Distance Ran

[bingo2019]

When I'm running with my Fitbit charge 3 do I need to carry a phone in order for my tracker to track my distance? If not, how does the distance tracking work?

[JohnnyRow · Accepted solution]

If you carry your phone, your tracker can connect to phone's GPS to get distance.

If not carrying phone, or choose not to use that feature, distance is estimated as number of steps times stride length.

See How does my Fitbit device calculate distance traveled? 

[bingo2019]

Okay thank you! That's really helpful. Do you think the estimated distance is accurate based upon your experiences?

[JohnnyRow]

It cannot be precise but should be fairly close. Of course it depends on having stride length correct.  Fitbit sets a default based on your physical characteristics but you can adjust that as needed.  The easiest way is if you have a measured course (track is ideal) to run and see how the distance comes out; then adjust your stride length to get it to give same distance.

For setting stride length, see Can I change my stride length in my Fitbit account? 

But also remember your stride length is not perfectly constant; it will vary going up and down hills, and based on how you feel, so there is bound to be some inaccuracy built in with that.