Exploring full-body tracking (FBT) in VRChat is essential for elevating your social interactions and making them more thrilling. FBT allows your virtual avatar to accurately mimic your real-life movements, enhancing immersion with natural and expressive body language. In this post, we’ll explain the fundamentals of positional and full-body tracking in VRChat, the equipment required, and tips to achieve optimal results.
What is tracking in VRChat and why does it matter?
VRChat’s many worlds come alive when your inputs—controllers, voice, and tracking—translate your real actions into VR. Tracking is the tech that captures motion so your avatar can mirror you. Using VR headsets with 3D displays and spatial audio offers much more immersion than Desktop Mode.
What kinds of tracking are in VRChat?
- Head tracking: Done by your headset; controls your view and your avatar’s facing.
- Eye tracking: Follows gaze and eyelids; requires hardware compatible with OSC.
- Facial tracking: Lets your avatar mirror expressions; achievable via OSC on some headsets.
- Hand tracking: Controller-free finger/hand motion on supported devices; controllers otherwise move your arms.
- Full-body tracking (FBT): Tracks torso/legs for walking, dancing, posing—focus of this guide.
How do I get full-body tracking in VRChat?
Regardless of platform, you’ll use body-worn trackers such as VIVE Tracker (3.0) or VIVE Ultimate Tracker. Pair your VR headset with the trackers, launch VRChat, and calibrate your avatar. Standalone headsets may pair directly; PC VR typically pairs via SteamVR on your PC.
How many trackers do you need for full-body tracking in VRChat?
Track at least head, hands, waist, and feet (6 key points). Your headset tracks the head and your controllers track the hands, so you typically only need 3 trackers (waist + both feet). You can add more for higher fidelity—up to 8 trackers (11-point tracking) depending on hardware.
Do you need base stations for full-body tracking in VRChat?
For SteamVR-tracked setups (e.g., VIVE Tracker 3.0), Base Station 2.0 units are required. With VIVE Ultimate Trackers, you can do FBT without base stations on supported headsets like VIVE XR Elite and VIVE Focus 3 using a single VIVE Wireless Dongle.
How do I set up full-body tracking in VRChat?
- Pair your VR headset, controllers, and full-body trackers.
- Secure your trackers where you want them (waist/feet minimum).
- Launch VRChat.
- Stand in front of the avatar mirror.
- Open the Quick Menu.
- In LaunchPad, select Calibrate FBT.
- Align your trackers with the spheres shown on your avatar.
- Pull the triggers on both controllers to complete calibration.
For headset-specific steps (e.g., XR Elite), see our support guide.
How do I calibrate full-body tracking in VRChat?
Use Calibrate FBT from your LaunchPad regularly to keep movements synced. If you don’t see the option, re-check device pairing (or SteamVR tracking on PC VR). Align all tracker spheres and pull both triggers to finish.
How do I fix full-body tracking with my avatar in VRChat?
- Height: Adjust your VRChat Height setting so feet don’t sink or float.
- Avatar rigging: Ensure your model meets VRChat rig requirements; clean topology helps deformation.
- IK 2.0 locks: Try Lock Hip, Lock Head, or Lock Both to reduce odd spine angles.
How do I get face tracking in VRChat?
- Attach a compatible face/eye tracker to your headset.
- Turn on and wear the headset; complete initial IPD/eye calibration.
- Launch VRChat and open the Action Menu.
- Enable OSC via Options → OSC → Enabled.
See this getting-started guide and our support pages for more tips.
