A stopwatch counts up from zero so you can measure how long something takes. Use it for training runs, speeches, cooking steps, experiments or finding out how long a task really takes.
Using the stopwatch
- Press Start (or the space bar).
- Press Lap to record a split without stopping.
- Press Pause to stop, Resume to continue and Reset to clear the time and laps.
- Use Full screen to show the time to a group.
The display shows minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second. Once it passes an hour it switches to hours, minutes and seconds.
What people use a stopwatch for
- Running, swimming and cycling laps. Record each lap and compare the splits to see whether you are slowing down.
- Practising a speech. Time a full run-through, then use the speech timer to rehearse to a limit.
- Timing work. Measure how long a regular task takes, then set a realistic countdown on the main timer.
- Science and DIY. Reaction times, pendulum swings, how long glue takes to set.
- Games and challenges. Speed puzzles, relay races, who can hold a pose longest.
How accurate is it?
The stopwatch reads your device's clock each time it redraws, so it does not drift the way a count of ticks would. The display updates many times a second, but pressing a button on a screen involves delays of a few hundredths of a second or more from your finger and the device. It is fine for training and everyday timing, and it should not be used for official timing of races or any situation where a legal or safety result depends on it.
If you need to count down instead, try the 5 minute timer or the interval timer.
How laps and splits are shown
Each row in the lap table has three columns: the lap number, the time for that lap alone, and the total elapsed time when you pressed Lap. An example run:
| Lap | Lap time | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Lap 3 | 01:52.40 | 05:41.07 |
| Lap 2 | 01:49.15 | 03:48.67 |
| Lap 1 | 01:59.52 | 01:59.52 |
The newest lap is at the top. Pressing Lap does not stop the clock, so you can record as many as you need.