WatchFitTool

Garmin Forerunner 265S vs Lily 2 Active

Size, specs & wrist fit compared

Garmin Forerunner® 265S010-02810-04
Garmin Forerunner® 265S
41.7mm × 41.7mmCheck offerView specs
Garmin Lily 2 Active010-02891-00
Garmin Lily 2 Active

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Which one fits you

On wrists narrower than about 44mm, the Lily 2 Active is the safer pick — it stays proportionate down to roughly 40mm, where the Forerunner 265S starts to hang over the edge. Above 44mm both sit cleanly, and the Forerunner 265S gives you more presence.

The Forerunner 265S wears larger than the Lily 2 Active (41.7mm vs 38mm case), giving it more wrist presence — and needing a wider wrist to sit cleanly.

The Lily 2 Active is the slimmer of the two (11mm vs 12.9mm), so it slides under a cuff more easily.

On the wrist the Lily 2 Active feels lighter (29g vs 39g, case only).

Both are middle-of-the-pack for thickness among the 42mm and 38mm watches in the database.

The Forerunner 265S is 3.7mm wider, 3.7mm longer, 1.9mm thicker and 10g heavier than the Lily 2 Active. Both are circular.

Forerunner® 265S

Lily 2 Active

Case width
41.7mm
38mm−3.7mm
Lug-to-lug
41.7mm
38mm−3.7mm
Thickness
12.9mm
11mm−1.9mm
Weight
39g
29g−10g

Switch or add watches

Garmin Forerunner® 265S

Garmin

Forerunner® 265S

Garmin Lily 2 Active

Garmin

Lily 2 Active

Fit tool

Watch Fit Tool

For sports watches, lug-to-lug (L2L) is what matters most — it decides whether a watch overhangs your wrist. Bulky is fine; overhang is not.

Your wrist
mm
≈ 146.9mm around

Garmin Forerunner® 265S

Case 41.7mm · Lug-to-lug 41.7mm · Thickness 12.9mm · 39g

Balanced Fit

41.7mm on a 55mm wrist

10:09TUE 12lug to lug 41.7mmyour wrist 55.0mm

Comfortably inside the edges of your wrist, and it seats and sits low enough to wear without thinking about it.

On a 55mm wrist the sweet spot is 47–53mm lug to lug. This one is 41.7mm, so you could go bigger.

How to Measure

Measure where you wear it, just below the wrist bone. Either of these works — the tool converts between them.

  1. 1. Flat width — arm flat on a table, palm up. Measure straight across the top of the wrist, bone to bone, ignoring the curve down the sides.
  2. 2. Around — a tape, or a strip of paper marked and held against a ruler, snug the whole way round.
Complete Wrist Measurement Guide →
Against one you know

Leather: Attaches at the lugs, so the case back rests on your skin. Thins and softens with wear. Typical figures, not this model’s own.

Show the measurements
  • Across the wrist6.6mm spare each side

    Comfortable, with visible skin either side.

  • Off the wrist12.9mm off the skin

    Normal sports-watch height for a wrist this size. (12.9mm case, back against the skin)

  • How it seats~3.9mm under the rim

    Seats well, with the case back following most of the wrist.

  • Weight on the wrist39g

    Light enough to forget you have it on. (0.7g per mm of wrist)

Garmin Lily 2 Active

Case 38.0mm · Lug-to-lug 38.0mm · Thickness 11.0mm · 29g

Understated

38mm on a 55mm wrist

10:09TUE 12lug to lug 38.0mmyour wrist 55.0mm

Well inside your wrist on every measurement — you have room to go a size up if you want more presence.

On a 55mm wrist the sweet spot is 47–53mm lug to lug. This one is 38mm, so you could go bigger.

How to Measure

Measure where you wear it, just below the wrist bone. Either of these works — the tool converts between them.

  1. 1. Flat width — arm flat on a table, palm up. Measure straight across the top of the wrist, bone to bone, ignoring the curve down the sides.
  2. 2. Around — a tape, or a strip of paper marked and held against a ruler, snug the whole way round.
Complete Wrist Measurement Guide →
Against one you know

Leather: Attaches at the lugs, so the case back rests on your skin. Thins and softens with wear. Typical figures, not this model’s own.

Show the measurements
  • Across the wrist8.5mm spare each side

    Comfortable, with visible skin either side.

