How to choose the right Fitbit strap

Buying a new replacement strap for your Fitbit is a fun and practical way to give your smartwatch a new look and to better adapt it to how you use it. But while you’re looking for the kind of material, colour, and design that you want, don’t forget to ensure that the strap you buy actually fits your Fitbit - and your wrist.

To accomplish this, you need to keep two important things in mind: 1, the size of your wrist, and 2, the compatibility between the strap you’re interested in and your Fitbit. When you know these two things, you can easily swap between any number of straps and make sure that your Fitbit is ready for your next adventure.

Once you’ve figured out which strap fits your watch, your wrist, and your lifestyle, we recommend checking out our large collection of Fitbit straps and accessories. We have something for every generation of smartwatch and fitness tracker from the brand, as well as every style and activity.

The basics: Size & compatibility

An appropriate place to start with this guide is with the very basics of buying a new watch strap: making sure that it fits your wrist and your Fitbit. This is obviously very basic stuff and might feel unnecessary even to mention, but getting it wrong is easy - and can be very frustrating.

So, to save you both time, money, and annoyance, let’s run through the basics.

Sizes

First things first: when we’re talking about size, we mean the length of the strap and therefore how it will fit around your wrist. This, of course, causes some immediate issues due to the fact that all of our wrists are different, and we all require different sizes.

Unlike with clothes (where things may vary as is), there is no universal size guide when it comes to watch straps, and we therefore recommend that you take sizes such as S, M, and L as a guiding light rather than a hard rule. This issue is also mitigated in a way it isn’t with, for instance, clothes, by the fact that most (if not all) watch straps are adjustable in size. Because of this, straps that are sized S are often appropriate for smaller to medium wrists, whereas straps that are sized L are appropriate for medium to larger wrists.

Even so, we recommend that you do two things before ordering:

1. Measure: Use a tape measure to get the circumference of your wrist in numbers that you can use as a reference. Another clever tip, which is especially useful if you’re looking to replace the strap that your Fitbit came with, is to measure the strap itself with a ruler flat against a table.
2. Compare: Once you have a number, you can compare it to the size listed on the product you are interested in. What you should keep in mind while doing this is to account for the watch itself, which, depending on the model, will add a few centimeters, as well as the fact that the strap will be adjustable to a certain extent, and can be made both smaller and larger.

Following these two basic steps is a great way to make sure that the Fitbit strap you order ends up fitting your wrist. But, there is another important thing to keep in mind, which is that it also fits your watch.

Compatibility

Unfortunately, it is not true that all straps fit all Fitbit watches and trackers. It is therefore of utmost importance that you order a Fitbit strap that is actually compatible with your Fitbit. This might be easier said than done, however, as some retailers can give unclear instructions and descriptions, and because certain Fitbit series have similar names and you might not think there is much of a difference between, say, a Fitbit Charge 2 and a Fitbit Charge 5. Ensuring compatibility is therefore as important as ensuring the size.

What attachments does Fitbit use?

Fitbit uses three different kinds of attachments across its series of smartwatches and fitness trackers. Unlike, for instance, Garmin (“QuickFit”) and Samsung (“Dynamic Lug”), Fitbit does not have any official names for their proprietary attachments, so in this guide we’ll use names that describe their functionality and features.

Quick–release

This is the most common attachment style, and is often used by many different manufacturers, both for analog and smartwatches.

Fitbit uses this attachment for:

• Fitbit Versa
• Fitbit Versa Lite
• Fitbit Versa 2

→ Check out our collection of Fitbit Versa straps and accessories.

Slide-Button / Latch

This strap slides into integrated rails on the watch and locks in place with a spring-loaded latch, which is released by pressing a small button on the band. This design allows fast, tool-free strap changes while keeping the connector hidden and flush with the watch body.

Fitbit uses this attachment for:

• Fitbit Versa 3
• Fitbit Versa 4
• Fitbit Sense
• Fitbit Sense 2

→ Check out our collection of Fitbit Sense straps and accessories.

Clip-style

The strap snaps or claps directly into shaped recesses on the watch using molded tabs (or hooks) rather than removable pins. Removal requires flexing or disengaging the clip mechanism, making the connection secure but specific to each model.

Fitbit uses this attachment for:

• Fitbit Charge 3
• Fitbit Charge 4
• Fitbit Charge 5
• Fitbit Charge 6
• Fitbit Inspire
• Fitbit Inspire HR
• Fitbit Inspire 2
• Fibit Inspire 3

→ Check out our collection of Fitbit Charge straps and accessories for every generation.

Narrow bands

These straps use a slim, model-specific connector that integrates tightly with smaller or fashion-focused trackers. The narrow interface limits compatibility but enables a lightweight profile and seamless visual integration with the device.

Fitbit uses this attachment for:

• Fitbit Luxe
• Fitbit Luxe 2

Kid-safe bands

The strap attaches using reinforced proprietary connectors designed to resist accidental removal while till allowing intentional detachment for safety. Materials and attachment geometry are optimized for durability, comfort, and compliance with child safety requirements.

Fitbit uses this attachment for:

• Fitbit Ace
• Fitbit Ace 2
• Fitbit Ace 3

Where is the mutual compatibility?

Now you might be thinking to yourself: Does this mean that every Fitbit watch that uses the same attachment mechanism is mutually compatible? Unfortunately, the answer to that is no. That being said, there is compatibility both within and between series, and it breaks down accordingly:

• Straps for Charge 5 & Charge 6 are compatible
• Straps for Charge 3 & Charge 4 are compatible
• Straps for Versa, Versa Lite & Versa 2 are compatible
• Straps for Versa 3 & Versa 4 are interchangeable, and also compatible with Sense & Sense 2
• Straps for Inspire & Inspire HR are interchangeable and also compatible with Ace 2
• Straps for Inspire 2 are compatible with Ace 3

How do I know which Fitbit I have?

Lastly, it never hurts to double-check which Fitbit model it is that you have. Maybe you’ve had it for a long time, or maybe you’re just not sure, but following the steps above to find out which Fitbit strap is best for you won’t really matter if you’re unsure of which Fitbit you have.

So if you’re uncertain, this is how you find out which Fitbit you have:

Fastest & most accurate: Check the Fitbit App

1. Open the Fitbit app on your phone
2. Tap your profile picture (it’s located in the top left)
3. Select your Fitbit under “My devices.”
4. The exact name of the model will be shown there

Most practical: Check the watch itself

• Is the watch square? Then it’s likely either a Versa or a Sense
• Is it tall and narrow? Then it’s likely either a Charge, Inspire, or Luxe
• Is it small with a kid-friendly strap? Likely a Fitbit Ace
• Does it not have any physical buttons? Likely Either a Charge 5 / 6 or Luxe
• Does it have a physical side button? Likely an older Charge or Versa model

Use whatever information you can gather from the list above to look up the model on the internet. You’ll most likely be able to figure it out from there.

If everything else fails

• Check the box the Fitbit came in. It will most likely be printed on the front and back.
• Check the receipt you got when buying it. Likewise, the name will be printed on it.
• Contact our customer service. Using pictures of your device, they will be able to help you further.

→ Our tip: Use this guide as a reference if you’re upgrading from an older Fitbit watch to a newer model. If there is mutual compatibility, then you don’t have to invest in a new strap at all, and can continue using the ones you already have and like.

Conclusion

Finding the best Fitbit strap comes down figuring out the exact length that you need for your wrist and the correct attachment system for your model. Once this has been settled and you know what you need from a more practical aspect, you can then move on to something more fun like material, colour, and design. By cycling replacement straps regularly, you ensure that your Fitbit remains safe and usable for as long as possible.