When I look at max watts on a Zwift activity, it’s always slightly higher than the max watts displayed in Strava/training peaks. Why is that?
Welcome to Forums! I am Nelson from Zwift Support.
Please note that these small differences in the watts displayed are expected. Zwift often displays a slightly higher max wattage than Strava or TrainingPeaks because it records power data at a higher frequency, capturing brief, intense spikes more accurately.
In contrast, Strava and TrainingPeaks typically use 1-second averaging and may smooth out or miss those ultra-short bursts, especially if they last less than a second, as shared here. This difference in data sampling and processing means our app reflects your raw peak effort, while the other platforms present a more standardized view.
Do not hesitate to contact us at Zwift Support if you have any other questions or concerns, and we will be there for you.