  • Off the wrist11.0mm off the skin

    Normal sports-watch height for a wrist this size. (11.0mm case, back against the skin)

  • How it seats~2.9mm under the rim

    Sits flat on the wrist with contact right across the case back.

  • Weight on the wrist29g

    Light enough to forget you have it on. (0.5g per mm of wrist)

2D Dimension Schematics

Every case drawn to scale on a shared centre — from above, and in profile against the wrist.

Highlight
From above — same centre, true scale
From the side — how far each sits off the wrist
  • Garmin Forerunner® 265S41.7mm · 12.9mm thick
  • Garmin Lily 2 Active38mm · 11mm thick

3D preview

Forerunner® 265S vs Lily 2 Active on a wrist

Sized to your own wrist, turned any way you like.

Open 3D try-on

Shapes are built from published measurements, not manufacturer 3D models — accurate proportions, generic dial.

Battery life compared

Furthest apart in Smartwatch mode, where the Forerunner 265S lasts 1.7× as long as the Lily 2 Active (15 days against 9 days).

Forerunner 265SLily 2 Active

  • Smartwatch

    15 days
    9 days
  • GPS-Only GNSS

    24 hours
    —
  • SatIQ GNSS

    18 hours
    —
  • All-Systems GNSS + Multi-Band

    15 hours
    —
  • GPS-Only GNSS with music

    7.5 hours
    —
  • SatIQ GNSS with music

    7 hours
    —
  • All-Systems GNSS + Multi-Band with music

    6 hours
    —

Specifications

The short version

7 key specs
SpecGarminForerunner® 265SGarminLily 2 Active
Case Width41.7mm38mm
Thickness12.9mm11mm
Weight39g29g
ShapeCircularCircular
Display typeAMOLED (optional always-on mode)Liquid Crystal
Battery lifeSmartwatch mode: Up to 15 days GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 24 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode: Up to 18 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band: Up to 15 hours GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 7.5 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode with music: Up to 7 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band with music: Up to 6 hours See DetailsSmartwatch Mode: Up to 9 days GPS Mode: 9 hours See Details
Released20232024

