Rocket Launch Countdown Timer

What are you most proud of, and what would you do differently next time?

I'm most proud of how clean and visually engaging the countdown timer turned out. I paid attention to the small CSS details, like the animated flip effect, spacing, and responsiveness, which really brought the design to life. It was satisfying to see the countdown update in real-time and adapt smoothly across screen sizes.

If I were to do it again, I’d focus more on accessibility—adding screen reader support and better keyboard navigation. I’d also consider breaking the timer into reusable components and using JavaScript modules to make the codebase cleaner and more maintainable for larger-scale projects.

What challenges did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?

One of the main challenges I faced was accurately calculating and updating the remaining time down to the second without drift or delay. JavaScript's setInterval can be unreliable over long periods, so I had to ensure the timer recalculated the time difference from the target date on each tick rather than simply subtracting one second. This kept the countdown precise.

Another challenge was styling the timer to match the design while keeping it responsive. I spent time experimenting with CSS flexbox and grid to get the layout just right across different screen sizes. I also ran into issues with text alignment and spacing, which I fixed by refining my CSS and using rem units instead of fixed pixels.

Debugging and testing across browsers helped me catch small inconsistencies, and I used browser dev tools extensively to tweak both timing and styling until everything felt smooth.

What specific areas of your project would you like help with?

Time Calculation Accuracy: I'm currently using JavaScript's setInterval to update the timer every second. I'd like advice on the best way to prevent time drift and keep the countdown as accurate as possible over long periods.

CSS Animations: I implemented some basic flip or fade animations for the countdown numbers. I’m open to suggestions on how to make them smoother and more visually polished using CSS or JavaScript.

Responsiveness: The timer layout works on most screen sizes, but I’d like input on improving its responsiveness—especially for very small screens or when embedded in a container.

Accessibility: I’d like to know how I can make the timer more accessible—for example, how to support screen readers or improve keyboard navigation for users who rely on assistive technologies.

Code Structure & Best Practices: I'm using plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Any tips on how to better structure the JavaScript code or make it more modular would be very helpful.