Charge 3 is tracking too many steps

[SirM]

After doing very little walking my fitbit was indicating that I took approximately 9797 steps today or 4.3 miles. Why is this??

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Rich_Laue]

What else where you doing? 

When you look at the time the steps where recorded, what where you doing with your arms? 

[SirM]

Just working around the house. Judging by your question the ghost steps all have to do with my hand movements?? Hopefully there is a way to avoid this?

[MarreFitbit]

Hello there @SirM, welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks for the details provided. 

To explain a bit better what my friend @Rich_Laue asked, since you wear a wrist-based Fitbit device and move your body while keeping your arms still (or vice versa), you may see a slightly different step count than if you wear a device clipped to your clothing.

Fitbit devices have a finely-tuned algorithm for step counting. The algorithm is designed to look for intensity and motion patterns that are most indicative of people walking and running. When working at a desk, cooking, or performing other activities with arm movements, a device on your wrist may add some steps. When you’re doing activities that involve arm movement—such as working or cooking—you often walk a few steps in-between stationary periods as well, so the device tries to give you credit for those steps. For most customers, the number of extra steps added by arm-based movement isn’t significant when compared to your overall stats. For more information, see: How does my Fitbit device count steps? and How do I wear my Fitbit device? 

If it still seems like your device is undercounting or overcounting steps, try a step test. While you perform your step test, make sure you: 

-Walk at a normal pace
-Don’t hold anything in your hands
-Put your arms down at your sides, swinging naturally
-Count 1 step for each foot
-To avoid getting an additional step when you bring your feet together, after you reach 100 steps:
1. Freeze in a split-stance. 
2. Move your hand up gently to check the step count on your device.  

Here’s the step test:

1. Restart your Fitbit device. 
2. Put your device on your wrist or put your clip-on device on your hip or torso.
3. Walk 100 steps, making sure to count a step each time one of your feet touches the ground.
4. Pause, then check your device to see your step count, and write down the number of steps you took and the number of steps your device counted. 
5. Perform the test 2 more times, walking 100 steps 3 different times. Each time, write down the number of steps you took and the number your device counted. 

Let us know the outcome, we'll be around.