> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sequenzy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Countdown Timers

> Add a live animated countdown timer to your emails

# Countdown Timers

A countdown timer creates urgency by showing each recipient how much time remains before your offer, event, or deadline passes. Sequenzy includes a native countdown block, so you do not need a third-party service.

## How It Works

Email clients strip JavaScript and have unreliable CSS animation support, so a real countdown cannot run with code inside the email. Instead, the countdown block renders as a server-generated **animated GIF**.

When a recipient opens your email, their client requests the timer image and Sequenzy calculates the time remaining at that moment, then returns a GIF that ticks down. This is the only countdown technique that renders reliably in Gmail, Apple Mail, and Outlook.

## Adding a Timer

1. While editing a campaign or automation email, open the block menu or type `/countdown`
2. Insert the **Countdown Timer** block
3. Open its settings to configure the timer

## Settings

* **Style**: choose Boxed, Minimal, Bold, Outlined, Circle, or Circle Solid. The Circle styles render each unit as a round dial with a sweeping progress ring that empties as time runs out (outlined, or a solid accent disc). Every style uses your brand primary color automatically.
* **Deadline**: set the date and time the timer counts down to. You pick it in your local time, and every recipient counts down to that same absolute moment. Quick-pick presets (Tonight, Tomorrow, Next Monday, End of month, and more) set common deadlines in one click.
* **Show labels**: toggle the unit labels under each number. When off, the timer shows numbers only and shrinks to fit.
* **When expired**: choose what the timer shows after the deadline passes. Show zeros freezes on 00:00:00, or Show message replaces the digits with custom copy such as "Offer expired". A live preview in the settings shows exactly how the expired state will look.
* **Accent color**: override the brand primary color for this timer.
* **Link URL**: optionally make the whole timer clickable, for example linking to your sale page.

## Localized Labels

The unit labels are automatically translated to your company's email language. If you send in Ukrainian, the timer shows ДНІ / ГОД / ХВ / СЕК; in German, TAGE / STD / MIN / SEK; and so on. The label text is baked into the image, so it renders correctly in every email client. English is used for any language without a built-in translation.

## Good To Know

* The timer counts down from the moment each recipient opens the email and keeps ticking for one minute. Re-opening the email fetches a fresh, up-to-date timer.
* Some clients cache images. Gmail's image proxy in particular may briefly serve a slightly stale timer on a quick re-open, but the first open is always accurate.
* The deadline is the same for everyone. Keep deadlines real: recipients quickly learn to ignore fake urgency.

## Best Practices

* Place the timer near your call-to-action button so the urgency connects directly to the action you want.
* Use timers for genuinely time-limited moments: flash sales, registration deadlines, early-bird pricing, or trial expirations.
* Send a test email and confirm the timer renders the way you expect before publishing.