Accuracy of steps and distances

[Gosper]

I thought the steps and distances seemed exaggerated,  walked across room counting steps,30 counted,Fitbit 35?  Walked around neighborhood on specific route. Fitbit showed 4 mi. Retraced route in car (2017 Lincoln) got 2.5 mi.! What's up,I got the Fitbit to get an count of my daily distances walking or doing yard work ec.! Any suggestions? 

[JohnnyRow · Accepted solution]

2 issues:

A) For checking step count, really need more than walking across room; better to do outside, at least 100 steps, preferably more.  Walking across room, you might have issues with the start and finish. Does count start and end exactly right?  Remember it is looking at arm swing to count steps; any difference starting and stopping is magnified over such a short count.

B) Distance - Since you did not say, I will assume you were not using phone's GPS when walking.  In that case, distance is calculated as number of steps times stride length.  Fitbit sets a default stride length but it could be off.  Here is how to test and set stride length:

How do I measure and adjust stride length for my Fitbit device?

[Gosper]

I have Fitbit clipped to pants. How does that affect it? I'll try the 100
steps test. I'll measure my stride with yard stick instead of guessing!
Thanks for feedback!

[Gosper]

I have Fitbit clipped to pants,how does this affect it? I'll try the 100 step test. I'll  measure my stride with a yard stick instead of guessing!