Understanding Meeting Type Buffers

Meeting buffers automatically block time before and after your meetings to give you breathing room between appointments. This article explains how buffer settings work, their benefits, and how they protect your schedule from being overbooked.

How to Set Up Meeting Buffers

1. Navigate to your meeting type settings by going to your meeting types and choosing or creating a meeting type.
2. Scroll down to the "Buffer Before" field and enter your desired time (e.g., 15 minutes)
3. Look for the "Buffer After" field and enter your desired time (e.g., 15 minutes)
4. Save your changes

Once configured, these buffers will automatically apply to all future bookings of this meeting type. The buffer time is reserved exclusively for you and cannot be booked by others.

How Buffers Work Behind the Scenes

Buffers attach directly to your scheduled meetings like protective shields. When someone books a 2:00 PM meeting with 15-minute buffers, the system actually blocks 1:45 PM to 3:15 PM on your calendar. This ensures the time immediately before and after stays completely free.

Here's the important part: buffers ignore your weekly availability schedule. Even if you normally accept meetings from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the buffer will still block 1:45 PM regardless of your stated availability. The buffer's job is to protect the meeting, not to respect your general schedule preferences.

Why Meeting Buffers Are Essential

Buffers solve the common problem of back-to-back meetings that leave you rushed and unprepared. Without buffers, you might finish a client call at 2:00 PM and immediately jump into another meeting at 2:00 PM, creating stress and reducing your effectiveness.

The buffer time gives you space to decompress, review notes, use the restroom, grab water, or simply transition mentally between different topics and people. This small investment in time pays dividends in your energy levels and meeting quality throughout the day.

Common Use Cases for Different Buffer Times

5-minute buffers work well for quick internal check-ins or when you're doing similar meetings throughout the day. 15-minute buffers are perfect for client calls, interviews, or any meeting where you need time to prepare or follow up. 30-minute buffers make sense for high-stakes meetings, lengthy sessions, or when you know you'll need significant prep time.

Consider your meeting type's intensity and your personal transition needs when setting buffer duration. You can always adjust these settings as you learn what works best for your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will buffers prevent people from booking meetings during my available hours?

Yes, if the buffer extends beyond your stated availability. For example, if you're available 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM but someone books a 9:00 AM meeting with a 15-minute buffer, the system blocks 8:45 AM to 9:15 AM. The 8:45 AM portion falls outside your availability, but the buffer still reserves it.

Can I set different buffer times for different meeting types?

Absolutely. Each meeting type has its own buffer settings, so you can customize them based on the specific needs of different kinds of meetings. Your 30-minute strategy sessions might need longer buffers than your 15-minute quick calls.

What happens if my buffers conflict with existing calendar events?

The system respects existing calendar events and won't allow bookings that would cause buffer conflicts. If you have a personal appointment at 3:00 PM, someone cannot book a 2:30 PM meeting with a 30-minute buffer because it would overlap.

Do buffers show up as separate events on my calendar?

No, buffers are invisible time blocks that prevent bookings but don't create calendar events. Your calendar will only show the actual meeting, but the time around it remains protected and unavailable for booking.

Updated on: 11/07/2025