Swimming Lap Counter & Distance Tracker
Set your pool length, put the phone on the pool edge, and tap the button after each length to count laps and track distance and pace. Screen stays on during your swim. Nothing uploaded.
Settings
Session
Session History
Learn more: swimming lap counters and pool training
How to count laps without losing track
Losing count past 20 laps is a common problem for distance swimmers. A dedicated swim watch can cost over £200, but a simple tap counter on poolside is free and works just as well. This app displays a large button on your phone screen that you tap at the end of each length. The counter increments, and the app tracks cumulative distance and pace per 100m in real time.
Pool length matters - 25m, 50m, and yards
A tap counter is only as useful as its pool length setting. Different pools are different lengths: Olympic pools are 50m, local pools are often 25m, and in the US many pools are 25 or 50 yards. Before you start, select the correct pool length from the dropdown. Each tap will count one length, and distance will accumulate correctly. You can change the setting mid-session if you switch pools.
Screen stay-on and wet-finger reliability
The app uses the browser Wake Lock API to keep your screen active while the session runs. This prevents your phone from dimming between lengths, so you can see your count at a glance. The entire screen area acts as the tap target, so tapping with wet fingers works reliably. If your browser does not support Wake Lock (older Safari, for example), the counter still works - it just runs in the background and you may need to unlock the phone between taps.
FAQ
Can I use my phone as a lap counter at the pool?
Yes - place your phone on the pool edge (not in the water) and tap the large button at the end of each length. The screen stay-on feature prevents the display from dimming so you can see your count without unlocking. The entire screen is the tap target, so wet fingers work reliably.
Does the screen stay on during the swim session?
Yes - the app uses the browser's Wake Lock API to prevent the screen from dimming while the session is active. This works in Chrome and most modern mobile browsers. Not available in all browsers (Safari on iOS does not support Wake Lock as of 2024), but the session continues running in the background regardless.
How do I count laps in a 25m vs 50m pool?
Select your pool length before starting. In a 25m pool, each tap counts one length (25m). In a 50m pool, each tap counts one length (50m). If you prefer to count laps as two lengths (down and back), set pool length to double the actual pool length (50m or 100m).