Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference to kick off June 10 at 10 a.m. PDT with Keynote address

The Keynote will be available to stream on apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple TV app, and the Apple YouTube channel. On-demand playback will be available after the conclusion of the stream.

You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple ID, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How does activity measure flights climbed?

How does activity measure flights climbed?

Apple Watch

Posted on Mar 21, 2021 7:43 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 22, 2021 6:33 AM

It used the combined data from the altimeter and the accelerometer. If it used the altimeter alone, it would record that you had climbed stairs when you rode in an elevator.


As noted, it's pretty reliable. However, if you're hiking and doing lots of short elevation gains or loses, it can sometimes count those as flights of stairs. As they are, from a fitness standpoint, pretty much the same, it's not something I worry about much.

3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 22, 2021 6:33 AM in response to Sbconrad45

It used the combined data from the altimeter and the accelerometer. If it used the altimeter alone, it would record that you had climbed stairs when you rode in an elevator.


As noted, it's pretty reliable. However, if you're hiking and doing lots of short elevation gains or loses, it can sometimes count those as flights of stairs. As they are, from a fitness standpoint, pretty much the same, it's not something I worry about much.

Apr 6, 2021 7:29 AM in response to Sbconrad45

In the Health app it defines a flight of stairs as:


"A flight of stairs is counted as approximately 10 feet (3 Meters) of elevation gain (approximately 16 steps).”


The measurement uses motion sensor data and barometric pressure data to determine the distance walked and to differentiate it from flights up in an elevator for example.

How does activity measure flights climbed?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.