Charge 3 not tracking distance accurately

[jtomchek]

Hi,

I've run my normal morning route about 5/6 times now using my new fitbit charge 3. I use the exercise --> run function and it is connected to my phones GPS. However, each time I've done these runs they have been recorded at significantly different distances. If ANYTHING the distance may be off by .10 miles at most but I've had it recorded at 5.10 miles 2x, 5.45 miles, and 5.75 miles 2x. Do you know why this is happening or how I can get it to record a consistent right distance?

The distance it recorded on my run this morning, 5.75 miles, was also greater than my overall walking + running distance for the day recorded by my iPhone which was at 5.6 miles. 

Thanks,

Jackson

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there @jtomchek, welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks for the details provided, I'll be glad to help you. 

Fitbit devices calculate distance by multiplying your walking steps by your walking stride length and multiplying your running steps by your running stride length. We estimate your stride lengths using your height and sex. Track one or more runs using on-board or connected GPS, we evaluate that data to automatically update your running stride length. For best results, run at a comfortable pace for at least 10 minutes.

If you prefer to measure your walking and running stride lengths, make sure to follow or to have followed the steps provided in the article: How do I measure and adjust my stride length?.

Note that when you're tracking an activity with GPS, Fitbit calculates your distance using GPS data rather than steps. If you begin moving before you get a GPS signal, the tracker will calculate distance using steps and stride length as described above until a GPS signal is found.

After reviewing this factors, please go for another run and see if the distance improves. 

Let me know how it goes, I'll be around. 

[jtomchek]

Hello,

Thanks for the response. Like I mentioned in my original post, I've been tracking all of my runs with GPS. I always wait for my fitbit to connect with my phone before I start moving. Following this method, I am still getting discrepancies in distance each time which makes no sense that the discrepancies are as large as they are. 

Thanks,

Jackson