Press start (or the space bar) to begin. Tap Lap to record split times. Accurate to 1/100 of a second and it keeps running even if you reload the page.
How to use the online stopwatch
- Press the Start button or the space bar to start the stopwatch.
- Press Lap (or L) to record a lap. Each lap shows its own time and the total time.
- Press Pause (or the space bar) to stop. Press Start again to resume from the same time.
- Press Reset (or R) to clear the time and all laps.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Space | Start / pause |
| L | Record a lap |
| R | Reset (when paused) |
| F | Full screen on / off |
Lap time vs. split time
Each row in the lap list shows two numbers. The first, with a +, is the lap time: how long that lap took on its own. The second is the split time: the total time from the start up to that lap. When you have three or more laps, the fastest lap is shown in green and the slowest in red.
What people use an online stopwatch for
- Running and swimming. Time intervals and compare laps on the track or in the pool.
- Workouts. Track rest between sets or how long you hold a plank.
- Classrooms and science. Time experiments, reading speed or quiz answers.
- Cooking. Time how long something has been in the pan.
- Speeches and presentations. Rehearse and stay inside your time slot.
- Games and puzzles. Race a Rubik's cube or time each turn.
Take it with you: the Multi Stopwatch & Timer Plus app
A browser tab can be paused when your phone locks. The free Android app keeps counting in the background and rings even with the screen off.
- Run several stopwatches and timers at the same time
- Alarms that ring with the screen off or the phone locked
- Interval workout timer with sets, work and rest
- Lap times you can keep and share
- Full-screen display you can read from across the room
More free tools
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this online stopwatch?
It shows time to 1/100 of a second and is calculated from your device clock rather than by counting ticks, so it does not drift if the tab is in the background or the page is slow. Human reaction time (about 0.2 seconds) is usually the bigger source of error.
Does the stopwatch keep running if I close the tab?
Yes. The start time is saved in your browser, so if you reload or reopen the page in the same browser the stopwatch shows the correct elapsed time and keeps going.
How do I record lap times?
While the stopwatch is running, press the Lap button or the L key. The lap list shows the newest lap at the top with its lap time and total split time.
What is the difference between lap time and split time?
Lap time is how long one lap took. Split time is the total elapsed time from the start to the end of that lap.
Can I use the stopwatch in full screen?
Yes. Press the full-screen button in the top bar or the F key. The digits scale up so you can read them from a distance.
Is there a stopwatch app for Android?
Yes. Multi Stopwatch & Timer Plus lets you run several stopwatches at once, keeps them running with the screen off and lets you save lap times. It is free on Google Play.
