Directions to Add Miles on Strava Manually

Strava is a popular fitness tracking application that allows athletes to record and share their activities. While automatic GPS tracking is the primary method, users can manually add miles/activities when GPS data is unavailable or incomplete. Below are comprehensive instructions for manually adding mileage to your Strava account across different platforms and scenarios.

1. Prerequisites for Manual Entry 2. Mobile App Method 3. Web Browser Method 4. Activity Type Specifications 5. Distance and Time Formatting 6. Elevation and Route Details 7. Privacy and Sharing Settings 8. Syncing with Other Platforms 9. Common Errors and Solutions 10. Best Practices 11. Support Resources

Prerequisites for Manual Entry

Before manually adding miles, ensure you have: Active Strava account, basic activity details (distance, duration, activity type), and access to mobile app or web browser.

Requirement	Description
Strava Account	Free or subscription account required for manual entries
Activity Type	Running, cycling, swimming, walking, etc.
Distance Data	Miles or kilometers measured
Time Duration	Total activity time in hours/minutes/seconds
Date & Time	When the activity occurred
Optional Details	Elevation, route name, description, gear used

Mobile App Method

Using Strava mobile application (iOS/Android) for manual entry.

Open Strava app and tap the "+" (plus) icon
Select "Manual Activity" from the options
Choose activity type (Run, Ride, Swim, etc.)
Enter distance in miles or kilometers
Input duration (hours, minutes, seconds)
Set date and time of activity
Add optional details: title, description, elevation
Tap "Save" to add to your Strava profile

NOTE! Mobile app allows quick entry but may have character limits for descriptions.

Web Browser Method

Using Strava website on desktop/laptop for detailed manual entries.

Log into strava.com and click "Upload" button
Select "Manual Entry" option
Fill in activity type, distance, and duration
Add elevation data if available
Include route details and description
Set privacy controls (Everyone, Followers, Only You)
Assign gear if tracking equipment usage
Click "Create" to save manual activity

TIP! Web version offers more detailed entry fields than mobile app.

Activity Type Specifications

Running: Road running, trail running, track running
Cycling: Road bike, mountain bike, gravel cycling
Swimming: Pool swimming, open water swimming
Walking: Hike, walk, treadmill walking
Winter Sports: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing
Other: Yoga, weight training, stretching

Distance and Time Formatting

Proper formatting ensures accurate mileage tracking and statistics.

Distance: Enter in miles (mi) or kilometers (km). Strava automatically converts between units based on profile settings. Time: Format as HH:MM:SS or MM:SS. Leading zeros not required. Pace/Speed: Automatically calculated from distance and time inputs.

Elevation and Route Details

Adding elevation data and route information enhances activity accuracy.

Elevation: Enter total feet/meters gained if known
Route: Describe course or location of activity
Weather: Add temperature and conditions if relevant
Effort: Rate perceived exertion (1-10 scale)

NOTE! Elevation data affects calorie calculations and performance metrics.

Privacy and Sharing Settings

Control who can see your manually added activities.

Setting	Description
Everyone	Public visibility on your profile
Followers	Only your approved followers can view
Only You	Completely private activity
Hide from Home Feed	Activity visible on profile but not in followers' feeds

Syncing with Other Platforms

Manual entries can sync with connected apps and devices.

Connect Strava to other fitness platforms in Settings
Manual entries may sync to Apple Health, Google Fit
Compatible with most wearable devices when properly connected
Check sync status in connected apps section

WARNING! Duplicate entries may occur if multiple platforms track same activity.

Common Errors and Solutions

Error	Cause	Solution
Activity not saving	Network connection	Check internet connection; try again
Incorrect distance	Unit mismatch	Verify miles vs kilometers in profile settings
Missing from feed	Privacy settings	Adjust visibility in activity privacy options
No elevation data	Manual entry limitation	Add elevation manually or use GPS activity
Sync failures	Platform connections	Reconnect third-party apps in settings

Best Practices

Ensure accurate and meaningful manual entries.

Record activities promptly while details are fresh
Use consistent units throughout your profile
Add descriptive titles for easy organization
Include weather and terrain conditions when relevant
Regularly backup your Strava data

Support Resources

Strava Help Center: support.strava.com for detailed guides. Community Forums: Connect with other users for tips. Mobile App Support: In-app help section. Email Support: Available for subscription members.

Contact: [email protected] | strava.com/help