• It usually counts in binary or BCD, giving it the name binary counter or decade counter, respectively.
• It may loop back to the first count after counting the terminal count. These devices are called ring counters, as they will keep counting their numbers over and over, forming a loop or ring of numbers.
• They may either count only in one direction, or may be able to count both up and down: this is an up/down counter, or bidirectional counter.

See also ripple counter, Class C Machine, JK Flip-Flop.