The Fitbit calorie tracker feature can be useful when planning a diet or exercise routine. This is how Fitbit calculates calories burned.

Calories are calculated using various data provided by the user and information collected by the Fitbit tracker. This is what Fitbit uses to measure your daily calorie burn.

Your BMR, or basal metabolic rate, is an estimate of how much energy your body uses while at rest or when you’re not doing unnecessary activity, like exercising or running. Fitbit calculates a rough estimate of your BMR using the personal information you provide when you fill out your profile, such as your height, gender, weight, and age. Other information commonly used to determine a person’s BMR includes breathing rate, blood pressure, and heart rate.

This BMR information is why your Fitbit app shows you the calories you burn even if you haven’t done any exercise and have been sitting on the couch all day watching Netflix or Disney+. Your body is burning calories all the time.