Online Stopwatch

What this stop watch does

Measure elapsed time precisely in real time

This stop watch measures elapsed time from the moment you start it until you stop or pause it. It tracks time continuously and shows the exact duration that has passed.

It is designed for situations where you need to know how long something takes, not what the current clock time is.

Start, pause, resume, and reset with one click

The controls are simple and immediate.

• Start begins timing instantly
• Pause freezes the current elapsed time
• Resume continues from where you paused
• Reset clears the time and starts fresh

There is no setup and no configuration required.

Works instantly in your browser with no download

The stop watch runs directly in your browser. You do not need to install an app or create an account. It works on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

How to use the stop watch

Using the stop watch on mobile and desktop

The stop watch works the same way across devices. No special permissions are required.

• On mobile, tap the buttons
• On desktop, click with your mouse or trackpad (or use keyboard shortcuts Space, L, R)

How the stop watch works

Real time tracking using your device clock

The stop watch uses your device’s internal clock to track elapsed time. Once started, it continuously calculates the difference between the start time and the current moment. This approach allows smooth, real time updates without manual refreshing.

Millisecond level precision explained simply

Time is measured down to fractions of a second. The display rounds this information into a clear and readable format so you can see seconds and minutes accurately. Precision depends on your browser and device performance, which is standard for online stop watches.

What happens when the tab is inactive or refreshed

If you refresh the page or close the tab, the stop watch resets. If the tab becomes inactive, timing continues, but very old devices may show slight delays when returning to the page.

Practical examples of using a stop watch

• Timing workouts, laps, and intervals: Running/cycling intervals, rest periods between sets, and total workout duration. Pause and resume help track breaks accurately.
• Tracking study sessions or focused work time: Start the stop watch at the beginning of a study session to see how long you stay focused. Pause during interruptions to get a true measure of active time.
• Measuring cooking, baking, or preparation time: Useful when you need to measure how long a step takes rather than count down to a fixed end time.
• Timing games, presentations, or classroom activities: Teachers and presenters use it to keep activities within a set duration without relying on alarms.

Accuracy and time handling

Why a stop watch is independent of time zones: A stop watch measures elapsed time, not local date or clock time. Because of this, time zones do not affect its operation. The measured duration remains the same regardless of your location.

Difference between clock time and elapsed time: Clock time answers "what time is it right now." Elapsed time answers "how long has passed." This stop watch focuses only on elapsed time.

Browser and device factors: Accuracy can be influenced slightly by browser performance, device power saving modes, or extremely long inactive periods. For everyday use, these differences are negligible.

Common use cases

• Students and teachers: Exams, timed exercises, and study tracking.
• Athletes and fitness training: Workouts, drills, and interval timing.
• Professionals: Timing tasks, calls, or meetings.
• Everyday needs: From hobbies to routines, a simple way to measure time spent.