How to Add a Countdown Timer to Squarespace
Squarespace makes beautiful sites, but it has no built-in countdown timer. Here's how to add one with Rija in a few minutes, on any plan.
A countdown timer creates urgency, and urgency sells. Whether you're running a limited offer, launching a product, opening event registration, or teasing a new drop, a ticking clock tells visitors that now is the moment to act. Squarespace is a lovely platform for design, but it doesn't ship with a native countdown timer. This guide shows you how to add one using Rija.io, whichever Squarespace plan you're on.
Why add a countdown timer to Squarespace?
The reasons come down to timing and attention:
- Sales & promotions: a visible deadline on a sale banner or product page nudges hesitant shoppers to check out.
- Product launches: build anticipation before a release goes live with a count-down to launch day.
- Events & webinars: show exactly how long until doors open, in each visitor's own timezone.
- Announcements: flag the end of early-bird pricing, a coupon expiry, or a shipping cut-off.
A well-placed Squarespace countdown timer gives all of these a sense of momentum that static text can't.
What you'll need
Before you start, build your timer in Rija.io. Sign in at app.rija.io, create a countdown, set the target date and time, style it, and then open the Publish step. Rija gives you two things there: an embed snippet (a single lightweight <script> that loads asynchronously, with an iframe option) and a hosted timer URL you can link to or embed directly. Keep that tab open - you'll paste one of these into Squarespace.
Method 1: Code Block (Business plan and above)
The cleanest way to add a countdown timer to Squarespace is with a Code Block, which lets you paste Rija's embed snippet straight into the page. Be aware that Code Blocks require a Business plan or higher - they aren't available on the Personal plan. If you're on Business, Commerce, or above, this is the method to use.
- In Rija, copy the embed snippet from the Publish step.
- In Squarespace, open the page and click Edit.
- Click an Add Block point (the insertion marker) where you want the timer.
- Search for "Code" and choose the Code Block.
- Paste the Rija snippet into the code field.
- Click out of the block, then Save and preview the live page.
The script loads asynchronously, so it won't slow your page down, and the timer stays accurate to each visitor's local time.
Method 2: Embed Block or hosted URL (any plan)
On the Personal plan - or if you'd simply rather not touch code - use an Embed Block instead. This works with Rija's iframe option or the hosted timer URL.
- In Rija, copy either the iframe embed or the hosted timer URL from the Publish step.
- In Squarespace, open the page, click Edit, then Add Block.
- Search for "Embed" and choose the Embed Block.
- Paste the URL, or use the code option to paste the iframe.
- Save and preview.
This gives you a working countdown timer for Squarespace without needing a higher-tier plan. For a broader look at embedding timers anywhere, see our guide on how to add a countdown timer to any website.
Where to place your timer
Think about where a deadline does the most work:
- Product pages: next to the price or add-to-cart button for time-limited offers.
- Homepage sections: a hero or feature section to headline a sale or launch.
- Announcement areas: near the top of a landing page for early-bird or coupon deadlines.
Customising & styling in Rija
All of the styling happens in Rija before you publish, so it looks right the moment it lands on your page. You can choose from 1000+ Google Fonts, set digit and label colours, and pick a background - solid, gradient, image, or video. Add digit animations (flip, slide, fade, or pulse), set a custom pixel size to fit your section. Every timer is timezone-accurate per visitor, so nobody sees the wrong number.
Gradients and custom sizing are free. Image and video backgrounds, logo upload, CTA buttons, and analytics are Pro features.
Troubleshooting
A few things that trip people up:
- No Code Block option? That block requires a Business plan or higher. Use the Embed Block method instead.
- Snippet stripped or not rendering? Make sure you pasted into a Code Block (not a Text Block, which strips scripts). If a script is still blocked, fall back to the iframe or hosted URL in an Embed Block.
- Wrong time showing? Rija renders in each visitor's timezone automatically. Double-check the target date and time you set in Rija, not your device clock.
Free vs Pro
The free plan gives you unlimited timers and views, plus gradients and custom sizing, with a small Rija watermark. Pro is $7/mo or $59/yr; it removes the watermark and unlocks image/video backgrounds, logo upload, CTA buttons, and analytics. Free is plenty to launch your first Squarespace countdown timer today.
Can I add a countdown timer to Squarespace without a Business plan?
Yes. Use an Embed Block with Rija's iframe or hosted timer URL, which works on any plan. The Code Block method needs a Business plan or higher.
Why is my Rija snippet not showing up on Squarespace?
Make sure you pasted it into a Code Block rather than a Text Block, which strips scripts. If the script is still blocked, use the iframe or hosted URL in an Embed Block instead.
Will the timer show the correct time for visitors in other countries?
Yes. Rija timers are timezone-accurate per visitor, so each person sees the countdown relative to their own local time automatically.