diff --git a/Makefile.inc1 b/Makefile.inc1
--- a/Makefile.inc1
+++ b/Makefile.inc1
@@ -57,7 +57,9 @@
 
 SRCDIR?=	${.CURDIR}
 LOCALBASE?=	/usr/local
-TIME_ENV ?= time env
+
+# you can disable time logging by setting this variable to an emypty value
+TIME_ENV ?= ${.CURDIR}/tools/build/time-buildworld.sh
 
 .include "share/mk/src.tools.mk"
 
@@ -789,7 +791,7 @@
 		MK_MAN_UTILS=yes
 
 BMAKE=		\
-		${TIME_ENV} ${BMAKEENV} ${MAKE} ${WORLD_FLAGS} -f Makefile.inc1 \
+		env TIME_MESSAGE="general bmake" ${TIME_ENV} ${BMAKEENV} ${MAKE} ${WORLD_FLAGS} -f Makefile.inc1 \
 		${BSARGS}
 .if empty(.MAKEOVERRIDES:MMK_LLVM_TARGET_ALL)
 BMAKE+=		MK_LLVM_TARGET_ALL=no
@@ -797,7 +799,7 @@
 
 # build-tools stage
 TMAKE=		\
-		${TIME_ENV} ${BMAKEENV} ${MAKE} ${WORLD_FLAGS} -f Makefile.inc1 \
+		env TIME_MESSAGE="general tmake" ${TIME_ENV} ${BMAKEENV} ${MAKE} ${WORLD_FLAGS} -f Makefile.inc1 \
 		TARGET=${TARGET} TARGET_ARCH=${TARGET_ARCH} \
 		DESTDIR= \
 		BOOTSTRAPPING=${BOOTSTRAPPING_OSRELDATE} \
@@ -830,7 +832,7 @@
 		WORLDTMP=${WORLDTMP} \
 		MAKEFLAGS="-m ${.CURDIR}/tools/build/mk ${.MAKEFLAGS}"
 
-KTMAKE=		${TIME_ENV} \
+KTMAKE=		env TIME_MESSAGE="general ktmake" ${TIME_ENV} \
 		TOOLS_PREFIX=${TOOLS_PREFIX_UNDEF:U${WORLDTMP}} \
 		${KTMAKEENV} ${MAKE} ${WORLD_FLAGS} -f Makefile.inc1 \
 		DESTDIR= \
@@ -964,12 +966,12 @@
 	@echo "#endif" >> ${.TARGET}
 .endif
 
-WMAKE=		${TIME_ENV} ${WMAKEENV} ${MAKE} ${WORLD_FLAGS} -f Makefile.inc1 \
+WMAKE=		env TIME_MESSAGE="general wmake" ${TIME_ENV} ${WMAKEENV} ${MAKE} ${WORLD_FLAGS} -f Makefile.inc1 \
 		BWPHASE=${.TARGET:C,^_,,} \
 		DESTDIR=${WORLDTMP}
 
 IMAKEENV=	${CROSSENV}
-IMAKE=		${TIME_ENV} ${IMAKEENV} ${MAKE} -f Makefile.inc1 \
+IMAKE=		env TIME_MESSAGE="general imake" ${TIME_ENV} ${IMAKEENV} ${MAKE} -f Makefile.inc1 \
 		${IMAKE_INSTALL} ${IMAKE_MTREE}
 .if empty(.MAKEFLAGS:M-n)
 IMAKEENV+=	PATH=${STRICTTMPPATH:Q}:${INSTALLTMP:Q} \
@@ -1052,7 +1054,7 @@
 
 # kernel stage
 KMAKEENV=	${WMAKEENV:NSYSROOT=*}
-KMAKE=		${TIME_ENV} ${KMAKEENV} ${MAKE} ${.MAKEFLAGS} ${KERNEL_FLAGS} KERNEL=${INSTKERNNAME}
+KMAKE=		env TIME_MESSAGE="general kmake" ${TIME_ENV} ${KMAKEENV} ${MAKE} ${.MAKEFLAGS} ${KERNEL_FLAGS} KERNEL=${INSTKERNNAME}
 
