# Lap Swim — Large display time and laps > Apple Watch lap counter and stopwatch for swimmers with stroke detection. (iPhone/iPad app by Peter Kramer.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lap-swim/id1189805111 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Peter Kramer](https://appshunter.io/developer/348619994) - Category: Health & Fitness, Sports - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 3.20/5 from 31 App Store ratings · 27 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 5 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2017-01-20 - Data updated: 2026-09-06 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lap-swim/id1189805111/reviews.md ## What is Lap Swim? Automatic Lap Counter with Stopwatch and LARGE FONTS; Lap Swim is an Apple Watch (Series 2 and later) App that automatically detects, displays, records and graphs the lap count and elapsed time of a swim session. Detects and displays the type of stroke and stroke count during each lap. - Detects and displays the lap direction and lap count while swimming using the gyroscope in the Apple Watch - LARGE FONT display of time and lap count - Stopwatch function while swimming - Auto start/stop mode detects swimming and automatically starts (or stops) the stopwatch - Lap counter counts up from 0 or counts down from preset lap goal - Senses and displays freestyle strokes, backstrokes, and breaststrokes - Detects and counts kickboard laps - Records and graphs (on the paired iPhone) the following: ------ Date and time of a swim session ------ Time for each lap and of entire swim session ------ Number of laps ------ Average speed and speed for each lap ------ Stroke count and type of stroke (freestyle, back, breast or kick board) ------ Distance in meters or yards - Enters workout information into the Health and Activity apps Lap Swim uses the gyroscope and accelerometer in the Apple Watch to detect the type of stroke and the orientation of the swimmer. Using this information it displays the lap count of a swim session. Lap Swim also has a standard stopwatch function. The swim session information is transmitted to the paired iPhone and displayed on both a table and a graph. Lap Swim is free and fully functional for the first 250 laps. After that, Lap Swim continues to function but it requires a low cost IAP to display the lap count. Screenshots: -Apple Watch: 1) Large 2 line display - Swimming return half of 51st lap after 49:35 2) 3 line display - returning on lap 10 after 9:10; 11 breaststrokes taken this half lap 3) 3 line display - after turning and starting lap 11; showing last half lap stroke count (11) and elapsed time (34.6) 4) 3 line display - going out on lap 12; this lap you have taken 3 freestyle strokes, 2 backstrokes, 5 breaststrokes, and over 15 seconds using a kickboard 5) Starting a Workout Session in 2 second and turning on water lock. 6) Lap length set to 25 yards. 7) Settings options - 2 or 3 line display, split times half or full lap, automatic or manual start/stop, set lap length. -iPhone: 1) Home screen also showing the app on the Apple Watch 2) Graph of the average speed in over 200 swim sessions from 12/16 to 7/20. 3) Graph of the total times in over 200 swim sessions from 12/16 to 7/20. 4) Data collected in a single swim session available for editing. ---- ## Key features - Automatic lap counting - Stroke detection (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke) - Kickboard lap detection - Large font display - Stopwatch function - Workout graphing on iPhone - Health and Activity app integration ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | upgrade from 250 laps to unlimited laps | $1.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 27) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lap-swim/id1189805111/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Accurate *2026-08-10* It is one of the most accurate accountability for lapse on any watch that I ever used. It is fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone. ### 4/5 — Lap swim *2025-06-25* Just doing laps and a good way to track without paying an arm or a leg for.. ### 2/5 — Has potential but too fiddly starting and stopping workout! *2025-06-12* This was nearly what I was looking for but having to turn the crown to select tiny buttons on screen to stop or pause the workout is ridiculous. Also you can only do this once you’ve unlocked the screen. Did a terrible job of counting laps to, missed several. ### 2/5 — Has potential but too fiddly starting and stopping workout! *2024-07-01, version 2.1.1* This was nearly what I was looking for but having to turn the crown to select tiny buttons on screen to stop or pause the workout is ridiculous. Also you can only do this once you’ve unlocked the