Date & Time

Online Stopwatch — Free 2026

Precise stopwatch with lap recording. Start, stop, and track splits to the millisecond directly in your browser.

00:00.00

Elapsed Time (MM:SS.ms)

How It Works

Start the stopwatch
Record laps
Stop and reset

Everything You Need to Know About Stopwatches

The stopwatch is one of the simplest yet most useful timing tools ever invented. From Olympic sprinters to home cooks, from students timing exam practice to coaches tracking interval training, stopwatches are everywhere. Our free online stopwatch brings this essential tool to your browser with no downloads, no sign-ups, and millisecond-level precision.

A Brief History of the Stopwatch

The first stopwatch was invented in 1695 by Samuel Watson, though early versions were mechanical and lacked the precision we take for granted today. In 1816, Louis Moinet created a chronograph capable of measuring 1/60th of a second, primarily for astronomical observations. Modern quartz stopwatches, introduced in the 1970s, brought accuracy to within hundredths of a second. Today, digital stopwatches built into smartphones and browsers can measure time with remarkable precision. For counting down from a specific duration, try our countdown timer instead.

Why Lap Timing Matters

Lap timing is essential for anyone tracking performance over repeated intervals. Runners use lap splits to monitor their pace across each mile or kilometer of a race. Swimmers track splits per length to identify where they are gaining or losing speed. Even in studying, lap timing helps you measure how long each practice problem takes, revealing which topics need more work. Our stopwatch records both the individual split time and the cumulative total, so you can analyze your performance from both perspectives.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Speed

For situations where clicking a button is not fast enough, this stopwatch supports keyboard shortcuts. Press Space to start or stop, L to record a lap, and R to reset. This is especially useful when you need to record a split at the exact moment something happens — like when a runner crosses a line — and reaching for a mouse would introduce delay. If you need to calculate the difference between two specific dates instead, check out our date difference calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this online stopwatch?

This stopwatch uses performance.now() and requestAnimationFrame for display updates, providing millisecond-level precision. While browser-based timers are not as precise as dedicated hardware stopwatches, the accuracy is well within the needs of everyday timing tasks like workouts, cooking, and studying.

How do I record lap times?

While the stopwatch is running, click the Lap button to record a split. Each lap entry shows the lap number, the split time (duration of that individual lap), and the total elapsed time. Laps appear in a table below the main display. You can record as many laps as you need.

Does the stopwatch keep running if I switch tabs?

Yes. The stopwatch tracks elapsed time based on the system clock, not on animation frames. If you switch to another tab and come back, the displayed time will be correct. The display updates may slow down in background tabs due to browser throttling, but the actual timing remains accurate.

Can I use keyboard shortcuts with this stopwatch?

Yes. Press the Space bar to start or stop the stopwatch, and press L to record a lap while running. Press R to reset. These shortcuts make it easy to use the stopwatch without needing to click buttons precisely.