How does my Fitbit device calculate my daily activity?

Track a variety of stats like steps taken, floors climbed, distance traveled, and calories burned with your Fitbit device.

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To learn more about all the ways you can track your activity, check How do I track my activity with my Fitbit device? Use Gemini to get real-time data like your heart rate and step count while you work out on your Google Pixel Watch. For more information, refer to Gemini on Google Pixel Watch.

How does my Fitbit device count steps taken

Fitbit devices use a 3-axis accelerometer to count your steps. This sensor also allows your device to determine the frequency, duration, intensity, and patterns of your movement.

How does my Fitbit device calculate distance traveled
Fitbit devices use the formula below to calculate distance. Your stride length is determined by your height and sex.
Steps x Stride Length = Distance Traveled

When you track an activity with GPS, your device calculates your distance with GPS data rather than steps. If you move before you get a GPS signal, your device calculates distance based on your steps until GPS connects.

To update your stride length, track a run with GPS or measure your stride length manually. For more information, check Can I change my stride length in my Fitbit account?

How does my Fitbit device count floors climbed

Fitbit devices that count floors have an altimeter sensor that detects when you go up in elevation. Your device registers 1 floor when you climb about 10 feet or 3 meters. Your device uses changes in barometric pressure combined with the steps you take to calculate floors climbed. Fitbit devices don’t count floors on stationary exercise equipment, such as a StairMaster or treadmill, or when you go down a flight of steps.

How does my Fitbit device calculate calories burned?

Fitbit devices combine your basal metabolic rate (BMR) and your activity data to estimate your calories burned. Your BMR is the rate at which you burn calories at rest to maintain vital body functions like breathing, blood circulation, and heartbeat. If your device tracks heart rate, your heart-rate data is also included, especially to estimate calories burned during exercise. The number that appears on your Fitbit device is your total calories burned for the day.

Your BMR is based on the physical data you entered into your Fitbit account like height, weight, sex, and age. It also accounts for at least half the calories you burn in a day. Your body burns calories even if you’re asleep there's no activity. Because of this, your device will display your calories burned when you wake up and notice this number increase throughout the day.

Tip: Certain regions use kilojoules instead of calories. To change your units of measurement, check How do I change the units of measurement in my Fitbit account?

What are some tips to make sure my Fitbit daily activity is accurate
Make sure that you wear your device correctly, either on top of your wrist or in the clip. If you switch your device to your other wrist, update the Wrist setting in the Fitbit app. For more information, check How do I wear my Fitbit device?
A watch on a person's wristTracker clipped to a person's waistband
  • Confirm that the personal information you entered when you set up your Fitbit account (height, weight, sex, and age) is correct. For more information, check How do I manage my Fitbit profile?
  • On certain devices, you can use the Exercise app to track your workouts and check your real-time heart-rate data. This can better determine calories burned during exercise, especially for activities like spinning or yoga where your step count might not reflect your intensity level. For more information, check How do I track my workouts with my Fitbit device?
  • For your device to count steps during a walk or run, your arm must swing back and forth as you move. You can use a GPS to better calculate your distance traveled and calories burned if you need both hands for your activity. For more information, check How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?
Can I edit or delete my daily activity data
You can’t delete daily activity data. If extra steps or floors appear on your device , log a non-step-based activity, such as driving, to override them. For more information, check How do I add, edit, or delete Fitbit data and activities?
Can I change my stride length in my Fitbit account

After you track a run with GPS, your stride length updates automatically. For best results, run at a comfortable pace for 10 minutes or more. For more information, check How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?

You can also measure your stride length manually and add it to your Fitbit account.

How do I measure my stride length?

  1. Go to a place where you're sure of the distance, such as a track.
  2. Count your steps as you walk or run to make sure that you travel at least 20 steps.
  3. Divide the distance traveled (in yards or meters) by the number of steps you took to determine your stride length. If needed, convert your stride length into inches or centimeters.

How do I add my stride length to my Fitbit account?

  1. Open the Fitbit app
  2. From the Today tab , tap Exercise days.
  3. Tap MenuActivity settingsStride Length.
  4. Adjust your stride length.

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