Window setTimeout()
Examples
Wait 5 seconds for the greeting:
Use clearTimeout(myTimeout) to prevent myGreeting from running:
function myStopFunction() {
clearTimeout(myTimeout);
}
More examples below.
Description
The setTimeout() method calls a function after a number of milliseconds.
1 second = 1000 milliseconds.
Notes
The setTimeout() is executed only once.
If you need repeated executions, use setInterval() instead.
Use the clearTimeout() method to prevent the function from starting.
To clear a timeout, use the id returned from setTimeout():
Then you can to stop the execution by calling clearTimeout():
See Also:
Syntax
Parameters
The function to execute.
Number of milliseconds to wait before executing.
Default value is 0.
param2,
... Optional.
Parameters to pass to the function.
Not supported in IE9 and earlier.
Return Value
Use this id with clearTimeout(id) to cancel the timer.
More Examples
Display an alert box after 3 seconds (3000 milliseconds):
function myFunction() {
timeout = setTimeout(alertFunc, 3000);
}
function alertFunc() {
alert("Hello!");
}
Display a timed text:
setTimeout(function(){ x.value = "2 seconds" }, 2000);
setTimeout(function(){ x.value = "4 seconds" }, 4000);
setTimeout(function(){ x.value = "6 seconds" }, 6000);
Open a new window and close the window after three seconds (3000 milliseconds):
setTimeout(function() {myWindow.close()}, 3000);
Count forever - but with the ability to stop the count:
function stopCount()
A clock created with timing events:
const date = new Date();
document.getElementById("txt").innerHTML = date.toLocaleTimeString();
setTimeout(function() {startTime()}, 1000);
}
Pass parameters to the function (does not work in IE9 and earlier):
However, if you use an anonymous function, it will work in all browsers:
Browser Support
setTimeout() is supported in all browsers:
| Chrome | Edge | Firefox | Safari | Opera | IE |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |