Online Stopwatch
Tap Start to begin timing. Record laps while it runs.
How to use the stopwatch
- Press Start (or the Space bar) to begin timing.
- Press Lap to record a split without stopping the clock.
- Press Pause to stop, then Resume to continue or Reset to clear.
Once you have three or more laps, the fastest and slowest are highlighted so you can compare your pace at a glance.
Common uses
- Timing running, swimming or cycling laps.
- Measuring how long a task, recipe step or presentation takes.
- Practising speeches, puzzles or speed drills.
Good to know
Lap times are kept only while this page is open. If you need repeating work and rest intervals rather than a single timer, an interval timer is easier to follow.
Frequently asked questions
Does the stopwatch keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes. The time is calculated from the moment you pressed Start, not by counting ticks, so it stays accurate when the tab is in the background or the screen dims. Closing or reloading the page does reset it.
What is the difference between lap time and total time?
Lap time is how long that single lap took. Total is the elapsed time on the stopwatch when you pressed Lap.
How accurate is an online stopwatch?
The browser's high-resolution clock is accurate to well under a millisecond. In practice your reaction time when pressing the button, usually 0.1 to 0.25 seconds, matters far more.
Are there keyboard shortcuts?
Yes. Press Space to start or pause, L to record a lap and R to reset while paused.