Chase your next personal best.
Set a lap target, keep going in Free Practice, or race a compatible saved reference in Ghost mode with spoken ahead-or-behind updates.
RC lap timing for measurable progress
You can’t improve
what you don’t measure.
Turn your phone’s camera into an automatic lap timer. Track your progress, chase a faster pace, and challenge your friends to beat your best.
Free to use. No login required. No transponder or extra timing sensor.
Automatic camera timingSpoken lap alertsGhost practiceYour tracks & records
Our commitment
Your backyard laps.
Always free.
Basic lap timing will always be free, with no account or login required. A camera-equipped phone and a stable mount are all you need to start measuring your laps at no cost.
Every feature available today is free. The owner currently covers the costs of running the app, so you can use all current features without paying. Sign-in is optional and only needed for account-based features such as cloud backup and sharing.
Future advanced features that add storage or operating costs may be offered as paid options. That will never change the free, no-login access to basic lap timing.
From phone to finish line
Less setup.
More track time.
A phone, a stable mount and your RC car. That’s where your next practice session begins.
- 01
Frame your finish line
Mount your phone beside the track. Open the camera and draw the finish line on the preview.
- 02
Calibrate & choose your run
Calibrate with the crossing area clear. Test a few passes, then choose a lap target, Free Practice or Ghost.
- 03
Drive. Listen. Improve.
The camera detects crossings. Hear your lap updates, finish your session and review your progress.
Software demonstration
See the timer in action.
Watch how Backyard Lap Timer captures each pass and turns your runs into measurable progress.
Prefer YouTube? Watch the video there.
Inside Backyard Lap Timer
See your progress.
Chase your next best.
Follow your pace on the track, then compare runs and find where you can improve.
Your run, at a glance.
A dedicated race view with your total, best and recent laps. Spoken alerts help you keep your eyes on the car.
Find a faster, steadier pace.
Compare sessions, explore lap charts, review a lap and export your results.
A home for every setup.
Keep drivers, cars and tracks organized, including the surface and conditions that make each run different.
Real application screens with demo profiles and lap times. Camera previews use a test feed. Tap a screen to explore it.
Practice with a purpose
Measure your pace.
Raise your game.
Make every run a friendly challenge.
With an optional account, invite drivers to a shared track and compare best results for the same layout and conditions.
Leave the camera trackside.
Use one phone, or pair a Sensor with a second device on the same Wi-Fi to view the camera and control your session remotely.
Ready when you are
A place on your
home screen.
Install from your browser. Open the timer directly next time, without this introduction.
You can also use your browser’s install menu below.
Android
Chrome
- Open this site in Chrome.
- Open the three-dot menu. Choose Install and create shortcut → Install, or Install app / Add to Home screen on older versions.
- Confirm, then open Backyard Lap Timer from your home screen.
Chrome OS & desktop
Chrome / supported browsers
- Open this site in Chrome.
- Use the address-bar install icon, when shown, or the menu’s Cast, save, and share → Install page as app.
- Confirm, then launch the app from your Chromebook launcher or desktop apps.
iPhone & iPad
Safari
- Open the site in Safari.
- Tap Share, then Add to Home Screen.
- Enable Open as Web App if offered, then tap Add.
Menu wording and availability vary by browser version.
Prefer the browser? Open the app now. Installation is optional. Load the timer once while online before practicing offline; cloud features need a connection.
Before your first lap
Good to know.
Is it free?
Yes. Every feature available today is free, with running costs covered by the owner. Basic backyard lap timing will always be free, with no login required. Future advanced features with additional storage or operating costs may be paid, but basic timing will remain free.
How accurate is the timing?
We’re checking lap registrations against 240 fps video, about 4.17 ms between frames. That interval is not a confirmed accuracy rating. See our current method and its limitations.
Is it available on the App Store or Google Play?
Not yet. We’re working toward future App Store and Google Play releases. In the meantime, we want you to start enjoying the app for free right now through your internet browser. You can also install it from the browser using the instructions above, without waiting for a store release.
Do I need an account or special hardware?
No account is required for local timing. Use a camera-equipped phone and a stable mount; no transponder or additional timing sensor is needed. Sign in when you want cloud profile backup and shared-track records.
Can I time several cars at once?
Plan for one car at a time. Camera crossing detection does not identify individual cars. Stable framing, lighting and calibration help the detector work well. Camera timing is experimental; a millisecond display does not guarantee millisecond accuracy.
Where are my sessions saved?
Full session history stays in your browser on the device that records it. Optional account features sync profiles and best-result summaries. Use the app’s JSON backup tool to keep a copy of your local history.
Help improve the app
Feedback & suggestions
Have an idea or something not working? Tell us about it by email.
Report a problem · Suggest an improvement
Email: [email protected]
Your email app opens a draft for you to review and send. You can attach screenshots there.
Your next personal best starts here
Set a benchmark. Beat it.
Open Backyard Lap TimerStart for free, without a login. Install whenever you’re ready.