in and a four-count out.
- Breathe in 2s
- Breathe out 4s
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 gently through your nose for two, as the circle grows. Do not take a huge breath.
- Purse your lips as if to whistle, and breathe out slowly for four as the circle shrinks.
- The exhale should be relaxed and about twice as long as the inhale, never forced.
- It is often used to ease breathlessness. If you have a lung condition, treat this as general information and follow your clinician's advice.
Frequently asked questions
- What is pursed-lip breathing for?
- It slows the breath and keeps the airways open a little longer on the exhale, which many people find eases shortness of breath. It is widely taught in pulmonary rehabilitation, but it is a technique rather than a treatment, so it does not replace medical advice.
- When should I use it?
- Commonly during exertion or a moment of breathlessness: climbing stairs, after activity, or when a breath feels tight. Practising it when calm makes it easier to reach for when you need it.
- Can I do this in the app?
- Yes. The NanoTimer app has a dedicated Breathe section: guided, adjustable breathing patterns, free.