Disclosed is an N-bit counter including: an N-bit counting circuit starting counting from an initial value to generate a count value composed of N bits, and being loaded with the initial value to restart counting from the initial value when a reload signal changes from a first reload level to a second reload level; a reload signal generating circuit having the reload signal change from the first reload level to the second reload level when the logical conjunction of K bit(s) among the N bits changes from a first value to a second value; and a reset circuit having a reset signal change from a first reset level to a second reset level so as to have the reload signal change from the second reload level to the first reload level and thereby allow the N-bit counting circuit to restart counting.