Stopwatch - Simple Lap Timer
Stopwatch is exactly what the name says: a large time display, a Start/Stop button, a Lap button and a Reset button, on a dark screen that is easy to read from a distance. The time is shown as minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second, for example 03:41.27, and it keeps counting until you stop it.
It suits everyday jobs where you just want to know how long something took: a run around the block, a set of exercises, a practice presentation, a cooking step, a board game turn or a focused study block. The lap list lets you split one session into parts, such as each lap of a track or each question on a practice test, without stopping the clock.
There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to configure. Open the page, tap Start, and you are timing.
The app runs entirely in your browser. What you enter is saved only on this device.
How to use Stopwatch
- Start the clock. Tap the green Start button. The display begins counting in minutes, seconds and hundredths, and the button turns red and changes to Stop.
- Record a lap. While the stopwatch is running, tap Lap. The current elapsed time is added to the Lap Times list. The newest lap appears at the top, numbered so you can see the order.
- Pause and resume. Tap Stop to pause. The time stays on screen. Tap Start again to carry on from where it stopped, which is handy if you get interrupted.
- Reset. Tap Reset to set the display back to 00:00.00 and clear the lap list, ready for the next session.
- Read your laps. Each entry in the list is the total time on the clock at the moment you tapped Lap. Subtract one entry from the next to get the length of a single lap.
Features
- Start, stop and resume with a single button
- Display in minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second
- Lap button that records the elapsed time while running
- Numbered lap list with the newest lap on top
- Reset clears the time and all laps at once
- Dark theme with large, high-contrast digits
- Works in a desktop or phone browser, no account
Getting accurate times with a manual stopwatch
Your reaction time is the biggest error
A digital stopwatch counts very precisely, but a person starts and stops it. Human reaction to a visual or audio cue typically takes a few tenths of a second, so hand timing always carries some error. Coaches and race officials know this, which is why hand-timed results in athletics are traditionally rounded up to the next tenth rather than reported to the hundredth.
Anticipate instead of reacting
You get more consistent results if you anticipate an event rather than react to it. When timing a runner to a finish line, watch them approach and press as their torso crosses the line, not when you notice they have crossed. At the start, press on the signal itself (the word "go" or the first movement) instead of waiting to see the runner move.
Cumulative laps versus lap splits
Stopwatches show laps in two ways. A cumulative time is the total on the clock when you pressed Lap; a split is the length of that one lap. This stopwatch lists cumulative times. To get a split, subtract the previous entry. For example, if lap 1 reads 01:52.40 and lap 2 reads 03:47.10, the second lap took 1 minute 54.70 seconds. Cumulative times are useful for pacing because you can compare them against a target total at each checkpoint.
Use the same method every time
If you are tracking progress, such as a weekly 1 km run or how long a routine task takes, consistency matters more than perfection. Time from the same start and finish points, use the same device, and if possible have the same person press the button. Small systematic errors then cancel out when you compare one week with the next.
Ideas for everyday timing
Time a rehearsal of a talk to see if it fits the slot, measure how long the morning routine really takes, time intervals during a workout, check how long a recipe step takes on your stove, or keep turns fair in a game. For studying, a timed block followed by a short break is a simple way to keep focus without watching the clock constantly.
Frequently asked questions
Are my lap times saved?
No. Laps exist only while the page is open. Reset clears them, and closing or reloading the page loses the current time and laps. Write down anything you want to keep.
Is anything stored in my browser or sent anywhere?
The timer itself doesn't store or upload anything. There is no account. The page may keep small settings such as your language in this browser only.
Can I record a lap while the stopwatch is paused?
No. The Lap button only adds an entry while the clock is running, so you don't get duplicate entries while paused.
How long can it run?
It keeps counting as long as the page stays open. Minutes keep increasing past 59 rather than switching to hours, so 75 minutes reads as 75:00.00.
Will it keep timing if I switch tabs?
The elapsed time is measured from the moment you pressed Start, so it stays correct when you come back. Some browsers slow down background tabs, so the display may update less smoothly while hidden, and closing the tab stops it completely.
How is the web version different from the phone app?
The stopwatch, laps and reset work the same way. The iPhone and Android apps are handy if you want the timer on your phone without keeping a browser tab open.
Limitations of the web version
- Lap times are not saved after you close or reload the page
- Laps are shown as cumulative times, not individual splits
- No countdown timer or alarm
- Times are manual and include your reaction time
Phone app
Stopwatch is also available as an app for phones and tablets: