How to use the Online Stopwatch
- Press Start or the space bar to begin timing.
- Press Lap (or L) to record a lap without stopping the clock.
- Press Stop to pause, then Resume to continue or Reset (R) to clear.
- Use Copy laps to paste your times into a spreadsheet or message.
Lap times made easy
Each lap shows its own time and the running total. Once you have three or more laps, the fastest is highlighted in green and the slowest in red, which makes it easy to compare runs, swim lengths, interval sets or rounds of a game. Copy laps puts them on your clipboard as a table you can paste straight into Excel or Google Sheets.
Accurate in any tab
The stopwatch measures elapsed time from the clock rather than counting ticks, so it stays accurate even if you switch tabs or your computer is busy. The running time also shows in the browser tab title.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Space: start / stop
- L: lap
- R: reset (when stopped)
Need to count down instead? Use the online timer.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this stopwatch?
It shows hundredths of a second and uses your device's high-precision clock. Your own reaction when pressing start and stop (typically 0.2–0.3 seconds) affects results far more than the stopwatch itself.
Does it keep running in the background?
Yes. Elapsed time is calculated from the clock, so it's correct when you come back, even after switching tabs.
What do the green and red laps mean?
With three or more laps, green marks your fastest lap and red your slowest.
Can I save my lap times?
Use Copy laps to copy them, then paste into a note or spreadsheet. Times aren't stored, so copy them before closing the page.
Is there a countdown timer too?
Yes. The Online Timer tab counts down from any time and plays an alarm when it finishes.