# Delay
The **Delay** block allows you to pause your TaskBot for a specified duration (in seconds) before moving to the next block.
By default, the pause time is **randomized** between the minimum and maximum values you set. This makes your TaskBot’s actions appear more natural to websites that might use anti-bot detection measures.
{% hint style="success" %}
Setting the **same value** for both minimum and maximum values allows you to use a **fixed delay** instead of a random one.
{% endhint %}
#### How To Use It
The Delay block has two fields:
1. **Minimum (seconds)**: The shortest possible pause duration.
2. **Maximum (seconds)**: The longest possible pause duration.
#### Things To Know
* The default value for both fields is **1 second**.
* You can enter **decimal values** (for example, `1.50` for 1.5 seconds.)
* Both fields accept [variable](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-variables) and [table](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-tables) references.
{% hint style="warning" %}
If a variable or table reference contains an invalid value for the Delay block (for example, text instead of a number), the Delay block will be skipped, and your TaskBot will move to the next block immediately without any delay.
{% endhint %}
#### Block Behavior
* If you enter the **same number** in both fields, the pause time will always be that exact duration. For example, when specifying 4 seconds for both minimum and maximum durations, your TaskBot will pause for exactly 4 seconds.
* If the **maximum is less than the minimum**, your TaskBot will pause for the **minimum** duration instead. For example, if maximum duration is 4 seconds but the minimum duration is 10 seconds, your TaskBot will pause for exactly 10 seconds.
* If you **leave either field empty**, the delay block will be skipped.
* Setting both values to **0** means your TaskBot will move to the next step **without pausing**.
#### Examples & Use Cases
Throttling sequential API requests with a Delay block
