Easy Tutorial
❮ Met Element Setattribute Prop Video Networkstate ❯

setTimeout() Method

Window Object

Example

Display "Hello" after 3 seconds (3000 milliseconds):

setTimeout(function(){ alert("Hello"); }, 3000);

Definition and Usage

The setTimeout() method calls a function or evaluates an expression after a specified number of milliseconds.

Tip: 1000 milliseconds = 1 second.

Tip: If you want to repeat execution, use the setInterval() method.

Tip: Use the clearTimeout() method to prevent the function from running.


Browser Support

The numbers in the table specify the first browser version that fully supports the method.

Method Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
setTimeout() 1.0 4.0 1.0 1.0 4.0

Syntax

setTimeout(code, milliseconds, param1, param2, ...)
setTimeout(function, milliseconds, param1, param2, ...)
Parameter Description
code/function Required. The code to be called, or the function.
milliseconds Optional. The number of milliseconds to wait before executing the code/function. Default is 0.
param1, param2, ... Optional. Additional parameters to pass to the function (not supported in IE9 and earlier).

Technical Details

| Return Value: | Returns an ID (number) that can be used to cancel the execution with clearTimeout(). | | --- | --- |


More Examples

Example

Display "Hello" after 3 seconds (3000 milliseconds):

var myVar;

function myFunction() {
    myVar = setTimeout(alertFunc, 3000);
}

function alertFunc() {
    alert("Hello!");
}

Example

Change the text in an input box at 2, 4, and 6 seconds:

var x = document.getElementById("txt");
setTimeout(function(){ x.value = "2 seconds" }, 2000);
setTimeout(function(){ x.value = "4 seconds" }, 4000);
setTimeout(function(){ x.value = "6 seconds" }, 6000);

Example

Open a new window and close it after 3 seconds:

var myWindow = window.open("", "", "width=200, height=100");
myWindow.document.write("<p>This is a new window</p>");
setTimeout(function(){ myWindow.close() }, 3000);

Example

Prevent the function from executing using clearTimeout():

var myVar;

function myFunction() {
    myVar = setTimeout(function(){ alert("Hello") }, 3000);
}

function myStopFunction() {
    clearTimeout(myVar);
}

Example

Counter that can be stopped by clicking a button:

function startCount()
function stopCount()

Example

Display the current time:

function startTime() {
    var today = new Date();
    var h = today.getHours();
    var m = today.getMinutes();
    var s = today.getSeconds();
    // Add a zero in front of numbers&lt;10
    m = checkTime(m);
    s = checkTime(s);
    document.getElementById("txt").innerHTML = h + ":" + m + ":" + s;
    t = setTimeout(function(){ startTime() }, 500);
}

function checkTime(i) {
    if (i < 10) {
        i = "0" + i;
    }
    return i;
}

Example

Pass parameters to the alertFunc function (not supported in IE9 and earlier):

var myVar;

function myStartFunction() {
    myVar = setTimeout(alertFunc, 2000, "tutorialpro", "Google");
}

However, all browsers support using an anonymous function:

var myVar;

function myStartFunction() {
    myVar = setTimeout(function(){ alertFunc("tutorialpro", "Google"); }, 2000);
}

Related Pages

Window Object: setInterval() Method

Window Object: setTimeout() Method

Window Object: clearTimeout() Method

Window Object

❮ Met Element Setattribute Prop Video Networkstate ❯