Every specification

352 specs
SpecGarmin Forerunner® 265SGarmin Lily 2 Active
Overview
FamilyGarminGarmin
General
Battery lifeSmartwatch mode: Up to 15 days GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 24 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode: Up to 18 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band: Up to 15 hours GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 7.5 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode with music: Up to 7 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band with music: Up to 6 hours See DetailsSmartwatch Mode: Up to 9 days GPS Mode: 9 hours See Details
Battery typeLithium ion—
Display Size1.1" (28.1 mm) diameter1.00” x 0.84” (25.4 mm x 21.3 mm)
Color displayYesno (16 level grayscale)
Lens MaterialCorning® Gorilla® Glass 3—
Bezel Materialfiber-reinforced polymer—
Memory/History8 GB7 timed activities; 14 days of activity tracking data
Strap materialsiliconesilicone
Charging methodGarmin proprietary plug chargerGarmin proprietary plug charger
Large font optionYes—
Display resolution360 x 360 pixels240 x 201 pixels
Quick Release bandsyes (18 mm, Industry standard)Yes
Weight—29 g
Case material—anodized aluminum
Lens material—Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
Physical size—38 x 38 x 11 mm Fits wrists with a circumference of 110-175 mm
Bezel material—anodized aluminum
Sensors
GPSYes—
QZSSYes—
BeiDouYes—
CompassYes—
GLONASSYes—
GalileoYes—
GyroscopeYes—
ThermometerYes—
AccelerometerYes—
SatIQ™ TechnologyYes—
Ambient light sensorYes—
Barometric altimeterYes—
Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation MonitorYes—
Garmin Elevate™ wrist heart rate monitorYes—
Calendar—Yes
Passcode—Yes
Connectivity—Bluetooth®, ANT+®
Find My Phone—Yes
Morning report—Yes
Weather forecasts—Yes
Smart Notifications—Yes
Smartphone compatibility—iPhone®, Android™
Controls smartphone music—Yes
Pairs with Garmin Connect™ Mobile—Yes
Find My Garmin (helps locate lost device)—Yes
Realtime settings sync with Garmin Connect™ mobile—Yes
Text response/reject phone call with text (Android™ only)—Yes
Product Info
Main SKU010-02810-04—
Product ID886689—
Product NameForerunner® 265S—
Release Date3/2/2023—
Product VariationBlack Bezel with Whitestone Case and Whitestone/Neo Tropic Silicone Band—
Clock Features
TimerYes—
StopwatchYes—
Time/dateYes—
Alarm clockYes—
GPS Time SyncYes—
Sunrise/sunset timesYes—
Automatic daylight saving timeYes—
Sleep—yes (advanced)
Hydration—Yes
Breathwork—Yes
Meditation—Yes
Fitness age—yes (in app)
Sleep coach—Yes
All-day stress—Yes
Women's health—Yes
Health snapshot—Yes
Respiration rate—Yes
Resting heart rate—Yes
Breathing variations—Yes
Relaxation reminders—Yes
Abnormal heart rate alerts—yes (high and low)
Relaxation breathing timer—Yes
Body Battery™ energy monitor—Yes
Heart rate (constant, every second)—Yes
Cycling Features
CoursesYes—
Race an activityYes—
Power meter compatibleYes—
Power curve and % FTP workoutsYes—
Compatible with Varia™ lightsYes—
Compatible with Varia headlight cameraYes—
Speed and cadence sensor support (w/sensor)Yes—
Bike lap and lap maximum power (with power sensor)Yes—
Compatible with Varia™ radar (rear-facing radar)Yes—
Compatible with Vector™ and Rally™ (power meters)Yes—
Compatible with Varia Vision™ (head-mounted display)Yes—
Alerts (triggers alarm when you reach goals including time, distance, heart rate or calories)Yes—
Running Features
Run workoutsYes—
Running powerYes—
Race predictorYes—
Foot pod capableYes—
Running dynamicsYes—
Lactate thresholdYes—
Grade-adjusted paceYes—
Trail run auto climbYes—
Performance conditionYes—
Run/Walk/Stand detectionYes—
Stride length (real time)Yes—
PacePro™ Pacing StrategiesYes—
Vertical oscillation and ratioYes—
Ground contact time and balanceyes (with compatible accessory)—
GPS-based distance, time and paceYes—
Course- and weather-specific race predictorYes—
Cadence (provides real-time number of steps per minute)Yes—
Digital scorecard—Yes
Yardage to layups/doglegs—Yes
Yardage to F/M/B (distance to front, middle and back of green)—Yes
Stat tracking (strokes, putts per round, greens and fairways hit)—Yes
Measures shot distance (calculates exact yardage for shots from anywhere on course)—Yes
What You'll Love
TouchscreenYesYes
Display typeAMOLED (optional always-on mode)Liquid Crystal
Water rating5 ATMSwim, 5 ATM
Garmin Pay™YesYes
Music storageYes—
Multi-band GPSYes—
Training statusyes (improved)—
Training readinessYes—
Pulse Ox blood oxygenyes (spot-check, and optional all-day acclimation and in sleep)yes (spot-check and optionally in sleep)
