Lap time is the time for one segment, from the previous mark to this one. Split time is the total time from the start to that mark. Casio's watch manuals use the words this way. The Oneturn stopwatch shows both side by side and labels the split as Total.
One set of laps, read two ways
Say you run four laps of a 400 m track and press Lap at the end of each.
Lap
Clock when pressed (split)
Time for that lap (lap)
1
1:52.40
1:52.40
2
3:47.15
1:54.75
3
5:39.90
1:52.75
4
7:28.30
1:48.40
Splits only grow. Laps tell you the pace of each lap, so you can compare them: here lap 4 (1:48.40) is the fastest and lap 2 (1:54.75) the slowest. The laps add up to the last split, 7:28.30.
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Which one to look at
Was my pace even? Compare laps. The smaller the spread, the more even the run.
Am I on target? Look at splits. For an 8:00 target, the split after lap 2 should be under 4:00.
Did I finish strong? Check whether the last lap beat the earlier ones, as in the example.
Why the words get mixed up
Different makers and sports sometimes use the words a little differently. When you share times, say whether each figure is a lap or a running total. The Oneturn stopwatch's CSV export includes both, down to the millisecond.
On the Oneturn stopwatch
Press Lap (or L on a keyboard) while it runs and a new row appears at the top of the table, with a dot on the dial's rim at that second. With two or more laps, the fastest and slowest are labeled.
Press Lap a few times and watch the fastest lap get labeled.