diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0b8fd17..397704d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -85,14 +85,29 @@ mtimer_position = bl
 mtimer_timezone_offset = 0
 mtimer_visible = true
 
+mtimer_hud_element_offset_x = 0
+mtimer_hud_element_offset_y = 0
+
 mtimer_host_time_format = {24h}:{min} ({isodate})
 mtimer_ingame_time_format = {24h}:{min}
 mtimer_real_time_format = {24h}:{min} ({isodate})
 mtimer_session_duration_format = {hours}:{minutes}
 mtimer_session_start_time_format = {isodate}T{isotime}
+mtimer_timer_format = S('Current Date: @1', '{rd}'){_n}S('Ingame Time: @1', '{it}'){_n}S('Session Start: @1', '{st}'){_n}S('Session Duration: @1', '{sd}')
+
+mtimer_custom_timer_running_format = d: {days}, h: {hours}, m: {minutes}, s: {seconds}
+mtimer_custom_timer_stopped_format = S('The timer is stopped')
+mtimer_custom_timer_finished_format = S('The timer has finished')
+
+mtimer_custom_timer_value_days = 0
+mtimer_custom_timer_value_hours = 0
+mtimer_custom_timer_value_minutes = 0
+mtimer_custom_timer_value_seconds = 0
+
+mtimer_custom_timer_mode = countdown
 ```
 
-The timer format and the HUD element’s offset can’t be set because those values need special formatting that can’t be done using Minetest’s settings API right now. Namely a serialized table for the offset and a string with newlines
+The `mtimer_timer_format` value allows a special replacement variable. All occurrences of a literal `{_n}` will be replaced with a newline. This is done because configuration values cannot have a newline. All `S()` values are translated. Unfortunately currently you cannot set translatable string in configuration options.
 
 ## Known Issues
 
diff --git a/system/load_configuration.lua b/system/load_configuration.lua
index 90fd379..63f6d8f 100644
--- a/system/load_configuration.lua
+++ b/system/load_configuration.lua
@@ -26,31 +26,52 @@ local worldconfig = Settings(worldpath..DIR_DELIM..'_mtimer.conf')
 --   2. `_mtimer.conf` in the loaded world’s directory
 --   3. Provided default value when calling the function
 --
+-- If the value `return_only` is set then the function does only return the
+-- determined value instead of writing the meta table entry.
+--
+-- If `replace` is a key-value table then occurrences of the key in a special
+-- variable in the configuration value are replaced.
+--
+--   replace = {
+--     foobar = 'My Foobar Value'
+--   }
+--
+-- This example searches for all variables `{_foobar}` and replaces them with
+-- `'My Foobar Value'`. Note the underscore. The underscore prevents confusion
+-- with timer-related variables.
+--
 -- @param key_name The unprefixed name of the key to get
 -- @param default_value What to return when the configuration option is missing
--- @param changeable If the option is changeable via the config files
+-- @param return_only Only return the configuration value and do nothing
+-- @param replace A replacement table as described
 -- @return string Either the configuration option’s value or an empty string
-local set = function (key_name, default_value, changeable)
+local set = function (key_name, default_value, return_only, replace)
     local meta_key = 'mtimer:'..key_name
     local config_option = 'mtimer_'..key_name
     local value = default_value
 
-    if changeable ~= false then
-        local global_setting = minetest.settings:get(config_option)
-        local world_setting = worldconfig:get(config_option)
-        value = world_setting or global_setting or default_value or ''
-    end
+    -- Get the setting from one of the possible locations
+    local global_setting = minetest.settings:get(config_option)
+    local world_setting = worldconfig:get(config_option)
 
-    mtimer.meta[key_name] = {
-        key = meta_key,
-        default = tostring(value)
-    }
+    -- Define value
+    value = world_setting or global_setting or default_value or ''
+    if type(replace) == 'table' then value=value:gsub('{_([^}]*)}',replace) end
+
+    -- Return or store value
+    if return_only == true then return tostring(value) end
+    mtimer.meta[key_name] = { key = meta_key, default = tostring(value) }
 end
 
 
+-- Set HUD element offset table using the custom values
+set('hud_element_offset', minetest.serialize({
+    x = set('hud_element_offset_x', 0, true),
+    y = set('hud_element_offset_y', 0, true)
+}))
+
 -- Display settings
 set('color', '#ffffff')
-set('hud_element_offset', minetest.serialize({ x = 0, y = 0 }), false)
 set('hud_element_size', 1)
 set('position', 'bl')
 set('timezone_offset', 0)
@@ -81,16 +102,21 @@ set('session_start_time_format', '{isodate}T{isotime}')
 --               and the stored `start_timestamp`. Here the `target_message`
 --               is ignored and will never be shown.
 set('custom_timer_settings', minetest.serialize({
-    values = { days = 0, hours = 0, minutes = 0, seconds = 0 },
+    values = {
+        days = tonumber(set('custom_timer_value_days', 0, true)),
+        hours = tonumber(set('custom_timer_value_hours', 0, true)),
+        minutes = tonumber(set('custom_timer_value_minutes', 0, true)),
+        seconds = tonumber(set('custom_timer_value_seconds', 0, true))
+    },
     start_timestamp = 0,
     format = {
-        running = 'd: {days}, h: {hours}, m: {minutes}, s: {seconds}',
-        stopped = S('The timer is stopped'),
-        finished = S('The timer has finished')
+        running = set('custom_timer_running_format', 'd: {days}, h: {hours}, m: {minutes}, s: {seconds}', true),
+        stopped = set('custom_timer_stopped_format', S('The timer is stopped'), true),
+        finished = set('custom_timer_finished_format', S('The timer has finished'), true)
     },
-    timer_mode = 'countdown',
+    timer_mode = set('custom_timer_mode', 'countdown', true),
     running = false
-}), false)
+}))
 
 
 -- Timer display format (the HUD element’s content)
@@ -99,4 +125,4 @@ set('timer_format', table.concat({
     S('Ingame Time: @1', '{it}'),
     S('Session Start: @1', '{st}'),
     S('Session Duration: @1', '{sd}')
-}, '\n'), false)
+}, '{_n}'), false, { n = '\n' })