Sleep score and insightsYesYes
Battery life (smartwatch mode)Up to 15 daysUp to 9 days
Timer—Yes
Stopwatch—Yes
Time/date—Yes
Alarm clock—Yes
GPS Time Sync—Yes
Automatic daylight saving time—Yes
Activity Profiles
GymStrength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Jump Roping—
SwimPool Swimming, Open Water Swimming—
CyclingBiking, Mountain Biking, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking—
WellnessWalking, Pilates, Yoga, Indoor Walking—
MultisportTriathlon—
In the ringBoxing, Mixed Martial Arts—
Team sportsBasketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Football/Soccer, American Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Disc, Cricket, Softball, Baseball—
On the WaterStand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing—
Racket sportsTennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, Racquetball—
Snow & winterSkiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing—
Indoor runningTreadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Virtual Running—
Outdoor runningRunning, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running—
Outdoor recreationHiking, Bouldering, Archery—
Other activity profilesInline skating—
Assistance—Yes
Incident Detection during select activities—Yes
Swimming Features
Pool swim workoutsYes—
Critical swim speedYes—
Time and distance alertsYes—
Auto rest (pool swim only)Yes—
Drill logging (pool swim only)Yes—
Pacing alerts (pool swim only)Yes—
Countdown start (pool swim only)Yes—
Underwater wrist-based heart rateYes—
"Repeat on" rest timer (pool swim only)Yes—
Basic rest timer (up from 0) (pool swim only)Yes—
Stroke type detection (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) (pool swim only)Yes—
Pool swim metrics (lengths, distance, pace, stroke count, swim efficiency (SWOLF), calories)Yes—
Open-water swim metrics (distance, pace, stroke count/rate, stroke distance, swim efficiency (SWOLF), calories)Yes—
Heart rate from external HRM (real-time during rests, interval and session stats during rests, and automatic heart rate download post-swim)yes (with HRM-Swim, HRM-Pro, HRM-Pro Plus or HRM 600)—
Outdoor Recreation
Up AheadYes—
Auto restYes—
TracBack®Yes—
Back to startYes—
Fish forecastyes (via Connect IQ™)—
UltraTrac modeYes—
Vertical speedYes—
Area calculationyes (via Connect IQ™)—
Elevation profileYes—
Projected waypointYes—
Total ascent/descentYes—
Future elevation plotYes—
Distance to destinationYes—
Sun and moon informationYes—
Point-to-point navigationYes—
Rest Timer (Ultra Run only)Yes—
Bread crumb trail in real timeYes—
Barometric trend indicator with Storm AlertYes—
Daily Smart Features
Stocksyes (optional Connect IQ app)—
CalendarYes—
PasscodeYes—
ConnectivityBluetooth®, ANT+®, Wi-Fi®—
Garmin ShareYes—
Find My PhoneYes—
Find My WatchYes—
VIRB® RemoteYes—
Morning reportYes—
Red shift modeYes—
Weather forecastsYes—
Smart NotificationsYes—
Smart trainer controlYes—
Smartphone compatibilityiPhone®, Android™—
Controls smartphone musicYes—
On-device Connect IQ™ StoreYes—
Plays and controls watch musicYes—
Find My Phone during GPS activityYes—
Pairs with Garmin Connect™ MobileYes—
Compatible with Garmin Messenger appYes—
Battery saver (customizable low power watch)Yes—
Realtime settings sync with Garmin Connect™ mobileYes—
View images from notifications on watch (Android™ only)Yes—
Text response/reject phone call with text (Android™ only)Yes—
Connect IQ™ (downloadable watch faces, data fields and apps)Yes—
HIIT workouts—Yes
Yoga workouts—Yes
Cardio workouts—Yes
Pilates workouts—Yes
Strength workouts—Yes
Activity Tracking Features
TrueUp™Yes—
Move IQ™Yes—
Step counterYes—
Floors climbedYes—
Calories burnedYes—
Distance traveledYes—
Intensity minutesYes—
Automatic rep countingYes—
Garmin Connect™ Challenges appyes (optional Connect IQ app)—
Move alerts (displays on device after a period of inactivity)Yes—
Auto goal (learns your activity level and assigns a daily step goal)Yes—
% HR max—Yes
HR zones—Yes
HR alerts—Yes
HRV status—Yes
Manual lap—Yes
Auto scroll—Yes
HR calories—Yes
Custom alerts—Yes
Physio TrueUp—Yes
VO2 Max (Run)—Yes
Interval training—Yes
GPS speed and distance—Yes
Customizable data pages—Yes
Activity history on watch—Yes
Downloadable training plans—Yes
Customizable activity profiles—Yes
Respiration rate (during exercise)—Yoga and Breathwork only
Auto Lap® interval tracking feature—Yes
HR broadcast (broadcasts HR data over ANT+® to paired devices)—Yes
Workout and Training Plans
HIIT workoutsYes—
Yoga workoutsYes—
Cardio workoutsYes—
