Online Stopwatch
A stopwatch counts up instead of down - Start it and it measures elapsed time to the hundredth of a second. Record laps and splits, read it full-screen, and it stays recalculated from saved timestamps after delayed browser updates. No sign-up.
Space start/stop · L lap · R reset · F full screen.
About the Online Stopwatch
A stopwatch counts up from zero to measure how long something takes, with lap and split buttons to record checkpoints along the way.
A stopwatch counts up from zero. Press start and it tracks every second - Right down to the hundredth - That ticks by. It answers one simple question: how long did that take?
Time a run, a work sprint, a science experiment, or how fast you can tidy the kitchen. When you want a signal at the end instead, reach for the countdown timer.
Laps and splits: what's the difference?
The lap button is where a stopwatch gets clever. Tap it while the clock runs and it saves a marker without stopping. But it records two numbers, and people mix them up:
- Lap time - How long that one segment took, measured from your last tap.
- Split time - The total elapsed time from the very start, all added up.
Say you run four laps of a track:
| Lap | Lap time | Split (total) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:02 | 1:02 |
| 2 | 1:05 | 2:07 |
| 3 | 1:04 | 3:11 |
| 4 | 0:58 | 4:09 |
The lap column shows your pace each time around. The split column shows the clock climbing toward the finish. Still fuzzy on the terms? The timer glossary spells them out.
Tip: Tap lap at steady checkpoints - Each track lap, each set, each page - So your splits line up and are easy to compare.
Tip: Watch the trend in your lap times. A slowly rising lap usually means you're fading, even when a single number looks fine.
Tip: Time a task once with the stopwatch before setting a countdown for it. The real number beats a guess every time.
Count up or count down?
A stopwatch and a countdown are opposites, and picking the right one saves a lot of confusion.
| Stopwatch | Countdown timer | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Counts up from 0 | Counts down to 0 |
| Best for | Measuring how long | Limiting how long |
| Ends when | You press stop | It hits zero and alarms |
| Example | Timing a mile | A focus block |
Grab the stopwatch when the length is open-ended - You don't know how long it'll take, you just want to measure it. Choose a countdown, like a Pomodoro focus block or an interval workout, when the length is fixed and you want an alert.
How to Use the Online Stopwatch
- Press StartThe stopwatch begins counting up from zero, showing minutes, seconds and hundredths.
- Record lapsTap Lap (or press L) to store a split without stopping the clock.
- Stop and resumeStop to pause; resume to continue from where you left off.
- ResetClear the time and laps to start fresh.
Related on timer.now: countdown timer, interval timer and why countdown timers beat stopwatches.
Browse all online timer tools by activity and timer type.
Best Uses for the Online Stopwatch
Time sprints, laps and drills with split times.
Measure how long something actually takes.
See how long a task really eats up.
Time attempts and beat your best.
Online Stopwatch Compared With Similar Timers
| Tool | Choose it when |
|---|---|
| Online Timer | you know how long the task should last |
| Interval Timer | you need repeating work-and-rest phases |
Related Online Timers
Online Stopwatch - FAQ
What's the difference from a timer?
Does it record laps?
What happens in a background tab?
How precise is the stopwatch?
Is a stopwatch the same as a lap timer?
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