An apparatus comprises a programmable delay line (PDL) to receive a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal as input and to generate a first output; a selection unit to provide PWM signal or its inverted version as a second output; and a sequential unit coupled to the PDL to sample the second output with the first output and to generate a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) output. A voltage regulator comprises mutually coupled on-die inductors for coupling to a load; a bridge coupled to the mutually coupled on-die inductors, including a low-side switch and a high-side switch; a PWM controller for controlling the low-side and high-side switches during a first load current; and a PFM controller for controlling the low-side and high-side switches during a second load current, the second load current being smaller than the first load current, the PFM controller comprising a comparator and a first PDL coupled to the comparator.