Join the Discord! →

Join hundreds of racers just like you! We love to help answer questions and race together.


How to See Lap Delta in Iracing

If you need to know how to see lap delta in iRacing, this short guide shows iRacing drivers how to enable the HUD delta and fix it fast so you can improve lap time.

If you’re trying to figure out how to see lap delta in iracing, the quick fix is to enable the Delta display in the in‑sim HUD/Driver Info and choose a reference lap (session best or last lap). You’re in the right place — below I’ll explain what the delta is and give short, actionable steps.

Quick Answer — how to see lap delta in iracing

Turn on the Driver Info / On‑Screen HUD element in the iRacing session UI, then set the delta reference to “Session Best” or “Last Lap.” If no delta appears, set a valid reference by completing a clean lap or use a small third‑party dashboard app (Z1, CrewChief) as a fallback.

What’s really going on

“Lap delta” is simply the time difference between your current lap (or last lap) and a reference lap (your best lap, session best, or another driver). iRacing only shows it when the HUD element that includes delta is visible and when a valid reference lap exists. If you don’t see it, either that HUD panel is hidden, the reference isn’t set, or you’re in a session type/mode that suppresses deltas.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Join a session or load a practice/run on track so iRacing is active.
  2. Open the in‑sim UI (the menu you use to change setups/timing—use Esc or the on‑screen buttons). Look for “Driver Info,” “On‑screen display,” or “Timing/Session” options.
  3. Turn on the Driver Info or On‑Screen HUD elements that list lap times/deltas. This is the control that shows split times and deltas on screen.
  4. Set the delta reference to what you want to compare against — choose “Session Best,” “Last Lap,” or “Personal Best.” If you don’t see a choice, default to Session Best.
  5. Complete one clean lap to create a reference time (if none exists). The delta will then appear on your HUD while you drive.
  6. If you still don’t see it, load a small external app (Z1 Dashboard, SimHub, or CrewChief) which always shows live lap delta until you sort the in‑sim HUD settings.

Extra tips / checklist

  • If HUD looks minimal, toggle HUD display levels in the in‑sim menu — some modes hide delta.
  • Deltas only compare to the selected reference; switch references if the numbers look odd.
  • In practice/qualifying you may need to set a reference lap manually by doing a clean timed lap.
  • Use a third‑party telemetry/dashboard app if you want a customizable or larger delta display.
  • If you race with broadcast overlays, the overlay may hide parts of the HUD — move or resize it.

FAQs

Q: Why does delta show large jumps mid‑lap?
A: Delta updates continuously; braking or traffic changes the running delta. Only trust sector/lap-end numbers for precise comparison.

Q: Can I compare to another driver’s lap?
A: Some HUD options and third‑party apps allow comparing to a specific driver or the leader. Check the Driver Info settings or your dashboard app.

Q: Delta not appearing in official sessions — is it disabled?
A: Official rules rarely disable delta. Most often it’s just hidden by your HUD settings or missing a reference lap.

Q: Is third‑party software allowed in races?
A: Race legality depends on the league/rule set. Many drivers use dashboards for practice; check the series rules before using in official races.

Short wrap-up

The lap delta is a simple HUD option tied to the Driver Info/on‑screen display and a valid reference lap. Turn that panel on, pick a reference (or run a clean lap), and the delta will show — or use a lightweight dashboard app if you need a quick fallback.