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How to use an online box breathing timer (4-4-4-4)
A step-by-step guide to the free Breathing Circle timer: choose a duration, follow four breathing phases, pause or finish without sound.
Choose a short session
Open Breathing Circle and choose 1, 3, 5 or 10 minutes before pressing Start break. If this is your first try, one minute lets you learn the controls without committing to a long session. No account or download is needed.
Follow the four phases
With Hold checked, the circle guides four seconds of inhaling, four seconds of holding, four seconds of exhaling and four more seconds of holding. One full cycle lasts 16 seconds. Follow the visible phase label and let the breath stay gentle.
Adjust the holds to your comfort
You can uncheck Hold for four seconds in and four seconds out. This removes the holds and is no longer the four-part box pattern. Do not force deep breaths or try to complete the timer if you feel uncomfortable; stop and breathe normally.
Pause or start over
Pause stops both the session countdown and breathing animation. Resume continues the remaining time. Reset clears the session so you can select another duration; it does not immediately begin another exercise.
Understand the quiet finish
There is no music or alarm. At zero, the animation pauses and the page displays a completion message; the session may end partway through a cycle. You can stop earlier. If you hide the animation or leave the tab, the timer still tracks elapsed time, but visual breathing cues require viewing the page.