Window setTimeout() Method

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# Window setTimeout() Method

Window Object

## Example

Display an alert box after 3 seconds:

setTimeout(function(){alert("Hello")},3000);
Try it yourself »

## Definition and Usage

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

Tip: 1000 ms = 1 second.

Tip: The function is only executed once. If you need to repeat execution, use the setInterval() method.

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

## Browser Support

The setTimeout() method is supported in all major browsers.

## Syntax

setTimeout(function,milliseconds,lang)

## Parameter Values

Parameter | Description
--- | ---
function | Required. The function that will be executed
milliseconds | Required. The number of milliseconds to wait before executing the code
lang | Optional. The scripting language: JScript | VBScript | JavaScript

## Return Value

An integer with the ID value of the timer that is set. Use this value with the clearTimeout() method to cancel the timer.

## More Examples

## Example

Display a timed text:

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);
Try it yourself »

## Example

Open a new window and close the window after three seconds (3000 milliseconds):

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

Using clearTimeout to prevent the function to run:

var myVar;
function myFunction()
{
myVar = setTimeout(function(){alert("Hello")},3000);
}
function myStopFunction()
{
clearTimeout(myVar);
}
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## Example

Count forever - with a Stop button:

function startCount()
function stopCount()
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## Example

A clock created with timing events:

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<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;
}
Try it yourself »

Window Object

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