screen. Why can’t it just be paused and stopped the same way the Apple app works using the 2 side buttons. Such a shame. ### 5/5 — Best swim lap app ever! *2024-02-27* It even counts down. Swimming the 500? Set it to 20 and it will count your laps down. Or 64 for the mile. ### 3/5 — Doesn’t work *2023-12-28* Tried to use this app today. Did not record anything. Swam 2200 yards. Disappointed! ### 5/5 — Kickboard laps counted *2023-11-22* This app can count kickboard laps! How does it do that? ### 5/5 — Lap Swim *2023-11-05* Lap Swim is perfect, gives you everything you need without any of the unnecessary stuff, all in a very easy to use format! ### 1/5 — Not for Apple Watch 3 *2023-01-31* Not accurate at all with my Apple Watch 3. I’ve tried it three times. Read all the directions and it just doesn’t work. **Developer response:** Incorrect. Please use the "Contact Us" button so we can figure out what you are doing wrong. ### 5/5 — It works!!!! *2022-12-17* My ONLY need is counting laps and it did so perfectly! ## Frequently asked questions about Lap Swim ### What does Lap Swim do? Lap Swim is an Apple Watch app that automatically detects, displays, and records your lap count and elapsed time during swim sessions. It also detects and displays the type of stroke and stroke count for each lap, and graphs your swim data on a paired iPhone. ### What are the key features of Lap Swim? Key features include automatic lap counting, stroke detection (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, kickboard), a large font display for time and lap count, a stopwatch function, auto start/stop mode, and detailed graphing of swim metrics on the paired iPhone. It also integrates with the Health and Activity apps. ### How much does Lap Swim cost? The app is free to use and fully functional for the first 250 laps. After that, it continues to function but requires a low-cost in-app purchase to display the lap count. ### What devices is Lap Swim compatible with? Lap Swim is designed for Apple Watch Series 2 and later. Swim session data is transmitted to a paired iPhone for detailed viewing and graphing. ### Can Lap Swim track different swimming strokes? Yes, Lap Swim can sense and display freestyle strokes, backstrokes, and breaststrokes. It can also detect and count kickboard laps, providing a comprehensive overview of your swimming technique. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.1.1 — 2024-03-05 Added an alert if permissions were not granted to write to Apple's Health App. ### 2.1.0 — 2024-01-14 Added Lap Counter count down from preset goal Added iPhone push upgrade to Watch Bug fixes ### 2.0.0 — 2023-10-06 Water lock option. Improved lap counting accuracy Improved stroke detection. Kickboard laps detected (after 15 seconds with no stroke) ### 1.6.6 — 2021-05-21 Removed Twitter and Facebook buttons in response to Apple's concerns about privacy. ### 1.6.5 — 2021-01-16 Bug fix (when Swim session contains no laps) ## Apps similar to Lap Swim | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [LapBuddy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lapbuddy/id1629490884) | — | Free | Health & Fitness | | [My Swim Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/my-swim-tracker/id1461691452) | 1.4 (22) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Swim+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swim-plus/id1493068525) | 3.0 (1) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Phlex Swim App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phlex-swim-app/id6446498031) | 4.3 (38) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Swim Note](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swim-note/id536811573) | 4.7 (11) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [SWim-WiSe.app](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swim-wiseapp/id1451283395) | 1.0 (1) | Free | Health & Fitness | ## More apps by Peter Kramer - [Maze Square (Lite)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maze-square-lite/id348864642) - [Springs'nThingsLite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/springsnthingslite/id375527768) - [Maze HyperCube Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maze-hypercube-lite/id378658863) - [iPlayingCards (Lite)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iplayingcards-lite/id393472221) - [Expense List](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/expense-list/id453919019) - [OptionPosition+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optionposition-plus/id466960840) All apps by Peter Kramer: https://appshunter.io/developer/348619994 ## Related topics [lap counter swim](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lap-counter-swim) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-06.*