Both formats answer the same question: where are we in time? They answer it in opposite ways, and picking the wrong one makes your page feel flat.
A countdown looks forward
A countdown shows what is left: 12 days, 4 hours, 31 minutes. It works best when something specific is waiting at the end.
- A product launch or a release date
- A ticket sale, a trip, a wedding
- A deadline you want people to act before
The emotion is anticipation, sometimes urgency. The number only goes down, so it is at its best when the end is close.
A progress bar looks at momentum
A progress bar shows what is done: 68% complete. It works best when the event has a duration and people care about the journey.
- A sports season, a tournament or a TV season
- A long project, a challenge, a training plan
- A fundraising campaign or a school term
The emotion is momentum. Every visit shows a bit more progress than the last one, which gives people a reason to come back.
Quick decision guide
| Situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| One moment people wait for | Countdown |
| A period with a start and an end | Progress bar |
| You want urgency | Countdown |
| You want people to follow along | Progress bar |
| Short window (under a week) | Countdown |
| Long window (weeks or months) | Progress bar |
You can have both from one page
An EventCompletion page is defined by one name and two dates. From those it shows the percentage completed and the time remaining, for example “68%” next to “23 days left”. It updates on its own every time someone opens it, so there is nothing to maintain.
How to set it up
- Open the create page.
- Enter a name and pick a start date and an end date.
- Optionally add a cover image. It also appears on the share preview.
- Share the public link, or use the Embed button to put it on your site or in Notion.
No account is required.
A few tips
- Use the real start date, not the day you created the page. The bar is only honest if it starts when the event does.
- Pick a cover image with a clear subject. It is shown on the page and in link previews.
- Name the event for what people search for, such as “Spring Product Launch” rather than “Project 1”.
Ready to try it? Create your event in under a minute.