Buffer time is a gap added after each booking before the next slot becomes available. It doesn't change the service duration a customer sees — a 60-minute massage is still listed as 60 minutes — but it prevents the next customer from booking immediately after the previous one ends.
Why you'd use buffer time
- Clean up — a house cleaner or pet groomer needs time to tidy up before the next client arrives
- Travel — a mobile therapist or dog walker needs time to drive between locations
- Reset — a yoga studio needs to air out the room and reset equipment between classes
- Admin — a consultant needs 10 minutes to write up notes before the next call
Without buffer time, the app schedules slots back to back. A 60-minute service with availability from 9:00–12:00 produces slots at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. A 15-minute buffer on the same service means the 9:00 slot doesn't free up until 10:15, so no 10:00 slot appears — only 10:15 and 11:30.
How to set buffer time
Buffer time is set per service, not per availability. Go to the service you want to update, click Edit, and open the Availability tab.
- Scroll down to the Timeslot Settings section.
- Find the Buffer Time card.
- In the field labeled "After each booking, add a buffer time of...", enter the number of minutes you want as a buffer.
- Click Update Buffer Time.
Buffer time is always set in minutes. The minimum is 0 (no buffer) and there's no maximum, but it must be a whole number.
If you're unsure how much buffer to add, start with what you realistically need for cleanup or travel, then add a few extra minutes as a cushion. You can always adjust it later.
How buffer time affects your slot calendar
The buffer is added after each booking's end time. The next available slot can only start once the buffer has elapsed.
Example with a 60-minute service and 15-minute buffer:
| Slot | Service ends | Buffer ends | Next slot available |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | 10:00 | 10:15 | 10:15 |
| 10:15 | 11:15 | 11:30 | 11:30 |
If your availability window runs until 12:00, the 11:30 slot is the last one (11:30 + 60 min = 12:30, which exceeds 12:00 — so it won't appear). Extend your availability end time if you want to fit more slots.
Buffer time reduces the number of slots available each day. If you set a large buffer on a short availability window, you may end up with fewer slots than expected — or none at all. Check the slot preview on your product page after saving to confirm the result looks right.
Buffer time vs. lead time
These two settings are often confused:
- Buffer time — a gap after each booking before the next customer can start
- Lead time — the minimum advance notice a customer must give before booking any slot
You can use both at the same time. Lead time controls how far in advance someone must book; buffer time controls the gap between appointments once they do.
See Lead time and booking limits for details on that setting.
Next steps
- Lead time and booking limits — require advance notice and cap how far out customers can book
- Blocking off time and days — close specific dates, holidays, or time windows
- Setting your availability — configure your regular weekly schedule