Online-Stopwatch

Our timers and apps need a minimum system spec to run. Simple timers should run fast on any device – but timers which feature a lot of graphics (such as the Duck Race Timer with 100 Ducks), need a certain amount of processing power. A good check is...

If your Desktop computer supports Windows 10 – Timers should work fine.
Any 64bit mobile device, Android 7+, or Apple device made 2015+ should work fine.

If you have the minimum spec, and our timers are running slow, consider closing any other running applications. You can also try closing your browser, and reopening the page.
The only timers which could cause a problem are processing intense timers – such as any race timer that features 100 characters. You could try reducing the number of characters in a race.
If a timer isn't loading for you at all – please try our "Run Compatibility Test" tab above, and see if you meet the browser requirements.

If you feel like you need more help – please email us.

Our Race Timers are great in classrooms, meetings, fundraising - and loads more! If you need to pick a random name or number, they are perfect!



Basic use is simple...

1. Set a Time
2. Choose how many characters will be in the race. Maximum 6 for free users, or 100 for premimum members.
3. Click Set, then Start the Race!

A completely random character will win the race each time! Great! :-)

But, what about some of our more advanced features - let's take a look...

1. Choose how the running timer is displayed - show the time in seconds, minutes, or have the milliseconds showing. (E.g. You can reduce stress and anxiety by changing to show only "minutes" instead of the constant ticking "seconds".)
2. Change the Alarm/Bell sound at the end of the race - we have lots to choose from, so why not try a cop-car or a relaxing tune.
3. Click SET when you have made all your choices to start the race.
4. Clear allows you to re-enter the countdown timer length.
5. These Tabs let you either show Numbers or Names during the race.
6. Drag the Green Dot to change the amount of Characters in the race!
7. Decide if you want to show numbers on each character for easier identification.
8. Premium Member features to save/edit/delete your settings, so you can use them over and over.

During a race, you will see the following...

1. Return to the settings menu.
2. Mute the background music.
3. Mute the Alarm/Bell at the end of the race.

Premium Members have the option to show a logo or graphic at the start, and during a race (4).

1. Go To "Your Page"
2. Click the "My Account!" Tab.
3. Select "Your Logo"
4. Use the Logo Upload Tool to add your logo.

When a Race Ends...


Click the Trophy Icon (1) to see the Race Results.
For Races that use Names instead of Numbers - you have the option to eliminate the winner from additional races. This will eventually result in only 2 characters in a race.

1. Remove Winner from Next Race
2. Start The Next Race (With or Without Winner)

Our race timers required a LOT of processing power because of the graphics and animations. Some older devices aren't able to handle complicated races that feature a lot of graphics. You can improve performance by reducing the number of characters in a race - or using a different timer that is optimized for lower performing devices. The timer itself will still work correctly - but the race will not look great. Please also read System Requirements above for more information.

Our timers have a great little feature that can save you time called URL Parameters!
This means, you can add certain keywords to the URL to customise the timer that is being loaded.

The easiest way to use this feature is...

1. Go to any timer.
2. Look for the blue bar called "SETTINGS" (Premium Members look for "PREMIUM SETTINGS")
3. Change some of the options, such as "Start Time" or "Auto Start"
4. Click Update Timer!

You will then see the page refresh, and the new URL parameters added to the url, for example:

https://www.online-stopwatch.com/eggtimer-countdown/
Will Change to:
https://www.online-stopwatch.com/eggtimer-countdown/?countdown=00:03:00

By bookmarking a URL with Parameters, you can quickly load pre-set settings, making loading timers that are used frequently much faster. Premium Members can also save these options in their account list.

We get asked this quite a lot – how random are the results in the race timers? Why does "Character X" always win the race? Why does "Name A" always win in the Random Name Pickers?

The answer to all questions about randomness is: Our Apps are completely random!

There is no predefined or pre-set results. No character is given any advantages in the races, and no names are drawn with any more significance then any others.
In modern browsers, we use the following JavaScript function to make random numbers in our apps:

window.crypto.getRandomValues();

This produces a cryptographically strong random value. We feel it is currently the best way to make random numbers for our apps.

For older browsers (Such as Internet Explorer 10 - Full list: Here), we revert to the following:

Math.floor(Math.random() * X);

While this isn't cryptographically strong, it produces a random number that is still suitable for name pickers.

Always use the latest version of Chrome, Edge, or Firefox for cryptographically strong random values

We sometimes move content, as we make changes to improve the site. We try to automatically redirect you to where timers have moved to, but if a feature you like has moved, and you are unable to find it – please let us know, and we will try to help.

Sometimes we make mistakes! Found a Timer on the wrong page? Found a spelling mistake? Or any other problem, please just let us know - and we will get it fixed as quickly as possible :-(

We try our best to keep the site running as fast as possible – but sometimes we have problems. If our site is going to be offline, or we are experiencing issues – we will post this information to our twitter and Facebook pages.
If we have not reported there is an issue with the site, it is worth checking to see if your internet is running fast - you can do this by Googling: "Check internet speed". Google will then give you are report, such as "Your Internet speed is fast". If your internet speed is slow, you need to ask your ISP for support.

If your internet is fast, you could look into browser add-ons which could be slowing down you down.
If all other websites seem to be running fast – but Online-Stopwatch.com is running slow for you – please get in touch. Remember! There is a difference between our website running slow, and our Timers/Apps running slow. The website only needs fast internet, but some of our timers and apps need your computer to have a certain specification. Please see our Timer / App Problems section.

We use Google AdSense (and a few other companies) to show ads to people who are using our site!

This helps us...

1. Keep our site free to use - by paying for our server, and other costs.
2. Keeps us paid so we can keep making new content.

Please try not to use Ad blocking when using our site. For more information about our ads, please read our Privacy Policy.
We don't directly control what ad is shown - the advertising company just puts ads on our site, based on our choices - such as, don't show ads that would be unsuitable for children, or gambling ads, etc.
If you have a problem with any of our ads - or you see something you don't feel should be shown - please get in touch.

We understand a lot of people are experiencing issues with our translated parts of the site - we are working on this and hope to get new translation by native speakers as soon as possible.

When adding new features to the site – sometimes we make mistakes and timers get moved :-(
If you find a problem, please let us know and we will get it fixed as soon as possible.

We offer two types of premium account:

1. An Individual account – which lets a single person use the premium features.
2. A Group Account – which allows a group manager to give premium features to 30 people. This is typically used by schools, universities or other institutes.

Both our Individual accounts, and group accounts have the same features - the only difference is the number of users who can use the premium features. A Group account is also much more cost-effective for multiple users.

We use PayPal to take payments for your premium account. They handle the transaction, and we do not store, or even see your payment details!

You can either use a PayPal account, or use a debit or credit card.

If you would like to join premium, and need to pay another way – let us know, and we will look into it.

Renewing Premium:

Your Premium Account lasts for a year - then you will need to renew your account. We do not use an automatic subscription service (as we don't like them!) So it is up to you if you want to renew or not! Once your renewal date has passed, you will not be able to use any of your premium features until you renew :-(

The features of a premium account can be seen here: Premium Features Please see the videos on the page for detailed information about each of the features until you renew.

This is our Premium Training Video! It will help show you how to use your Premium Account.

Organise and edit your favourite online-stopwatch.com timers with My Page. See the video for help on using this feature...

Save, Edit, and Organise Lists which can be used with our Random Name Pickers.

Simple Guide:

1. Go to any Random Name Picker you want.
2. Click the Gear or Cog icon in one of the corners.
3. You will see the settings screen, with the default or example list of names.
4. Remove the default list example names, and put in the names you want.
5. Give your List a Name.
6. Click SAVE AS NEW - to create a new list, or SAVE AS... To update or change an existing list

It's important to understand how lists work in your Premium Account.
When a list is created - it can be loaded into any app that supports lists, not just the app you used to create it.

Example:

1. If you create a list in the 'Name Picker Wheel' and save it.
2. This list can then be loaded into any other apps that support lists - such as any Random Name Picker app, Group Picker, or Race Timer.

Deleting or Modifying your list in any app will change the list site-wide.

Your saved lists can be loaded into any Random Name Picker. Follow this guide for more help.

Simple Guide:

1. Go to any Random Name Picker you want.
2. You will see a blue bar under the name picker, called "Premium Settings", click the bar.
3. Look for "Saved Lists" - and select a list from the drop down menu.
4. Wait a few seconds, and your list will be loaded into the name picker.

If you no longer need a list, you can delete it from your account.

Simple Guide:

1. Go to any Random Name Picker you want.
2. Load the list you want to delete into the name picker app - follow the "Loading Lists" guide above.
3. Select the Gear / Cog Icon.
4. You will see a button called "DELETE SAVED LIST", select this option.
5. You will be asked if you are sure - click YES or NO

Once a list has been deleted, it is permantly removed from your account and it can not be recoverd.

You can Save custom countdown timer settings for most of the timers on the site. This can make it faster to load the same timer settings again and again. Try this guide for help.

Simple Guide:

1. Go to any timer you want.
2. You will see a blue bar under the timer, called "Premium Settings", click the bar.
3. There are a list of options for you to choose. Such as which sound will ring when the timer ends, or what the default start time will be when the timer loads.
4. Give your timer a unique name, by entering "Add a Title"
5. Click the "Save Settings!" button.
6. Your saved timer can now be loaded from the "SAVED TIMERS" Drop down list.

Once you load a timer, you will see the option to permanently delete the custom timer, by clicking the red "DELETE TIMER" button.

Premium offers the features listed on the Premium Features List!

If you want a feature that is not listed - please contact us to see if it is possible, or if Premium includes that feature.

We would love to add these features, and once we get a request – we add the ideas to our list of "Feature Requests" – and start working on adding them to the site. But we have a BIG list of work - so be aware that the feature being requested could take a while!

Please email us with any ideas or suggestions you have! This could be for a new timer, a new app, or a website idea. Get in touch, and let's see what we can do! :-)

We have a full Terms Page with how you can use our content. You'll probably be happy :-)

No Sorry! We love working on our site - making new timers and features for everyone to use! Plus, we need it for our Jobs :-)

We mainly use Google AdSense for advertising - you can get in touch, but your proposal would have to be very special to make us change from using AdSense. We do not do link exchanges, or paid-for-content, or need article writing. Sorry!