What is the usual time gap before a grenade is released?

You don’t count before throwing a grenade —
the count happens after it’s thrown.

Here’s why.

When the pin is pulled, the grenade still does not explode immediately. As long as it’s being held properly, the safety lever (often called the handle or spoon) remains pressed in place and the fuse is not active.

Once the grenade is released, the lever disengages, the fuse ignites, and a short delay — usually around three to four seconds depending on the model — begins before detonation.

That’s why counting beforehand serves no real purpose.
Counting after the throw is meant to signal teammates how much time remains before the explosion.

This helps people take cover in time, protects hearing if no protection is worn, and prevents anyone from moving into a danger zone just before it’s hit by shrapnel.

Yes, movies often show characters releasing the lever, counting dramatically, and then throwing at the last second. In reality, actors usually keep holding the lever, so the timer never even starts.

If someone actually behaved like that in a real team situation, they would be a serious liability.

Explosives are not for experimentation or showmanship.
They demand discipline and respect.

Since the topic of “cooking a grenade” keeps coming up repeatedly, this explanation reflects training and operational standards within the Israeli Defense Forces. Practices may vary elsewhere, but even if such behavior were known, it would not be acceptable under my command.