Online Stopwatch
Sometimes you just need a simple, reliable stopwatch — no extra features, no clutter, just start, stop, and reset. Our free online stopwatch runs right in your browser with millisecond precision and a clean, easy-to-read display. Time your workouts, track how long tasks take, measure your speedrunning splits, or just see how fast you can solve that puzzle. It works offline after loading, starts instantly, and keeps running even if you switch tabs or minimize the browser. No downloads, no sign-ups, no nonsense.
What Is
A stopwatch is a time-tracking tool that measures elapsed time from the moment you start it until you stop it. Unlike a countdown timer that works backward from a set duration, a stopwatch counts upward from zero, letting you measure exactly how long something takes. Our online stopwatch displays time in hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds, giving you precision down to a thousandth of a second. The tool runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript's timing functions, which means it starts instantly, works without an internet connection after the page loads, and doesn't require any software installation. People use stopwatches for an enormous range of activities: timing exercise intervals, tracking how long work tasks take, measuring cooking times, recording speedrunning splits, timing presentations, tracking study sessions, and even settling debates about who can do something the fastest. The simplicity is the point — a stopwatch does one thing and does it well, without distractions or unnecessary features getting in the way.
How to Use
- Click the start button to begin timing — the display immediately begins counting up from zero in hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds.
- Use the lap or split button to record intermediate times without stopping the overall timer, perfect for tracking intervals or segment times.
- Pause the stopwatch at any time by pressing the stop button, then resume exactly where you left off without losing any elapsed time.
- Reset the stopwatch back to zero when you're ready to start a fresh timing session, clearing all previous times and laps.
- Keep the stopwatch running in the background — it continues timing even if you switch to another tab or minimize your browser window.
Examples
Input: Duration: 5 minutes with 3 laps
Process: Start timer then record lap times then stop then display splits
Result: Total: 5:00.32, Laps: 1:40.15, 1:39.88, 1:40.29
Input: Compare: 2 stopwatches side by side
Process: Run two timers independently then highlight difference
Result: Timer A: 3:21.45, Timer B: 3:19.87 (diff: 1.58s)
Related Searches
People also search for: online stopwatch, digital stopwatch, lap timer, free stopwatch, web timer, split time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How precise is this stopwatch?
Our stopwatch displays time down to the millisecond (one-thousandth of a second), which is precise enough for virtually any timing need. The actual accuracy depends on your browser and device, but JavaScript timing functions are reliable to within a few milliseconds. For scientific-grade precision you'd need specialized equipment, but for workouts, cooking, gaming, and everyday timing, millisecond precision is more than sufficient.
Can I record lap times?
Yes — press the lap button while the stopwatch is running to record the current elapsed time without stopping the timer. Each lap is saved with its split time and total elapsed time, making it easy to compare intervals. This is especially useful for tracking running laps, timing workout rounds, or measuring segments of a longer activity.
Does the stopwatch keep running if I close the tab?
The stopwatch continues running as long as the browser tab stays open, even if you switch to another tab or minimize the browser. However, if you close the tab entirely, the timer resets. For long-duration timing, keep the tab open in the background. Most modern browsers keep background tabs active enough for accurate timing.
What's the maximum time the stopwatch can count?
The stopwatch can count indefinitely — there's no upper limit. It will continue counting hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds as long as the tab stays open. Whether you're timing a 10-second sprint or a 10-hour road trip, the stopwatch handles it without any issues.
Can I use this stopwatch offline?
Yes — once the page has loaded, the stopwatch works completely offline. All timing is handled by JavaScript running in your browser, with no server communication needed. This makes it perfect for situations where you don't have internet access but still need reliable timing, like timing workouts at the gym or measuring activities outdoors.