making a timer (00:00) minutes and seconds

Question

Ok, so Im trying to make a game timer that increments every second and displays it in the format of MM:SS

Heres what I have

 public static float timer;
 public static bool timeStarted = false;
 
 void Update ()
  {
     if (timeStarted == true) 
    {
         timer += Time.deltaTime;
     }       
 }
 
 void OnGUI()
  {
     float minutes = Mathf.Floor(timer / 60);
     float seconds = timer%60;
 
     GUI.Label(new Rect(10,10,250,100), minutes + ":" + Mathf.RoundToInt(seconds));
 }

but it outputs M:S (if the seconds is over 10 then obviously the seconds will be double digit) would anyone be able to explain where im going wrong?

Answer 1

Best Answer

Answer by LoTekK · Feb 01, 2011 at 06:40 PM

I would imagine there's a cleaner way to do this, but:

 float minutes = Mathf.Floor(timer / 60);
 float seconds = Mathf.RoundToInt(timer%60);
 
 if(minutes < 10) {
     minutes = "0" + minutes.ToString();
 }
 if(seconds < 10) {
     seconds = "0" + Mathf.RoundToInt(seconds).ToString();
 }
 GUI.Label(new Rect(10,10,250,100), minutes + ":" + seconds);

Here I'm just converting the float to a string if the value is less than 10, and sticking a leading zero on. Also, performing the RoundToInt at the variable definition instead of in the GUI.Label call. Haven't had time to actually test it, but that should work.

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asafsitner · May 20, 2012 at 11:32 AM 9

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The cleaner way of doing it is use the built-in option for custom `ToString()` formats as such:

 float minutes = Mathf.Floor(timer / 60).ToString("00");
 float seconds = (timer % 60).ToString("00);

This will force the number to always display at least two-digits even when their value is lower than 10, replacing the first digit with a 0. When using the similar format of "#0" the first digit will only show if the number's value is greater than or equal to 10.

ismaelnascimento01 asafsitner · May 11, 2018 at 04:16 AM 2

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Right...:

 void Update(){
    float timer += Time.deltaTime;
 
     string minutes = Mathf.Floor(timer / 60).ToString("00");
     string seconds = (timer % 60).ToString("00");
     
     print(string.Format("{0}:{1}", minutes, seconds));
 }

raptorkwok · Feb 21, 2014 at 02:44 AM 0

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You can't cast float to string. Codes don't compile at all.

raphik12 · May 27, 2014 at 04:26 PM 1

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That's what asafsitner wanted to type:

 string minutes = Mathf.Floor(timer / 60).ToString("00");
 string seconds = (timer % 60).ToString("00");

bbharier · Sep 02, 2014 at 01:40 AM 7

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You'll want to add a Mathf.Floor to the seconds as well, if to prevent a display bug where you see 00:60 for half a second. (It rounds the displayed seconds up to 60 from 59.9999 - 59.5)

 string minutes = Mathf.Floor(timer / 60).ToString("00");
 string seconds = Mathf.Floor(timer % 60).ToString("00");

zero3growlithe · Jan 04, 2015 at 03:24 PM 9

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I have a method in C# that has some code formattings implemented if anyone will find it useful:

 public string FloatToTime (float toConvert, string format){
         switch (format){
             case "00.0":
                 return string.Format("{0:00}:{1:0}", 
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*10) % 10));//miliseconds
             break;
             case "#0.0":
                 return string.Format("{0:#0}:{1:0}", 
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*10) % 10));//miliseconds
             break;
             case "00.00":
                 return string.Format("{0:00}:{1:00}", 
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*100) % 100));//miliseconds
             break;
             case "00.000":
                 return string.Format("{0:00}:{1:000}", 
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*1000) % 1000));//miliseconds
             break;
             case "#00.000":
                 return string.Format("{0:#00}:{1:000}", 
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*1000) % 1000));//miliseconds
             break;
             case "#0:00":
                 return string.Format("{0:#0}:{1:00}",
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert / 60),//minutes
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60);//seconds
             break;
             case "#00:00":
                 return string.Format("{0:#00}:{1:00}", 
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert / 60),//minutes
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60);//seconds
             break;
             case "0:00.0":
                 return string.Format("{0:0}:{1:00}.{2:0}",
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert / 60),//minutes
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*10) % 10));//miliseconds
             break;
             case "#0:00.0":
                 return string.Format("{0:#0}:{1:00}.{2:0}",
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert / 60),//minutes
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*10) % 10));//miliseconds
             break;
             case "0:00.00":
                 return string.Format("{0:0}:{1:00}.{2:00}",
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert / 60),//minutes
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*100) % 100));//miliseconds
             break;
             case "#0:00.00":
                 return string.Format("{0:#0}:{1:00}.{2:00}",
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert / 60),//minutes
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*100) % 100));//miliseconds
             break;
             case "0:00.000":
                 return string.Format("{0:0}:{1:00}.{2:000}",
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert / 60),//minutes
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*1000) % 1000));//miliseconds
             break;
             case "#0:00.000":
                 return string.Format("{0:#0}:{1:00}.{2:000}",
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert / 60),//minutes
                     Mathf.Floor(toConvert) % 60,//seconds
                     Mathf.Floor((toConvert*1000) % 1000));//miliseconds
             break;
         }
         return "error";
     }

Answer 2

Answer by jashan · Sep 08, 2012 at 06:45 PM

Actually, there's a much nicer way of doing this:

 void OnGUI() {
     int minutes = Mathf.FloorToInt(timer / 60F);
     int seconds = Mathf.FloorToInt(timer - minutes * 60);

     string niceTime = string.Format("{0:0}:{1:00}", minutes, seconds);
 
     GUI.Label(new Rect(10,10,250,100), niceTime);
 }

This will give you times in the 0:00 format. If you'd rather have 00:00, simply do

     string niceTime = string.Format("{0:00}:{1:00}", minutes, seconds);

There's a couple of possibilities you have with the formats here: {0:#.00} would give you something like 3.00 or 10.12 or 123.45. For stuff like scores, you might want something like {0:00000} which would give you 00001 or 02523 or 20000 (or 2000000 if that's your score ;-) ). Basically, the formatting part allows any kind of formatting (so you can also use this to format date times and other complex types). Basically, this means {indexOfParameter:formatting}.

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StabbingBogan · Jul 24, 2015 at 06:13 AM 0

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Works beautifully. Thankyou

Animatick · Sep 01, 2015 at 05:53 AM 0

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i have to say thank you .....ive been working on this problem for days going crazy and this solution works great i was jumping up and down for join when i saw it working....thank you

Eco-Editor · Jun 20, 2017 at 11:50 AM 0

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Hi @jashan Where should I place this script? I use steamVR, and placing it on the cameraRig- eyes will not worl for me.

devilb2103 · Nov 20, 2020 at 04:07 PM 0

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Wow this works great, but when I reload the scene it doesn't reset. Any idea why?

Xain devilb2103 · Nov 20, 2020 at 05:28 PM 0

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maybe you have static script?

unity_AmSezFmN7VbhDQ · Nov 07, 2021 at 12:45 PM 0

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 string niceTime = string.Format("{0:00}:{1:00}", minutes, seconds);

It says that minutes and seconds don't exist in the context, do I still need to add the int minutes part? I thought it declared it in that but I could be wrong

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Answer 3

Answer by YasinJavaid_ · Jul 15, 2016 at 11:15 AM

sorry guys its late but single line solution is here

 (totalTimeSec / 60 ).ToString("00")  + ":" + (totalTimeSec%60).ToString("00");

 or 
 
 Mathf.Floor(totalTimeSec / 60 ).ToString("00")  + ":" + Mathf.FloorToInt(totalTimeSec%60).ToString("00");

try 2nd solution.

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rbernalandreo · Aug 30, 2018 at 09:52 AM 0

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You forgot the Mathf.Floor (With 31 seconds, with your solutions shows 01:31)

 Mathf.Floor(totalTimeSec / 60 ).ToString("00")  + ":" + Mathf.FloorToInt(totalTimeSec%60).ToString("00");

YasinJavaid_ · Oct 15, 2019 at 05:20 AM 0

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Thanks for mentioning added to answer

Answer 4

Answer by Stardog · Jun 02, 2013 at 10:49 AM

Here is the example burnumd mentioned:

 public float timer;
 public string timerFormatted;

 void Update()
 {
     System.TimeSpan t = System.TimeSpan.FromSeconds(timer);

     timerFormatted = string.Format("{0:D2}h:{1:D2}m:{2:D2}s:{3:D3}ms", t.Hours, t.Minutes, t.Seconds, t.Milliseconds);
 }

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BMayne · Sep 02, 2014 at 02:55 AM 0

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Hey Stardog,

You can just go t.ToString("hh:mm:ss:fffffff");

Regards,

Answer 5

Answer by burnumd · Feb 01, 2011 at 07:32 PM

Look into using C#'s string.Format. I'd recommend looking at this StackOverflow exchange which explains using it to display a time however you want it using a TimeSpan which you can create by calling new System.TimeSpan.FromSeconds (timer).

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CarlLawl · Feb 03, 2011 at 04:38 PM 0

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i thought string.Format was js only because when i tried typing it in c# in monodev it was throwing up error, any reason why? ive check out that link though thanks!

burnumd · Feb 03, 2011 at 06:20 PM 0

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There could be lots of reasons why it threw up an error. Can you tell me what error you're getting?

making a timer (00:00) minutes and seconds

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