---
id: garmin-fit-sdk
version: "21.213.0"
license: unclear
license_treatment: unclear
maintenance: active
---

# garmin-fit-sdk — Garmin FIT Python SDK

License: unclear · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 139.3K/mo

## What it is and what it does

The Garmin FIT Python SDK is an official decoder for Garmin's FIT (Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer) binary format, commonly used to store activity data from Garmin sports watches, fitness trackers, and other devices. It reads binary FIT files and converts them into structured Python dictionaries and lists, with optional post-processing to apply scaling factors, convert timestamps to Python datetime objects, expand subfields, and validate file integrity via CRC checks.

The package provides a Stream abstraction to load FIT data from files, bytearrays, or BytesIO objects, and a Decoder class that validates the file structure, checks integrity, and reads messages with customizable options. Developers can disable expensive operations like CRC validation or type conversion to optimize performance, or use a callback listener to inspect and modify messages during decoding. It is typed and actively maintained by Garmin, with support for modern Python versions.

Use it for:

- Extract and analyze activity records (GPS, heart rate, cadence) from Garmin device exports for fitness tracking applications.
- Validate FIT file integrity and structure before processing in data pipelines or archival systems.
- Convert raw FIT epoch timestamps and scaled sensor values into human-readable formats for reporting or visualization.
- Batch decode multiple FIT files while selectively disabling CRC checks or type conversion to reduce processing time.
- Inspect FIT file headers and metadata to determine device type or activity category before full decoding.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Decodes Garmin FIT (Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer) binary files into structured Python objects, with options to apply scaling, convert timestamps, and expand subfields according to the FIT Profile specification.

Yes, with a license caveat. The package is actively maintained, has low install friction, supports current Python versions, and is the official Garmin decoder—essential if you work with FIT files. However, verify the license terms at the repository first, as the package metadata does not declare one; this is a blocker for proprietary or GPL-sensitive projects.

## Install

pip install garmin-fit-sdk
uv add garmin-fit-sdk
poetry add garmin-fit-sdk

## Installing garmin-fit-sdk

Before you install: Low friction: pure Python wheel with only typing_extensions as a runtime dependency. Actively maintained—released 3 days ago with recent commits and 156 repository stars. Supports current Python versions (3.6 and later).

License in practice: License status is unclear—no SPDX identifier or raw license text is available in the package metadata. Verify the actual license terms at the repository before use in proprietary or copyleft-sensitive contexts.

Quickstart:

from garmin_fit_sdk import Decoder, Stream

stream = Stream.from_file("Activity.fit")
decoder = Decoder(stream)
messages, errors = decoder.read()
print(messages)

Requires Python 3.6 or greater; input must be a valid FIT binary file (Garmin format).

Verify before relying:

- Whether the package is distributed under an open-source or proprietary license (license metadata is absent).
- Performance characteristics when decoding large FIT files or disabling CRC checks.
- Compatibility with all Garmin device types and FIT Profile versions.

## Package facts

- License: not declared (unclear)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 139.3K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

garmin fit file decoder, fit sdk python, parse garmin activity files, fit binary format reader, garmin device data extraction, fit file validation, activity data decoding, garmin-integration, binary-format, fitness-data

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