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How does activity measure flights climbed?

How does activity measure flights climbed?

Apple Watch

Posted on Mar 21, 2021 7:43 PM

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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.

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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?

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