Drift into calm with nature sounds
Rain, forest, ocean waves, wind, fire and a mountain stream, with a simple timer and a guided breathing exercise. Quiet a busy mind at night, focus during the day or take a short meditation break. Free.
- Free, no subscription
- 6 nature sounds
- Breathing guide
Nature sounds, a timer and a breathing guide in one
Relaxing nature sounds
Rain, forest, ocean waves, wind, a crackling fire and a bubbling stream, with adjustable volume and seamless loops.
Simple meditation timer
Quick 5, 10, 15 or 30 minute sessions, longer 45 and 60 minute timers, or set your own for deep work or sleep.
Guided breathing & Quick breathe
Turn on guided breathing during a session, or tap Quick breathe for an instant reset between tasks.
Pick your mood
Choose Calm, Focus, Sleep or Stress relief, and save your favourite sound and timer combinations.
Plays in the background
Keep the sounds going while you use other apps or lock your screen. Daily reminders help you keep the habit.
Streaks, XP & achievements
Track your total time, weekly goal and streaks, unlock achievements, and choose from 6 themes in light or dark mode.
Minimal, calm and clutter-free
Calm in three taps
Pick a sound
Rain, forest, ocean, wind, fire or stream, or silence.
Set a timer
Choose a preset or a custom length for focus, a nap or the whole night.
Breathe and relax
Turn on the breathing guide, close your eyes and let the sounds do the rest.
Box breathing exercise: breathe in, hold, breathe out
Box breathing is a simple technique many people use to relax and refocus: breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, breathe out for 4 and hold for 4, then repeat. Press start and follow the circle for a minute or two.
Calm Timer has a guided breathing exercise built in, so you can pair your breathing with rain, ocean or forest sounds before sleep or between meetings. Breathing exercises are a relaxation aid, not medical treatment. If you live with anxiety or a sleep condition, talk to a doctor.
How to fall asleep faster with nature sounds
- Pick a steady sound. Rain, ocean waves and a gentle stream have an even rhythm that's easy to tune out, and they cover sudden noises like traffic or neighbours.
- Keep the volume low. The sound should sit quietly in the background, just loud enough to soften other noise.
- Use a timer. Set 30 or 60 minutes so the sound fades out after you fall asleep, or keep it on all night if that suits you.
- Make it a routine. Playing the same sound every night becomes a signal to your brain that it's time to wind down.
- Add a few slow breaths. A couple of minutes of guided breathing before you put the phone down can help you settle.
Nature sounds vs. white noise and pink noise: which is better?
White noise is a steady, static-like hiss, like a TV between channels. Pink noise is a deeper, softer version that sounds more like a waterfall or steady rain. Both mask distractions evenly, but many people find them harsh or tiring over long periods. Nature sounds such as rain, a stream or wind also cover background noise, while feeling softer and more natural, which makes them easier to listen to for a long focus session, a nap or a whole night. It's personal, so try a few. In Calm Timer, rain and stream are popular for deep work, while ocean waves and fire are favourites for winding down.
Questions people ask
Is Calm Timer free?
Yes. Calm Timer is free to use with ads. If you prefer no ads, an optional one-time Remove Ads purchase removes them for good. There's no subscription.
Which sounds are included?
Six nature sounds: rain, forest, ocean waves, wind, fire and a stream. You can also choose no sound for a silent meditation timer.
Can I use it to fall asleep?
Yes. Choose a sound and set a timer, or a custom length to play through the night. Sounds loop seamlessly.
Does it play in the background?
Yes. The sounds keep playing while you use other apps or when your screen is locked.
Can I track my progress?
Yes. See your total and weekly minutes, a weekly goal, daily streaks, XP levels and achievements, and export your data anytime.
Is there a breathing exercise?
Yes. A built-in guided breathing feature with visual cues helps you slow down and relax.
Which devices are supported?
iPhone and iPad running iOS 17 or later.
Find a few minutes of calm today
Download Calm Timer – Nature Sounds free and press play.