YouTip

```html Window Object

Example

Pop up "Hello" after 3 seconds (3000 milliseconds):

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

Try it »

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Definition and Usage

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

Note: 1000 milliseconds = 1 second.

Note: To execute the function repeatedly, use the setInterval() method.

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

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Browser Support

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

Method
setTimeout()	1.0	4.0	1.0	1.0	4.0

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Syntax

setTimeout(code, milliseconds, param1, param2, ...)
setTimeout(function, milliseconds, param1, param2, ...)

Parameter	Description
code/function	Required. The string containing the code to be executed, or a function to be executed.
milliseconds	Optional. The time, in milliseconds, that the execution of code/function is delayed. Default is 0.
param1, param2, ...	Optional. Additional parameters to pass to the function (Not supported in IE9 and earlier).

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Technical Details

Returns:	Returns an ID (number), which can be used with clearTimeout() to cancel the execution.

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More Examples

Example

Pop up "Hello" after 3 seconds (3000 milliseconds):

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

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Example

Change the text in the input field 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);

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Example

Open a new window and close it after 3 seconds:

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

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Example

Use clearTimeout() to prevent the function from executing:

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

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Example

Counter -- can be stopped by clicking the button:

function startCount()
function stopCount()

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Example

Show the current time:

function startTime(){
    var today = new Date();
    var h = today.getHours();
    var m = today.getMinutes();
    var s = today.getSeconds();
    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;
}

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Example

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

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

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However, if using an anonymous function, all browsers support:

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

Try it »

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Related Pages

Window Object: setInterval() Method

Window Object: setTimeout() Method

Window Object: clearTimeout() Method

Window Object ```