Apple Watch Calorie Burn Accuracy

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Level 1

4 points

Apple Watch Calorie Burn Accuracy

Hi there,

How accurate is the Apple Watch's ability to determine just how many calories you have burned in a day? I used to have a Fitbit and was told once that, technically, you old burn roughly 60% of the calories that the Fitbit claims you have burned. So if the Fitbit claims you burned 100 calories, you really only burned 60.

Is this the same with the Apple Watch, or is it more accurate? I have all of my personal information loaded in to the watch and have had it calibrated since I owned it. It is one of the original apple watches, not one of the new ones that were recently released.

Apple Watch, iOS 10.2

Posted on Dec 16, 2016 7:10 PM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Dec 17, 2016 12:49 AM in response to MEV1009

Hi

When comparing calorie data between devices and their apps, keep in mind that Apple Watch reports active energy / calories, whereas many other fitness devices and apps report total energy (resting + active calories).

When recording workouts using the Workout app, for greater accuracy of results including calories burned, Apple Watch measures your heart rate continuously and uses tailored calorie calculations for various types of activity.

To help improve the accuracy of various activity-related estimations made by Apple Watch, you can also calibrate your watch:

Calibration teaches your watch how your arm movements relate to your stride lengths at different speeds when you are walking and/or running. It does this - during outdoor walks and/or outdoor runs - by comparing data from the accelerometer with GPS (Location Services) data.
To calibrate your watch - and to reset existing calibration data, if desired - follow the instructions here:
Calibrating your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support

For the best performance from the heart rate sensor (data from which is used when estimating calories) during workouts, ensure that you wear your watch snugly on the top of your wrist. Apple suggests that you consider tightening the band before starting a workout and loosening it again afterwards:

Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it. - Apple Support

Activity estimations also depend on your personal information. To check that this has been entered accurately and to update it over time:

On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > Health > Edit (upper-right).

More information:

Use the Workout app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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