How to add a delay in a JavaScript loop?

Last Updated : 31 May, 2024

JavaScript doesn't offer any wait command to add a delay to the loops but we can do so using setTimeout method. This method executes a function, after waiting a specified number of milliseconds. Below given example illustrates how to add a delay to various loops:

For loop: JavaScript

for (let i=0; i<10; i++) { 
task(i); 
} 

function task(i) { 
setTimeout(function() { 
    // Add tasks to do 
}, 2000 * i); 
}

In the code given above you have to do 2000 * i at line 8 because setTimeout method inside the loop doesn't makes the loop pause but actually adds a delay to each iteration. Remember that all the iteration start their time together. Thus if we only do 2000 there, that will make all the iterations execute together and it will just give 2000 ms delay in the first iteration and all other iteration will happen instantly after it. Thus to avoid that we add 0 to first, 2000 to second, 4000 to third and it goes on.

Example: Below given program will print 0 to 9 in console after 2 seconds delay to each number using for loop.

JavaScript

<script>
for (let i=0; i<10; i++) {
   task(i);
}

function task(i) {
  setTimeout(function() {
      console.log(i);
  }, 2000 * i);
}
</script>

Output:

While loop: Same concept is applied to make below given while loop. JavaScript

let i = 0;
while (i < 10) {
  task(i);
   i++;
}
function task(i) {
  setTimeout(function() {
      // Add tasks to do
  }, 2000 * i);
}

Example: Below given program will print 0 to 9 in console after 2 seconds delay to each number using while loop.

JavaScript

<script>
let i = 0;
while (i < 10) {
  task(i);
   i++;
}
function task(i) {
  setTimeout(function() {
      console.log(i);
  }, 2000 * i);
}
</script>

Output:

Do-while loop: Same concept is applied to make below given do-while loop. JavaScript

let i = 0;
do {
  task(i);
  i++;
} while (i < 5);
function task(i) {
  setTimeout(function() {
    // Add tasks to do
  }, 2000 * i);
}

Example: Below given program will print 0 to 9 in console after 2 seconds delay to each number using do-while loop.

JavaScript

<script>
let i = 0;
do {
  task(i);
  i++;
} while (i < 5);
function task(i) {
  setTimeout(function() {
    console.log(i);
  }, 2000 * i);
}
</script>

Output:

Approach 4: Using async/await with setTimeout

ES6 introduced async functions which enable the use of await, which suspends the execution of an async function until the passed promise resolves. We can utilize this feature along with setTimeout to add delays to loops.

JavaScript

const delay = (ms) => new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));

const printNumbersWithDelay = async () => {
    for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
        await delay(2000); // wait for 2 seconds
        console.log(i);
    }
};

printNumbersWithDelay();