 #
 # buildworld
@@ -1137,7 +1139,7 @@
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
 	@echo ">>> stage 1.1: legacy release compatibility shims"
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
-	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${BMAKE} legacy
+	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; env STAGE_MESSAGE="1.1 legacy release compatibility shims" ${BMAKE} legacy
 _bootstrap-tools:
 	@echo
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
@@ -1146,7 +1148,7 @@
 .if ${MK_CLEAN} != "yes"
 	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${BMAKE} _NO_INCLUDE_COMPILERMK=t _cleanobj_fast_depend_hack
 .endif
-	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${BMAKE} bootstrap-tools
+	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; env STAGE_MESSAGE="1.2 bootstrap tools" ${BMAKE} bootstrap-tools
 	mkdir -p ${WORLDTMP}/usr ${WORLDTMP}/lib/geom ${WORLDTMP}/bin
 	${WORLDTMP_MTREE} -f ${.CURDIR}/etc/mtree/BSD.usr.dist \
 	    -p ${WORLDTMP}/usr >/dev/null
@@ -1171,7 +1173,7 @@
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
 	# Avoid including bsd.compiler.mk in clean and obj with _NO_INCLUDE_COMPILERMK
 	# since the restricted $PATH might not contain a valid cc binary
-	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${WMAKE} _NO_INCLUDE_COMPILERMK=t ${CLEANDIR}
+	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; env STAGE_MESSAGE="2.1 cleaning up the object tree" ${WMAKE} _NO_INCLUDE_COMPILERMK=t ${CLEANDIR}
 .for LIBCOMPAT in ${_LIBCOMPATS}
 	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${LIB${LIBCOMPAT}WMAKE} _NO_INCLUDE_COMPILERMK=t -f Makefile.inc1 ${CLEANDIR}
 .endfor
@@ -1183,27 +1185,27 @@
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
 	@echo ">>> stage 2.2: rebuilding the object tree"
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
-	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${WMAKE} _NO_INCLUDE_COMPILERMK=t obj
+	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; env STAGE_MESSAGE="2.2 rebuilding the object tree" ${WMAKE} _NO_INCLUDE_COMPILERMK=t obj
 _build-tools:
 	@echo
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
 	@echo ">>> stage 2.3: build tools"
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
-	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${TMAKE} build-tools
+	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; env STAGE_MESSAGE="2.3 build tools" ${TMAKE} build-tools
 _cross-tools:
 	@echo
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
 	@echo ">>> stage 3: cross tools"
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
 	@rm -f ${OBJTOP}/toolchain-metadata.mk
-	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${XMAKE} cross-tools
+	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; env STAGE_MESSAGE="3 cross tools" ${XMAKE} cross-tools
 	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${XMAKE} kernel-tools
 _build-metadata:
 	@echo
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
 	@echo ">>> stage 3.1: recording build metadata"
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
-	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${WMAKE} toolchain-metadata.mk
+	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; env STAGE_MESSAGE="3.1: recording build metadata" ${WMAKE} toolchain-metadata.mk
 	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${WMAKE} host-osreldate.h
 _includes:
 	@echo
@@ -1212,7 +1214,7 @@
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
 # Special handling for SUBDIR_OVERRIDE in buildworld as they most likely need
 # headers from default SUBDIR.  Do SUBDIR_OVERRIDE includes last.
-	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${WMAKE} SUBDIR_OVERRIDE= SHARED=symlinks \
+	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; env STAGE_MESSAGE="4.1 building includes" ${WMAKE} SUBDIR_OVERRIDE= SHARED=symlinks \
 	    MK_INCLUDES=yes includes
 .if !empty(SUBDIR_OVERRIDE) && make(buildworld)
 	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; ${WMAKE} MK_INCLUDES=yes SHARED=symlinks includes
@@ -1224,7 +1226,7 @@
 	@echo ">>> stage 4.2: building libraries"
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
 	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; \
-	    ${WMAKE} -DNO_FSCHG MK_HTML=no MK_MAN=no \
+	    env STAGE_MESSAGE="4.2 building libraries" ${WMAKE} -DNO_FSCHG MK_HTML=no MK_MAN=no \
 	    MK_TESTS=no MK_TESTS_SUPPORT=${MK_TESTS_SUPPORT} \
 	    libraries
 everything: .PHONY
@@ -1232,7 +1234,7 @@
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
 	@echo ">>> stage 4.4: building everything"
 	@echo "--------------------------------------------------------------"
-	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; _PARALLEL_SUBDIR_OK=1 ${WMAKE} all
+	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; _PARALLEL_SUBDIR_OK=1 env STAGE_MESSAGE="4.4 building everything" ${WMAKE} all
 
 WMAKE_TGTS=
 .if !defined(WORLDFAST)
@@ -2953,7 +2955,7 @@
 	${_+_}@${ECHODIR} "===> ${_tool} (obj,all,install)"; \
 		cd ${.CURDIR}/${_tool}; \
 		if [ -z "${NO_OBJWALK}" ]; then ${MAKE} DIRPRFX=${_tool}/ obj; fi; \
-		${MAKE} DIRPRFX=${_tool}/ all; \
+		env STAGE_MESSAGE="3.0 cross tool ${_tool}" ${MAKE} DIRPRFX=${_tool}/ all; \
 		${MAKE} DIRPRFX=${_tool}/ DESTDIR=${WORLDTMP} install
 .endfor
 
