Free to useTools

Breathing GIFs and animations

Box breathing GIF: a dot travels round a square, 4 seconds a side — **Box breathing**In 4 · hold 4 · out 4 · rest 4Download the GIF

4-6 breathing GIF: a circle grows for 4 seconds and shrinks for 6 — **4-6 breathing**In 4 · out 6Download the GIF

Coherent breathing GIF: a circle grows for 5 seconds and shrinks for 5 — **Coherent breathing**In 5 · out 5Download the GIF

4-7-8 breathing GIF: a circle grows for 4 seconds, holds for 7 and shrinks for 8 — **4-7-8 breathing**In 4 · hold 7 · out 8Download the GIF

Triangle breathing GIF: a dot travels round a triangle, 4 seconds a side — **Triangle breathing**In 4 · hold 4 · out 4Download the GIF

Each GIF loops one full breath and is small enough to send in a message. The triangle GIF uses 4 seconds a side; in the Breathform app it’s 3.5.

Which breathing GIF should I use?

Pick by the moment, not the name.

The moment	The GIF
Before a call, a talk or an exam	Box breathing, in 4 · hold 4 · out 4 · rest 4
Anxious, or you can’t settle	4-6 breathing, no holds
Winding down at night	4-7-8 breathing, 4 rounds
A few calm minutes	Coherent breathing, in 5 · out 5
A quick reset with a shape to follow	Triangle breathing

What is a box breathing GIF?

A square with a dot moving round it, 4 seconds a side. Breathe in as it goes up, hold across the top, breathe out on the way down and rest along the bottom. The full guide, with a timer, is box breathing. For a softer shape with no corners, try the lazy 8.

Can I use a breathing GIF in class or in therapy?

Yes, free, at home, at work, in class or in therapy. Please keep the timings and the small Breathform credit as they are. A loop on the board gives the whole room one pace, with no one counting out loud. Younger children often find it easier to trace a shape: try the star, rainbow and hand cards in the printable breathing exercises. For more counts, see breathing patterns.

Questions people ask

Is there a breathing GIF I can follow right now?

Yes. Every GIF on this page loops one full breath and shows the phase and the seconds in the middle, so you can follow it straight away, without sound. For a timer with rounds and soft tones, open the guide for that breath, such as box breathing.

Which breathing animation is best for anxiety?

One with a longer out-breath and no holds, such as 4-6 breathing: in for 4, out for 6. Holds can feel tight when you’re anxious. Coherent breathing, 5 in and 5 out, is a good second choice. For more breaths to choose from, see breathing exercises for anxiety.

Are these breathing animations free to use?

Yes. Download and share them at home, at work, in class or in therapy, free. Please keep the timings and the small Breathform credit as they are, so whoever follows them knows where they’re from.

How do I put a breathing GIF in PowerPoint or Teams?

Download the GIF first. In PowerPoint, choose Insert, then Pictures, and pick the file: it plays when you present. In Teams, Slack or most chat apps, drag the file into the message. One round of box breathing at the start of a meeting takes 16 seconds.