timeout - Wait
In a batch file, you sometimes need to wait for a certain amount of time, like sleep or wait in other programming languages.
For example, you may want to launch an application with the start command and wait a few seconds for it to be ready before moving on to the next step.
To wait for a specified time in the command prompt or a batch file, use the timeout command. This article explains how to use it, from basic usage to options, with sample code.
Basic Usage of the timeout Command
The usage of the timeout command is as follows:
timeout /t <seconds> [/nobreak]The /t option is required. If you run the command without it, you will get the following error:
Specify the number of seconds to wait for /t in the range from -1 to 99999.
For example, to wait for 10 seconds, use the following command:
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The timeout command does not always wait for the full time.
The correct behavior is “wait for the specified time if the user does nothing.” Even with timeout /t 10, if the user presses a key, the wait ends and the next command runs.
To disable this behavior, use the /nobreak option.
With /nobreak, no key other than Ctrl + C can interrupt the wait.
Pressing Ctrl + C interrupts the batch file itself (you are asked “Terminate batch job (Y/N)?”).
Examples of the timeout Command
Waiting Indefinitely Until the User Takes Action
By specifying -1 for the /t option, you wait indefinitely until the user presses a key.
This is also useful at the end of a batch file to keep the window open so that the user can read the output.
Adding a Wait Time Between Commands in a Batch File
To add a wait time between commands, write the following:
@echo off
setlocal
echo Process 1
timeout /t 10
echo Process 2
endlocalSince /nobreak is not specified, the wait ends when the user presses a key and Process 2 runs.
Always Waiting the Full Time Between Commands
To prevent key presses from interrupting the wait, specify the /nobreak option.
@echo off
setlocal
echo Process 1
timeout /t 10 /nobreak
echo Process 2
endlocalWhen the timeout Command Does Not Work
The timeout command may fail with the following error when input redirection is used (for example, timeout /t 10 < input.txt) or in environments where standard input is unavailable:
In such cases, you can wait by using the reply time of a ping to 127.0.0.1. Specify the number of seconds to wait plus 1 for -n.
ping 127.0.0.1 -n 11 > nulThe above waits for about 10 seconds.