Live elapsed time
Stopwatch
A precise on-screen stopwatch with laps and a fullscreen display for events, speakers and classrooms.
Ready.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Space — Start, pause or resume
- L — Record a lap while running
- R — Arm reset (press again, or click Confirm, to reset)
- F — Enter or exit fullscreen
Laps
No laps recorded yet. Laps become available once the stopwatch is running.
How this calculator works
Start begins counting from zero. Pause freezes the display without losing the time already recorded, and Resume continues from exactly where you paused.
Lap records a split — the time since the previous lap, or since the start for the first lap — alongside the running total. Laps are listed newest first so the most recent one is always easiest to find.
The stopwatch reads your device's clock rather than counting fixed-length ticks, so switching tabs, a slow device, or a throttled background window never loses or double-counts time — the display simply catches up to the correct elapsed time once it renders again.
Fullscreen mode enlarges the display for a room: speakers, classrooms, workshops and sports timing. It uses your browser's fullscreen feature where available; if that isn't supported, the large-display view still works without going edge-to-edge.
This page has to stay open to keep timing. Nothing is saved — closing or reloading the tab resets it to zero, and it is not a dependable background alarm.
The tool is arithmetic only. Where legal, payroll, holiday, timezone or jurisdiction-specific rules matter, the page states what is and is not included.
Frequently asked questions
Does switching tabs or minimizing the browser lose time?
No. The stopwatch is based on your device's clock, not a repeating timer, so the elapsed time stays correct even after the tab was inactive or backgrounded — the display just catches up once it's visible again.
What if my device fully goes to sleep, like closing a laptop lid?
That's different from switching tabs and isn't guaranteed. A full system sleep can pause the browser entirely, and how much of that time (if any) is reflected when it wakes depends on your operating system and browser, not this page. If accurate timing across a real sleep matters, keep the device awake — fullscreen mode's wake lock helps where it's supported, but check the on-page note, since it isn't available everywhere.
Will my screen stay awake while it's running?
Many modern desktop and Android browsers keep the screen on once you start the stopwatch. Support varies by browser — notably older iOS Safari versions — so treat it as a convenience, not a guarantee, and check the on-page note if it matters for your use.
Can I use this as a countdown timer?
Not directly — this tool only counts up. Use the Countdown Timer for a set duration that counts down to zero with a fullscreen speaker/event display and an end-of-time alert.
Is the time saved if I close the page?
No. Nothing is stored anywhere — closing or reloading the page resets it to zero.