# Delay
URL: /reference/blocks/system-delay
Type: reference
Description: Pause the workflow for up to 30 seconds before continuing the next step.
Keywords: delay, system/delay, system, block, workflow builder
`system/delay` — Pause the workflow for up to 30 seconds before continuing the next step.

Where it appears [#where-it-appears]

The **Delay** block lives in the **Logic & control** group of the Workflow Builder.

Fields [#fields]

| Field     | Type                       | Required | Default | Description                                                                                           |
| --------- | -------------------------- | -------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `delayMs` | text (supports references) | Yes      | `5000`  | Delay in milliseconds. Maximum 30000 (30 seconds). Accepts a number or a \<NodeName.field> reference. |

Inputs and outputs [#inputs-and-outputs]

Inputs are the configurable fields above. The block produces these outputs:

**Outputs**

Reference an output downstream with `<Delay.field>`.

| Name      | Type    | Description                                          |
| --------- | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `success` | boolean | Whether the delay completed                          |
| `delayMs` | number  | Effective delay in milliseconds (clamped to 0–30000) |

Example [#example]

A minimal configuration for this block:

```json
{
  "type": "system/delay",
  "config": {
    "delayMs": "5000"
  }
}
```

Limits and failure modes [#limits-and-failure-modes]

* Required field (`delayMs`) must be set, or the block fails validation before it runs.

Related [#related]

* [All workflow blocks](/reference/blocks)
* [Workflow Builder overview](/workflow-builder-overview)