One more lap. Or ten.
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 practice, on your terms
Your backyard.
Your best lap.
Make every run count. Turn your phone’s camera into an automatic lap timer and discover what makes you faster.
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.
Inside Backyard Lap Timer
The run is just
the beginning.
See your pace as you drive. Find your rhythm when you stop.
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.
Make practice yours
Chase a time.
Build a habit.
Your track. Your drivers.
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.
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.
The next lap is yours
Put a time to it.
Open Backyard Lap TimerStart for free, without a login. Install whenever you’re ready.