[STM32](https://www.ampheo.com/search/STM32) [microcontrollers](https://www.ampheo.com/c/microcontrollers) offer multiple types of timers, each optimized for specific applications such as timekeeping, PWM, input capture, output compare, and encoder interfacing. Here's a comprehensive overview of the STM32 Timer types and their typical use cases:

**1. General-Purpose Timers (TIM2–TIM5, TIM9–TIM14)**
**Features:**
* 16-bit or 32-bit counters
* Up/down counting
* PWM generation
* Input capture / output compare
* Interrupt and DMA support

**Applications:**
* Generating periodic interrupts (e.g., system tick)
* PWM for motor control or LED dimming
* Measuring input pulse width (e.g., ultrasonic distance sensors)
* Debouncing buttons with timer delay

**2. Advanced-Control Timers (TIM1, TIM8)**
**Features:**
* All general-purpose features
* Dead-time insertion
* Complementary outputs (CH1/CH1N, etc.)
* Break and fault inputs
* Designed for motor control (e.g., 3-phase)

**Applications:**
* Motor control (BLDC, PMSM)
* High-resolution PWM for power electronics
* Inverter control
* Safety-critical applications (with break/lock features)

**3. Basic Timers (TIM6, TIM7)**
**Features:**
* Simple 16-bit timers with no input/output channels
* Mainly used for time base generation
* Can trigger DAC or ADC conversions

**Applications:**
* Time delays or periodic interrupts
* Triggering DACs (e.g., waveform generation)
* Scheduling RTOS tasks
* Software timers for non-critical tasks

**4. System Timer (SysTick)**
**Features:**
* 24-bit timer built into the Cortex-M core
* Typically used for OS tick or simple timekeeping
* High-priority interrupt

**Applications:**
* RTOS tick timer (e.g., FreeRTOS)
* Simple millisecond or microsecond counters
* Delay functions (HAL_Delay())

**5. Low-Power Timers (LPTIM1, LPTIM2)**
**Features:**
* Designed for operation in low-power modes (e.g., STOP/SLEEP)
* 16-bit with wake-up capability
* Can be clocked by LSE, LSI

**Applications:**
* RTC-style low-power timekeeping
* Wake-up timers in sleep mode
* Capacitive touch sensing (via external pulses)
* Energy-efficient PWM

**6. Real-Time Clock (RTC)**
**Features:**
* Counts real time (seconds, minutes, etc.)
* Powered by LSE or LSI (low-frequency clock)
* Calendar, alarms, timestamping
* Runs in backup domain

**Applications:**
* Calendar and timekeeping
* Time-stamped data logging
* Wakeup events from standby or shutdown
* Battery-powered devices

**Typical STM32 Timer Use Case Matrix**

**Bonus: Using TIM for Quadrature Encoders**
General-purpose and advanced timers can be configured for encoder mode:

c

htim2.Instance = TIM2;
htim2.Init.EncoderMode = TIM_ENCODERMODE_TI12;

Used in:

* Rotary encoders for angle/speed detection
* Robotics, CNC, motor feedback