Distance is off on Versa

[CarolM76]

I previously had a Charge 2 and before that an Alta,  and other Fitbit trackers. I'm on my 5th or 6th device.  My previous trackers calculated 2300 - 2500 steps as 1 mile. But with Versa I have to take almost 4,000 steps to get to a mile. Why the difference? Why so wrong?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[JuanJoFitbit]

@CarolM76 I'm sorry for the late response. However, let me welcome you to our Fitbit Fitbit Community and thank you for being part of our Fitbit family for all this time.

Regarding the distance accuracy that your Versa is tracking, please restart it as described in this help article. This will refresh your watch internally. After this, please check out this help page, under the subject "Does the wrist I wear my device on affect accuracy?" and follow the tips so you can monitor your watch to see if the distance accuracy is tracked better.

You can also visit this help article, which explains how to wear your watch for better results.

Keep me posted on the outcome! 

[GrubbyDuck]

Check settings: Stride length.  

Dashboard: Go to Settings - Personal Info - Stride Length: Set to Automatically or if you know yours 'set your own'.

How to calculate your step and stride length.

If you’re doing this calculation outside, bring a piece of chalk and a measuring tape. If you’re doing this inside, have a tape measure and some masking tape.

1. Using the tape measure and the chalk (outside) or the masking tape (inside), measure and mark off a specific distance, such as 20 feet.
2. Start walking about 10 feet before one of the marks to get up to speed in your natural walk.
3. When you hit the first mark, start counting your steps, stopping your count when you hit the second mark.
4. Divide the number of feet in your measured distance by the number of steps you took from the first mark to the second. Distance in feet/number of steps = step length. For example, if it took you 16 steps to cover 20 feet, your step length would be 1.25 feet (15 inches).

If you want to calculate your walking stride length, divide the number of steps you took by 2 and divide that number into the measured distance. If it took you 16 steps to cover 20 feet, divide the number of steps (16) by 2 to get the number of strides. Then take the answer (8) and divide it into the distance. Distance in feet/number of strides = stride length. In this case, you took 8 strides in 20 feet, so your stride length would be 2.5 feet (30 inches).

If you want a more accurate measurement, use a longer distance:

1. Mark your starting point and walk until you’ve counted 50 steps.
2. Mark the end of your last step.
3. Measure between the two marks.
4. Follow the same calculations as above: distance in feet/number of steps = step lengthand distance in feet/number of strides = stride length.

For even more accuracy, do the longer distance three or four times, and then average the results.

How many steps/strides will it take me to walk a mile?

On average it takes about 2,000 steps to walk a mile.

There are 5,280 feet in a mile. To determine the number of steps it will take you to walk a mile, divide 5,280 by your step length. To determine the number of strides it will take you to walk a mile, divide 5,280 by your stride length.

Hope this helps yourself & many others!