Guide

How to use an online stopwatch

An online stopwatch is best for measuring elapsed time: how long a task, race, presentation, test, or activity takes from start to finish. It is different from a countdown timer, which starts from a fixed amount of time and counts down to zero.

Basic stopwatch workflow

1. Press Start when the activity begins.
2. Use Pause if the activity is interrupted and you want to continue later.
3. Use Lap to save a split time without stopping the main stopwatch.
4. Use Reset only when you want to clear the current measurement.

When to use laps

Laps are useful when one activity has multiple parts. For example, a teacher can save each student's reading time, a runner can save each circuit, and a presenter can save the end of each section.

Accuracy tips

• Keep the browser tab open while timing important activities.
• Use fullscreen mode when timing for a group.
• Check battery-saving settings if your device aggressively pauses background tabs.
• For official competitions, use dedicated timing equipment.

Open the Stopwatch First tools to start timing.