Stopwatch

Precise timing with laps

Driven by a high-resolution timer, the stopwatch stays accurate even if the tab is busy. Record as many laps as you need, each showing its split and total time.

There's nothing to install — it works instantly on phones, tablets and computers.

Useful for

• Workouts and interval training
• Cooking and lab timing
• Timing presentations and tasks

Key features at a glance

• Accurate to a hundredth of a second
• Start, pause, and reset with one click
• Record unlimited laps with split and total times
• Driven by a high-resolution timer for accuracy
• Works on phones, tablets, and computers
• No install — runs instantly in your browser

How accurate timing works in a browser

A trustworthy stopwatch cannot simply count ticks, because browser timers can be throttled when a tab is in the background or the device is busy. Instead, this stopwatch records the actual start moment and calculates elapsed time from the real clock, so the displayed time stays accurate even if the screen updates are momentarily delayed. The result is timing you can rely on to a hundredth of a second.

This high-resolution approach matters for any timing where small differences count. Rather than accumulating tiny errors over a long session — which a naive tick-counter would do — it always measures against the true elapsed time. So whether you run it for ten seconds or two hours, the final reading reflects real time, not the browser's best effort at updating the display.

What lap timing is for

Laps let you mark moments without stopping the clock, capturing both the split (the time since the previous lap) and the cumulative total at each mark. This is invaluable for activities made of repeated segments: running intervals, where you want each lap's pace; multi-step processes, where you time each stage; or comparing several attempts at the same task back to back.

Because the stopwatch keeps running through each lap, you get a complete record of how a session unfolded rather than a single final number. Reviewing the splits afterward shows where you were fast or slow, which stage of a process took longest, or how consistent your intervals were. It turns a simple timer into a tool for analysis, not just measurement.

Why a browser stopwatch beats a physical one

A stopwatch in your browser is always available without hunting for a dedicated device, and it works identically on a phone, tablet, or computer. There is nothing to buy, charge, or carry, and the large on-screen display is easy to read across a room — handy when timing a workout or a classroom activity. It launches instantly with no app to install.

It also records laps cleanly on screen, where a physical stopwatch's tiny readout and button-press laps are easy to fumble. You can see the full list of splits at once, scroll back through them, and the precision is at least as good as a consumer stopwatch. For most everyday timing, the convenience and clarity of a browser-based tool make it the more practical choice.

Tips for using the stopwatch

• Use laps to capture each interval in a workout
• Review the splits afterward to spot your fastest and slowest segments
• Keep the tab visible for the smoothest live display
• It stays accurate even if the display updates briefly lag
• Works the same on mobile, so time anything anywhere

Why choose our stopwatch?

Our stopwatch is completely free with no signup, no limits, and no subscription. It runs entirely in your browser with nothing to install, stays accurate to a hundredth of a second, and works offline once loaded.

It is one of more than 200 free tools on ToopTools, and you can pin it to your My Workspace, a personalized workspace where you keep the tools you use most in a single dashboard. Beside the timer and Pomodoro tools, it covers every timing need in one place.

Common use cases

People use the stopwatch for workouts and interval training, where lap timing captures each round, and for cooking and lab work that needs precise timing. It is the quickest way to time anything without reaching for a separate device.

Presenters and speakers time their talks to stay on schedule, students time study sprints and tasks, and anyone running an activity uses it to keep things moving. Because it records laps, it suits both simple single timings and multi-segment sessions.

Is the stopwatch free?

Yes. It is completely free with no account, no sign-up, and no usage limits. Use it as much as you like at no cost.

How accurate is the stopwatch?

It is accurate to a hundredth of a second and measures against the real clock rather than counting display updates, so it stays precise even over long sessions or when the tab is busy.

What does the lap button do?

Recording a lap marks the moment without stopping the clock, capturing both the split time since the last lap and the cumulative total. You can record as many laps as you need.

Does it keep timing if I switch tabs?

Yes. Because it calculates elapsed time from the real start moment, the reading stays correct even if the tab is in the background, though the live display updates most smoothly when the tab is visible.

Do I need to install anything?

No. The stopwatch runs entirely in your browser with nothing to install, and it works the same on phones, tablets, and computers.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Once the page has loaded, the stopwatch runs entirely on your device and needs no internet connection.

What is the difference between a stopwatch and a timer?

A stopwatch counts time upward from zero to measure how long something takes, while a countdown timer counts down from a set duration and alerts you when it reaches zero. Use the stopwatch to measure elapsed time and the timer to be reminded after a set period.

How do I record lap times on the stopwatch?

Start the stopwatch and press the lap button each time you want to mark a split — the tool records every lap while the overall time keeps running. You get a list of individual laps alongside the total, ideal for timing repeated intervals.

Can I use the stopwatch for timing workouts?

Yes. With start, stop, and lap controls, it is well suited to timing workouts, intervals, runs, study sessions, cooking, and experiments. Because it runs in your browser with nothing to install, you can start timing instantly on desktop or mobile.