Step counter
Foreground only: counts while this page is open and on screen. Use the timer if your device has no motion sensor.
Opening your local journal…
What “experimental” means here
The estimator looks for rhythmic peaks in acceleration and abstains until it sees a steady rhythm. On synthetic walking signals it lands within a few percent; on random shaking it mostly stays quiet. Real phones, pockets, bags, stairs, vehicles and individual walking patterns have not been measured, so no accuracy figure is claimed.
Every pause is visible
The session timeline shows observed time in solid colour, your own pauses in grey and periods with no sensor data or a hidden page in red hatching. Pace is only calculated from at least a minute of observed time. When you save, the estimate is stored with the algorithm version and the phone placement you chose, and a correction you enter is stored next to it, not over it.
Questions
Can this page count steps with my phone locked?
No. Browsers stop sending motion data when the screen locks or the page goes to the background. StepTracker pauses, marks that time as not observed and adds nothing for it. For all-day counting, use your phone’s or watch’s built-in counter and log its number.
How accurate is it?
Unknown. The algorithm has only been tested on synthetic signals, not on a validated set of real walks, phones and placements. That is why it is labelled experimental and why every session can be corrected while keeping the original estimate.
Does it work on a laptop?
Most laptops and desktops have no motion sensor, so the check will report no events. Use the timer mode or type in your numbers instead.
Is my motion data stored?
No. Sensor readings are processed on the page and discarded. Only the session summary you choose to save (times, estimate, gaps, placement) is stored in your browser.
Does keeping the screen on help?
It can stop the screen from dimming during a walk, where the browser supports it. It does not let the page count in the background.