Apple Watch not tracking calories accurately? Here’s how to fix it

💡 Need to know

• Not exact science: Calorie tracking is an estimate—personal info and movement data affect accuracy.
• Check your settings: Updating your Health profile and sensor permissions helps a lot.
• Stuck stats? Restart, recalibrate, or re-pair to get back on track.

Your Apple Watch® is an incredibly powerful tool. It can track your sleep, activity levels, and even the number of calories you’re burning throughout the day. But how accurate is Apple Watch calorie tracking?

You may notice that the data your Apple Watch shows under calorie tracking doesn’t seem quite right. Don’t worry—the good news is that the issue is usually easy to fix.

At Asurion, our experts are here to help with tips and tricks on all your tech, from Apple Watches and iPhones to desktops. Follow this troubleshooting guide to fix your Apple Watch's calorie tracking.

Why Apple Watch calorie tracking isn’t always accurate

Apple Watch calorie tracking isn’t a direct measurement like the device's heart rate monitor. Instead, it’s an indirect calculation that estimates how many calories you’re burning. That estimation is only as accurate as the data your watch uses to run its calculations. The calorie tracking you see incorporates personal information that you share, like your:

• Height
• Age
• Weight
• Gender

The watch then combines this profile data with the data it collects on your heart rate and movement to estimate the number of calories you’re burning. The total calories include active calories (calories burned during exercise) and resting calories (calories burned for biological functions, also known as basal metabolic rate).

Keep in mind that many factors affect the accuracy of your results. For example, your Apple Watch may be more accurate at tracking activities like running and walking than indoor cycling. There are also individual differences in accuracy based on factors like height, sex, and weight. Apple Watches may estimate calories more accurately for women than for men, for instance.

Adjust your settings for more accurate tracking

The first step to take if you think your Apple Watch is not counting calories accurately is to go into Settings and make some adjustments. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone®, and select Health.
2. Select Health Details, and confirm your birthdate, sex, height, and weight.
3. If needed, tap Edit to correct this data.
4. Also input if you use a wheelchair or take medications that affect heart rate.
5. Tap My Watch to return to the main settings screen, then go to Privacy.
6. Make sure Heart Rate and Fitness Tracking are both toggled on.
7. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and toggle it on.
8. Tap System Services, then confirm Motion Calibration & Distance is also on.

For the best results, wear your Apple Watch snugly and clean the sensors on the back. Also, be sure your device is running the latest version of watchOS.

Troubleshoot data and sync issues

Still seeing calorie totals that seem too low (or way too high)? These fixes can help:

• Restart both devices: Press and hold the side button on the watch and the Sleep/Wake button on your iPhone. On the phone, also try pressing a volume button with the side button to power it off.
• Check the Health app: Open it on your iPhone and confirm that activity data is syncing properly.
• Unpair and re-pair your Apple Watch: This will reset the device and resolve many sync bugs.

Tips to keep your Apple Watch accurate long-term

To keep your calorie tracking accurate over time, regularly recalibrate your Apple Watch. Just wear it and start an Outdoor Run or Outdoor Walk using the Workout app. Walk for at least 20 minutes at your normal pace.

And don’t forget to keep your Health profile up to date—if your weight, medications, or activity levels have changed, make sure your Apple Watch knows about it.