Stopwatch
A simple, accurate online stopwatch with lap timing.
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What Is the Stopwatch?
How Is the Stopwatch Calculated?
Elapsed time is tracked by recording the exact start moment and comparing it to the current time on every update. Pausing simply stops that comparison and remembers the elapsed value so far; resuming continues from there rather than starting over. A lap time is the difference between the current elapsed time and the previous lap.
Stopwatch Example
Starting the stopwatch and pressing Lap at 1 minute, then again at 1 minute 45 seconds, records a lap split of 45 seconds for the second lap.
How to Use the Stopwatch
Step 1
Click Start to begin timing.
Step 2
Click Lap at any point to record a split without stopping the clock.
Step 3
Click Pause to stop timing, or Resume to continue from where you left off.
Step 4
Click Reset to clear the stopwatch and all recorded laps.
Benefits
- Precise to the hundredth of a second.
- Supports pausing and resuming without losing your elapsed time.
- Tracks lap splits for interval-based activities.
Common Stopwatch Scenarios
Scenario 1
Timing workouts, runs, or interval training sessions.
Scenario 2
Tracking how long a task or study session actually takes.
Scenario 3
Timing presentations, speeches, or cooking steps.
Understanding Your Result
The main display shows total elapsed time since you first pressed Start (including any paused gaps are excluded). Each lap shows both its individual split time and the cumulative total time at that point.
Tips
- Use Lap during a run or workout to compare pace across intervals.
- Pause instead of Reset if you need to briefly stop without losing progress.
- Keep the tab open and active for the most accurate long-duration timing.
Common Mistakes
- Clicking Reset instead of Pause, which permanently clears the elapsed time.
- Switching away from the tab for very long durations, which can occasionally affect timer precision in some browsers.
- Forgetting to click Lap before Reset, losing the recorded splits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this stopwatch?
It updates every 50 milliseconds and displays time to the hundredth of a second, which is accurate enough for virtually all everyday timing needs.
Can I pause and resume without losing my time?
Yes, pausing keeps your elapsed time saved — resuming continues counting up from exactly where you paused.
What does the Lap button do?
It records the current elapsed time as a lap without stopping the stopwatch, letting you track splits during a continuous activity.
Does the stopwatch keep running if I close the tab?
No, timing only continues while this page stays open in your browser.
What's the difference between a stopwatch and a countdown timer?
A stopwatch counts up from zero to measure elapsed time, while a countdown timer counts down to zero from a set duration — they measure time in opposite directions for different purposes.
Can I export or save my lap times?
Check whether the tool offers an export or copy feature — otherwise, manually note down lap times you want to keep, since browser-based stopwatches typically don't save data automatically.
How many laps can I record?
Most browser-based stopwatches allow recording many laps in a single session without a strict limit, though very long lists may become harder to scroll through.
Does closing my laptop or locking my phone pause the stopwatch?
This depends on your browser and device — some browsers pause JavaScript timers when a tab is inactive or the screen is locked, which could cause inaccuracy; keep the tab active for the most reliable timing.
Can I use this stopwatch for sports timing, like a race?
It works for casual or informal timing, but for official or competition-grade sports timing, a dedicated, certified timing device is more appropriate given browser timer precision limitations.
Important Information
Keep this browser tab open and active for the most accurate timing.
Last updated: July 26, 2026