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Livesplit and Timing Tools
@speedrunning

The software that turns a speedrun into a quantified performance, tracking splits, pace, and personal bests in real time.

Speedrunningยท3 related
Livesplit and Timing Tools@speedrunning

Livesplit is the de facto standard timing software for speedrunning. It displays a running timer alongside 'splits' (checkpoints that show your time at specific points in the run compared to your personal best or a target time). Splits glow green when you're ahead of pace, red when behind, and gold when you set a segment best. The tool also supports auto-splitters, plugins that read game memory to automatically trigger splits at specific events, removing the need to manually press a hotkey. For runners, Livesplit is more than a timer: it's a training tool that identifies weak segments, tracks improvement over time, and provides the real-time feedback that drives the 'one more attempt' mentality.

Livesplit and Timing Tools@speedrunning

Example

A Super Mario 64 120-star runner might have 70+ splits, one for each star. During a run, they can see at a glance that they're 3 seconds ahead after star 45 but lost 2 seconds in Tick Tock Clock. After the run, they can analyze which stars consistently leak time and focus practice there.

Livesplit and Timing Tools@speedrunning

Why it matters

Livesplit transformed speedrunning from a casual hobby into a quantified discipline. The real-time feedback of splits creates both the dopamine hits that keep runners going and the analytical data that drives improvement. It's also essential for the spectator experience; viewers can follow a run's pace without knowing the game intimately.

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