Breathing Pacer
A gentle visual guide for mindfulness of breathing — let the circle grow as you breathe in and ease back as you breathe out. It’s a simple aid for anapanasati, the breath meditation the Buddha taught most fully. Free, no account, with an optional soft bell — nothing plays until you choose it.
Longer out-breath — settles a busy or anxious mind.
A simple aid for mindfulness of breathing — not medical treatment. If breath-focus ever makes you light-headed or anxious, simply stop and breathe naturally.
Breathing as meditation
In Buddhism the breath is the most trusted anchor for the mind. You are not trying to control it so much as to keep it gentle company — and when the attention wanders, to bring it back, kindly, again and again. That returning is the practice. A pacer like this is only training wheels; the aim is to breathe and simply know you are breathing.
Learn the full method in our guide to anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing), start with how to meditate, or explore all of Buddhist meditation. If you came here to steady an anxious moment, see Buddhism and anxiety. For more aids, see all our free tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is this breathing tool?
It is a free, no-signup visual breath guide: a circle that gently expands as you breathe in and contracts as you breathe out, pacing your breath at a calming rhythm. It is a simple aid for mindfulness of breathing — anapanasati, the Buddha's own core meditation.
What is anapanasati?
Anapanasati means 'mindfulness of breathing.' It is the meditation the Buddha is recorded as practising himself and teaching most fully in the Anapanasati Sutta (MN 118): simply being aware of the natural breath as it comes and goes, using it as an anchor for a settled, clear mind. This tool just helps you keep a steady, gentle rhythm.
Which breathing pattern should I use?
Start with 'Calm' — its longer out-breath tends to settle a busy or anxious mind, and it's a good default. 'Even' is a balanced, simple rhythm; 'Box' (equal four counts) supports focus and composure; '4·7·8' is a long, slow release some people use before sleep. Pick whatever feels easy — breathing should never be forced.
Can this help with anxiety or stress?
Slow, steady breathing — especially a longer exhale — can be genuinely calming, and many people find it helpful in an anxious moment. But this is a contemplative aid, not medical treatment or therapy. If breath-focus ever makes you light-headed or more anxious, simply stop and let your breath be natural. If you are in distress, please reach out to a doctor or a crisis line.
Is anything stored about me?
No account and nothing sent anywhere. Your chosen pattern and bell preference are saved only in your own browser, and the sound (if you turn the bell on) is generated locally — there are no audio files and no autoplay.