Abstract: During the use of a counter which provides an output indicating a numeric value corresponding to the number of pulses received at a terminal of the counter and which will count either up or down dependent upon a signal at another terminal of the counter, it is frequently necessary to set the counter at the start of a counting operation so that the output of the counter indicates a specific number. Such a counter can be set so as to indicate such a number through the use of a single switch. When the switch is closed a short time interval a single pulse is applied to the first terminal of the counter. When the switch is held closed for a longer time period a signal is applied to the other terminal of the counter so as to control the direction of the counting operation and a series of pulses is supplied to the first terminal of the counter. The switch will be held closed until the counter output indicates either a desired numeric value or a number in excess of this value.