@@ -3157,12 +3159,17 @@
 # interdependencies (__L) are built automatically by the
 # ${.CURDIR}/tools/make_libdeps.sh script.
 #
+# the normal libraries runs as stage 4.2.x, and the libcompat as stage 4.3.x
 libraries: .MAKE .PHONY
 	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR}; \
-	    ${MAKE} -f Makefile.inc1 _prereq_libs; \
-	    ${MAKE} -f Makefile.inc1 _startup_libs; \
-	    ${MAKE} -f Makefile.inc1 _prebuild_libs -DLIBCRYPTO_WITHOUT_SUBDIRS; \
-	    ${MAKE} -f Makefile.inc1 _generic_libs
+	    echo ">>> stage 4.2.1: _prereq_libs"; env TIME_MESSAGE="libraries _prereq_libs" STAGE_MESSAGE="4.2.1" \
+	    ${TIME_ENV} ${MAKE} -f Makefile.inc1 _prereq_libs; \
+	    echo ">>> stage 4.2.2: _startup_libs"; env TIME_MESSAGE="libraries _startup_libs" STAGE_MESSAGE="4.2.2" \
+	    ${TIME_ENV} ${MAKE} -f Makefile.inc1 _startup_libs; \
+	    echo ">>> stage 4.2.3: _prebuild_libs"; env TIME_MESSAGE="libraries _prebuild_libs" STAGE_MESSAGE="4.2.3" \
+	    ${TIME_ENV} ${MAKE} -f Makefile.inc1 _prebuild_libs -DLIBCRYPTO_WITHOUT_SUBDIRS; \
+	    echo ">>> stage 4.2.4: _generic_libs"; env TIME_MESSAGE="libraries _generic_libs" STAGE_MESSAGE="4.2.4" \
+	    ${TIME_ENV} ${MAKE} -f Makefile.inc1 _generic_libs
 
 #
 # static libgcc.a prerequisite for shared libc
@@ -3511,7 +3518,7 @@
 	${_+_}@${ECHODIR} "===> ${_lib} (obj,all,install)"; \
 		cd ${.CURDIR}/${_lib}; \
 		if [ -z "${NO_OBJWALK}" ]; then ${MAKE} MK_TESTS=no DIRPRFX=${_lib}/ obj; fi; \
-		${MAKE} MK_TESTS=no DIRPRFX=${_lib}/ all; \
+		env TIME_MESSAGE="sublib ${_lib}" ${TIME_ENV} ${MAKE} MK_TESTS=no DIRPRFX=${_lib}/ all; \
 		${MAKE} MK_TESTS=no DIRPRFX=${_lib}/ install
 .endif
 .endfor
diff --git a/Makefile.libcompat b/Makefile.libcompat
--- a/Makefile.libcompat
+++ b/Makefile.libcompat
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@
 		MK_BOOT=no \
 		MK_CTF=no \
 		MK_TESTS=no
-LIB${_LIBCOMPAT}WMAKE+=	${TIME_ENV} ${LIB${_LIBCOMPAT}WMAKEENV} ${MAKE} \
+LIB${_LIBCOMPAT}WMAKE+=	\
+		${LIB${_LIBCOMPAT}WMAKEENV} ${MAKE} \
 			${LIB${_LIBCOMPAT}WMAKEFLAGS} \
 			OBJTOP=${LIB${_LIBCOMPAT}_OBJTOP} \
 			OBJROOT='$${OBJTOP}/' \
diff --git a/share/mk/bsd.subdir.mk b/share/mk/bsd.subdir.mk
--- a/share/mk/bsd.subdir.mk
+++ b/share/mk/bsd.subdir.mk
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@
         <src.opts.mk> or by using an invalid $${MK_FOO} option.
 .endif
 
+TIME_ENV ?= ${SRCTOP}/tools/build/time-buildworld.sh
 # Subdir code shared among 'make <subdir>', 'make <target>' and SUBDIR_PARALLEL.
 _SUBDIR_SH=	\
 		if test -d ${.CURDIR}/$${dir}.${MACHINE_ARCH}; then \
@@ -137,7 +138,8 @@
 		fi; \
 		${ECHODIR} "===> ${DIRPRFX}$${dir} ($${target})"; \
 		cd ${.CURDIR}/$${dir}; \
-		${MAKE} $${target} DIRPRFX=${DIRPRFX}$${dir}/
+		_subdir=${.CURDIR:C/${SRCTOP}//}/$${dir}; \
+		TIME_MESSAGE="subdir $${target} $${_subdir\#/}" ${TIME_ENV} ${MAKE} $${target} DIRPRFX=${DIRPRFX}$${dir}/
 
