You just finished a massive cleaning session in the kitchen. You’re sweaty, tired, and honestly, you feel like you've run a marathon. You look down at your wrist. Your Fitbit says you've banked 1,200 steps.
But you haven't left the room.
This is the classic Fitbit experience. Whether it’s "earning" 50 steps while brushing your teeth or realizing your morning walk didn't register because you were pushing a stroller with a death grip, step tracking isn't a perfect science. Using a Fitbit to track steps is basically trusting a tiny computer to guess what your body is doing based on how your wrist wiggles.
It's not magic. It’s a 3-axis accelerometer.
The Secret Math Behind Your Step Count
Most people think their Fitbit has a little pedometer ball inside that clicks with every stride. Nope. It uses an accelerometer to measure the frequency, duration, and intensity of your movements.
The device looks for "acceleration signatures." Walking has a specific rhythm. It’s a series of impacts followed by a swing. When you walk, your foot hits the ground and sends a tiny shockwave up your body. Your wrist-based tracker is tuned to listen for that specific vibration.
But here’s the catch.
If you’re sitting at a desk and typing aggressively—maybe you're a heavy-handed gamer or an angry emailer—the device might mistake those vibrations for steps. On the flip side, if you walk while carrying a heavy box or holding a dog leash steady, your arm isn't swinging. No swing often means no steps.
Why the 2026 Google Merge Matters
If you haven't heard, the deadline to move your Fitbit data to a Google Account is February 2, 2026. If you don't merge, your history—including those 20,000-step days you're so proud of—could be wiped. Google is also leaning heavily into Health Connect. This is basically a central hub on your Android phone where Fitbit, Google Fit, and other apps share data.
Is Fitbit More Accurate Than Your Phone?
Generally, yes.
A phone in your pocket is great for catching leg movement, but it misses the nuances of upper-body activity. However, a study from a few years back (and reinforced by 2025 tester data) suggests that while Fitbit is excellent for consistency, it tends to overcount compared to the Apple Watch.
Fitbit is "generous."
It wants you to succeed. Sometimes it wants you to succeed so much that it gives you credit for driving over a bumpy road. If you’re a "step purist," this might drive you crazy. But for most of us, the total number matters less than the trend. If you did 8,000 steps yesterday and 10,000 today, you moved more. That's the real win.
The "Dominant Wrist" Trap
This is the biggest mistake I see.
When you set up your tracker, the app asks if you’re wearing it on your dominant or non-dominant hand. Most people ignore this. Don't.
If you wear your Fitbit on your dominant hand (the one you write, eat, and brush your teeth with), it’s going to move a lot more. If the app thinks it’s on your non-dominant hand, it will be hyper-sensitive and count every one of those movements as a step.
Pro tip: Tell the app it's on your dominant wrist even if it isn't, if you find it overcounts. This lowers the sensitivity.
How to Calibrate Your Stride Length for Real Accuracy
If you feel like your "distance traveled" is way off even if the steps look okay, your stride length is probably the culprit. Fitbit calculates distance by multiplying your steps by an estimated stride length based on your height.
But we aren't all built the same. Some of us have short, fast strides; others lunge like they’re in a 1920s walking race.
- Go to a local track or a path where you know the exact distance (like 0.5 miles).
- Count your steps manually as you walk that distance.
- Open the Fitbit app.
- Go to Settings > Activity & Wellness > Stride Length.
- Switch off "Set Automatically" and do the math yourself.
It takes ten minutes and makes a massive difference.
Troubleshooting: When Your Fitbit Stops Counting
Sometimes the thing just gives up. You walk a mile, and the counter stays stuck at 42.
First, check your fit. If the band is sliding up and down your forearm like a loose bangle, the sensors can't "feel" the impact of your feet. It needs to be snug—about two finger-widths above your wrist bone.
Second, the "Restart" trick is a cliché for a reason. For a Charge 6 or Luxe, you usually have to plug it into the charger and press the button on the charging cable three times. For a Versa or Sense, hold the side button for 10 seconds until the Fitbit logo pops up.
Actionable Steps to Improve Your Tracking Today
Stop obsessing over the exact number and focus on these three things to make the data actually useful:
👉 See also: The Real Reason How Much Does a Head Weigh Actually Matters for Your Health
- Switch to the non-dominant wrist setting in the app immediately to reduce "ghost steps" from chores.
- Log your non-step activities. If you’re cycling or doing yoga, your Fitbit might try to guess steps. Manually starting the "Exercise" mode on the device tells the algorithm to look for heart rate data instead of just motion.
- Sync every morning. With the 2026 Google migration in full swing, local data on the watch can get glitchy if the app isn't talking to the cloud regularly.
The reality is that no wrist-worn device is 100% accurate. They are motivational tools, not medical-grade lab equipment. If your Fitbit says you hit 10k, celebrate it—even if 200 of those steps were actually just you folding laundry.
Check your Fitbit app settings right now. Make sure your height is correct and your wrist preference is set properly. If you haven't moved your account to Google yet, do that before the February deadline so you don't lose your progress.