Coherent vs Resonance Breathing
Both are slow, even rhythms with no holds — but one is fixed and one is tunable.
How they differ
Coherent breathing is fixed at five seconds in and five seconds out — a 10-second cycle, about 6 breaths per minute, with no holds and no tuning UI. Resonance breathing starts at 5.5–5.5 and lets you tune between about 4.5 and 6.5 breaths per minute. They are not the same page with different labels: coherent is one fixed pace; resonance is for finding a slow even rhythm you choose.
How to choose
- If you want a fixed 5-5 with no settings to touch, start coherent breathing.
- If you want to tune the breaths-per-minute setting, start resonance breathing.
- If 5-5 feels too slow, try equal breathing (4-4) for a faster even rhythm.
- Check the numbers on the breaths per minute calculator before you start.
When people use them
People compare these when they want slow even breathing without holds and need to know whether a fixed 5-5 or a tunable pace fits better. Neither is a medical treatment. For a four-sided pattern with holds, see box breathing.
Pattern data
- Coherent 5-5: cycle 10 seconds, 6.00 breaths per minute, fixed.
- Resonance default 5.5-5.5: cycle 11 seconds, ~5.45 breaths per minute, tunable ~4.5–6.5.
- Both skip holds. Coherent has no tuning UI.
Coherent Breathing
Pattern data
- INHALE
- 5 sec
- EXHALE
- 5 sec
- Cycle
- 10 sec
- Cycles / min
- ~6.00
- Session cycles
- ~30
Resonance Breathing
Pattern data
- INHALE
- 5.5 sec
- EXHALE
- 5.5 sec
- Cycle
- 11 sec
- Cycles / min
- ~5.45
- Session cycles
- ~27
FAQ
Is coherent the same as resonance breathing?
No. Coherent is fixed at 5-5. Resonance lets you change the breaths-per-minute setting around 4.5–6.5.
Which is slower at the defaults?
Coherent 5-5 is a 10-second cycle (6 breaths/min). Resonance default 5.5-5.5 is an 11-second cycle (~5.45 breaths/min).
Can I try both?
Yes. Open the coherent timer or the resonance timer.
Is this medical advice?
No. breathinglab.app provides informational breathing tools and does not provide medical advice.
breathinglab.app provides informational breathing tools and does not provide medical advice.