 # This is kept for compatibility only.  The normal handling of attaching to
 # SUBDIR_TARGETS will create a target for each directory.
diff --git a/tools/build/time-buildworld-csv.awk b/tools/build/time-buildworld-csv.awk
new file mode 100755
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/build/time-buildworld-csv.awk
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+#!/usr/bin/awk -f
+#
+# Copyright (c) Mar 2025 Wolfram Schneider <wosch@FreeBSD.org>
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-2-Clause
+#
+# time-buildworld-csv.awk - convert the output of time-buildworld.sh to a CSV file
+# 
+# make buildworld > buildworld.log
+# ./time-buildworld-csv.awk buildworld.log > time-buildworld.csv
+#
+# the input from `make buildworld' will look like:
+# time: 4.54 real 7.21 user 0.29 sys start: 1742918038 end: 1742918043 exit: 0 message: sublib lib/libregex
+# time: 1842.72 real 45627.13 user 1161.79 sys start: 1742918117 end: 1742919960 exit: 0 message: libraries _generic_libs  stage: 4.2.4 MACHINE_ARCH=amd64
+#
+
+BEGIN {
+  OFS="\t"; # tab separated values for CSV
+  ORS=""    # \n
+
+  # CSV header
+  print "real", "user", "sys", "start", "end", "exit", "message", "stage" "\n"
+}
+
+/^time: / {
+  # real, user, sys, start, end, exit
+  print $3, $5, $7, $9, $11, $13
+
+  # message/stage 
+  sub(/.*? message: /, OFS)
+  sub(/ stage: /, OFS)
+
+  print $0 "\n"
+}
+
+#EOF
diff --git a/tools/build/time-buildworld.sh b/tools/build/time-buildworld.sh
new file mode 100755
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/build/time-buildworld.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# Copyright (c) Mar 2025 Wolfram Schneider <wosch@FreeBSD.org>
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-2-Clause
+#
+# time-buildworld.sh - detailed time logging for `make  buildworld' stages and steps
+# 
+# This script will be called from /usr/src/Makefile.inc1. You can disable it by
+# setting the variable TIME_ENV to an empty value.
+#
+# the output will look like:
+# time: 4.54 real 7.21 user 0.29 sys start: 1742918038 end: 1742918043 exit: 0 message: sublib lib/libregex
+# time: 1842.72 real 45627.13 user 1161.79 sys start: 1742918117 end: 1742919960 exit: 0 message: libraries _generic_libs  stage: 4.2.4 MACHINE_ARCH=amd64
+#
+# You can parse the output with: make buildworld | grep '^time: '
+#
+# The output will appears if a target is done (end timestamp in seconds).
+
+# the message to display
+message=${TIME_MESSAGE-"none"}
+
+# optional stage number (kind of grouping)
+stage=${STAGE_MESSAGE-""}
+
+# system time(1), not from the shell
+: ${time_cmd="/usr/bin/time"}
+
+
+trap 'rm -f $tmpfile' 0
+# mktemp(1) is not portable
+tmpfile=$(mktemp /tmp/_time-buildworld-XXXXXXXXX)
+
+# we want sub directory target "all" only, and ignore others
+case $message in
+  'subdir all'*) ;;
+  'subdir '*)    message="";;
+esac
+
+# start time in seconds of command since epoch time, we need this for parallel builds
+# note: FreeBSD date(1) does not support miliseconds
+start=$(date '+%s')
+
+# execute the commands, no recursive stage message
+# log the time in portable POSIX.2 format (FreeBSD, MacOS, Linux)
+$time_cmd -p -o $tmpfile env STAGE_MESSAGE="" "$@"
+exit=$?
+
+end=$(date '+%s')
+
+# CPU usage plus message / stage
+if [ -n "$message" ]; then
+  m1="time: $(tr '\n' ' ' < $tmpfile)start: $start end: $end exit: $exit message: $message"
+
+  if [ -n "$stage" ]; then
+    m2=" stage: $stage"
+    if [ -n "$MACHINE_ARCH" ]; then
+      m3=" MACHINE_ARCH=$MACHINE_ARCH"
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  echo "${m1}${m2}${m3}"
+fi
+
+# exit with command exit status
+exit $exit
+
+#EOF