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Create a stopwatch using Python

Stopwatch in Python: Here, we are going to implement a python program to create a stopwatch. By IncludeHelp Last updated : January 04, 2024

Problem statement

The task is to create a stopwatch.

In the below program, the stopwatch will be started when you press the ENTER key and stopped when you press the CTRL+C key.

Logic to create a stopwatch

To run the stopwatch (count the time), we are writing the code in an infinite loop, start time will be saved in start_time variable as you press the ENTER and when you press the CTRL + C a KeyboardInterrupt exception will generate and we will again get the time, which will be considered as end_time. Now, to calculate the difference – we will simply subtract the time from end_time to start_time.

To get the time in seconds, we are using time() function of the time module. So, you need to import the time module first.

Python program to create a stopwatch

# Python code for a stopwatch

# importing the time module
import time

print("Press ENTER to start the stopwatch")
print("and, press CTRL + C to stop the stopwatch")

# infinite loop
while True:
    try:
        input()  # For ENTER
        start_time = time.time()
        print("Stopwatch started...")

    except KeyboardInterrupt:
        print("Stopwatch stopped...")
        end_time = time.time()
        print("The total time:", round(end_time - start_time, 2), "seconds")
        break  # breaking the loop

Output

The output of the above example is:

Press ENTER to start the stopwatch
and, press CTRL + C to stop the stopwatch

Stopwatch started...
^CStopwatch stopped...
The total time: 15.81 seconds

By using the above code, we can create a stop watch, to practice more programs, visit – python programs.

To understand the above program, you should have the basic knowledge of the following Python topics: