Stopwatch

Quick answer: Stopwatch is simple, accurate free online stopwatch with lap and split times. Start, pause, record laps and reset — no signup, runs entirely in your browser. As a free online tool, it needs no signup or download — everything runs privately in your browser.

A simple, accurate free online stopwatch with lap and split times. Start, pause, record laps and reset — no signup, runs entirely in your browser.

What is the Stopwatch?

A stopwatch online measures elapsed time with precision, right in your browser tab. Ours is accurate to hundredths of a second and includes lap and split timing, so you can time a whole workout, race or experiment while recording intermediate checkpoints along the way.

There is nothing to install and no account to create — open the page and press Start. The large, easy-to-read display shows hours, minutes, seconds and hundredths, and every lap you record is listed below with both the lap time and the total elapsed time at that moment. Use the lap button for interval training, cooking stages, track splits or timing each part of a presentation rehearsal.

Because the stopwatch is driven by your device’s high-resolution clock, it keeps accurate time even when the tab is in the background or your screen is off. It is completely free, works on phones, tablets and desktops, and never sends any data anywhere — your timings stay on your device. Whether you are timing a sprint, a science experiment or a pizza in the oven, the stopwatch’s job is simple: tell you exactly how much time has passed, without fuss or clutter.

How to use the Stopwatch

  1. Press Start to begin timing. The display counts up in hours, minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second.
  2. Press Lap any time to record a checkpoint — each lap shows its own duration plus the total elapsed time so far.
  3. Press Pause (the Start button toggles) to freeze the clock without losing your elapsed time or laps.
  4. Press Reset to clear the display and the lap list back to zero whenever you are ready for a fresh run.
  5. Review your laps in the list below the timer to compare splits, pacing or round-by-round performance.

Stopwatch use cases

Sports and fitness training

Runners time laps around the track, swimmers time lengths, and gym-goers time rest intervals between sets. Lap splits reveal pacing problems — like starting too fast — that a single total time would hide.

Cooking and baking

Keep the stopwatch running while a recipe moves through stages: 10 minutes simmering, 5 minutes resting. Laps mark each stage so you can coordinate multiple dishes without guesswork. Multiple dishes become manageable when each stage gets its own lap marker on the same running clock.

Study and work sprints

Time how long tasks actually take instead of guessing. Students use it for practice exams under real time pressure, and freelancers use it to log billable minutes honestly. Knowing a practice section took 22 minutes instead of the guessed 15 teaches realistic planning fast.

Games and challenges

From speedcubing to board-game turns to friendly cooking competitions, a shared stopwatch on screen keeps casual contests fair and fun. A visible running clock adds honest pressure that makes casual competitions feel like real events.

Tips

  • For the most accurate results on mobile, keep the page open in the foreground — background tabs can throttle display updates on some browsers.
  • Name your laps mentally by what you were doing (warm-up, set one, set two) so the split list tells a story when you review it later.
  • Combine the stopwatch with a notepad: jot each lap time into notes if you want a permanent record beyond the session.
  • If you only need a rough measure, the countdown timer on this site is better for ‘time remaining’ tasks; the stopwatch is for ‘time spent’ tasks.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is this online stopwatch?
The stopwatch reads your device's high-resolution system clock and displays hundredths of a second, which is more than enough for training, cooking, studying and casual racing. It is not certified for official competition timing, where dedicated hardware and photo-finish systems are required.
Can I record lap times?
Yes. Press the Lap button at any checkpoint and the stopwatch records that lap's duration alongside the total elapsed time. All laps appear in a list under the timer so you can compare splits side by side. Press Lap as often as you like — there is no limit, and the full list stays visible until you reset.
Does it keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. Elapsed time is calculated from timestamps on your device clock, not from screen updates, so switching tabs, minimizing the browser or locking your phone will not lose time. The display simply catches up when you return. The display updates the moment you return, showing the correct elapsed time with nothing lost.
Is the stopwatch free to use?
Completely free, with no signup, no ads interrupting your timing and no limits on how long you can run it. It works on desktop and mobile browsers alike. There are no premium tiers, accounts or trial periods — the full stopwatch with laps is free forever.
Does it save my lap times?
Lap times live on the page for the current session only and are cleared when you press Reset or leave the page. If you need a permanent record, copy the lap list into a notes app before closing the tab.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. The stopwatch is designed to work in any modern mobile browser. Add the page to your home screen for one-tap access during workouts or track sessions. It runs in any modern mobile browser, and adding the page to your home screen gives one-tap access.
What is the difference between lap and split times?
They are two views of the same data: a lap time is how long one segment took, while the split (total elapsed) is the clock reading when that lap ended. The lap list shows both so you can analyze pacing and totals together.