Pilates workoutsYes—
Strength workoutsYes—
Garmin Cycling CoachYes—
Garmin Running CoachYes—
Garmin Coach - StrengthYes—
Garmin Running Coach ExpertsYes—
On-screen workout animationsYes—
On-screen workout muscle mapsYes—
Garmin Coach - Prebuilt Cycling PlansYes—
Daily Suggested Workout - Cycling (Pace and Heart Rate Based)Yes—
Daily Suggested Workout - Running (Pace and Heart Rate Based)Yes—
Gym—Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Indoor Rowing, Dance Fitness, Jump Roping
Swim—Pool Swimming
Cycling—Biking, Indoor Biking
Wellness—Walking, Pilates, Yoga, Meditation, Breathwork
On the water—SUP, Rowing
Racket sports—Pickleball, Tennis, Padel
Indoor running—Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running
Outdoor running—Running
Snow and winter—Skiing, XC Classic Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing
Outdoor recreation—Golfing, Disc Golf
Health & Wellness Monitoring
Sleepyes (advanced)—
Hydrationyes (in Garmin Connect™ and optional Connect IQ™ widget)—
BreathworkYes—
MeditationYes—
Fitness ageYes—
Sleep coachYes—
Nap detectionYes—
All-day stressYes—
Women's healthyes (in Garmin Connect™ and optional Connect IQ™ widget)—
Health snapshotYes—
Jet lag adviserYes—
Respiration rateYes—
Resting heart rateYes—
Breathing variationsYes—
Relaxation remindersYes—
Abnormal heart rate alertsyes (high and low)—
Relaxation breathing timerYes—
Body Battery™ energy monitorYes—
Wrist-based heart rate (constant, every second)Yes—
GPS—Yes
BeiDou—Yes
Compass—Yes
GLONASS—Yes
Galileo—Yes
Accelerometer—Yes
Ambient light sensor—Yes
Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor—Yes
Garmin Elevate™ wrist heart rate monitor—Yes
Safety and Tracking Features
AssistanceYes—
Live Event SharingAndroid™ Only—
Incident Detection during select activitiesYes—
Incident detection alert on phone for wearablesYes—
TrueUp™—Yes
Move IQ™—Yes
Step counter—Yes
Calories burned—Yes
Distance traveled—Yes
Intensity minutes—Yes
Automatic rep counting—Yes
Move Alert movement options—Yes
Move alerts (displays on device after a period of inactivity)—Yes
Auto goal (learns your activity level and assigns a daily step goal)—Yes
Kid Activity Tracking Features
Toe-to-Toe™ Challenges appyes (optional Connect IQ Toe-to-Toe™ Challenges app)—
Training, Planning and Analysis Features
% HRRYes—
% HR maxYes—
HR zonesYes—
HR alertsYes—
ShortcutsYes—
HRV statusYes—
Load ratioYes—
Manual lapYes—
Rest timerYes—
Auto max HRYes—
Auto scrollYes—
Finish timeYes—
HR caloriesYes—
Voice alertsYes—
Custom alertsYes—
Physio TrueUpYes—
Recovery timeYes—
Training loadYes—
VO2 Max (Run)Yes—
Course guidanceYes—
Training effectYes—
Virtual PartnerYes—
Race an ActivityYes—
Advanced workoutsYes—
Interval trainingYes—
Race glance/widgetYes—
Training load focusYes—
VO2 Max (Trail Run)Yes—
GPS speed and distanceYes—
Improved recovery timeYes—
Configurable lap alertsYes—
Customizable data pagesYes—
Unified training statusYes—
Touch and/or button lockYes—
Activity history on watchYes—
Multisport auto transitionYes—
Downloadable training plansYes—
Training effect (anaerobic)Yes—
Manual multisport activitiesYes—
HRM running pace and distanceYes—
Customizable activity profilesYes—
Auto Pause® automatic timer haltYes—
Respiration rate (during exercise)yes (with compatible accessory)—
Auto Lap® interval tracking featureYes—
Primary benefit (Training Effect labels)Yes—
HR broadcast (broadcasts HR data over ANT+® to paired devices)Yes—
Improved interval (includes open repeats, intervals data page, rest screen and auto detection)Yes—
GPS-based distance, time and pace—Yes
Cadence (provides real-time number of steps per minute)—Yes
Variant
Color—Lunar Gold with Bone Silicone Band
Available Colors—Jasper Green with Jasper Green Silicone Band; Silver with Purple Jasmine Silicone Band; Lunar Gold with Bone Silicone Band
Golfing Features
Alerts (triggers alarm when you reach goals including time, distance, heart rate or calories)—Yes

Wrist Fit

Garmin Forerunner 265S

Sits best on wrists ~44–60mm wide (≈ 11.7–16.0cm circumference).

Garmin Lily 2 Active

Sits best on wrists ~40–54mm wide (≈ 10.7–14.4cm circumference).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Garmin Forerunner 265S bigger than the Garmin Lily 2 Active?

The Garmin Forerunner 265S is bigger — 41.7mm vs 38mm case width.

Which fits a smaller wrist better, the Garmin Forerunner 265S or the Garmin Lily 2 Active?

The Garmin Forerunner 265S suits wrists around 44–60mm wide, and the Garmin Lily 2 Active around 40–54mm. The one with the smaller lower bound is the safer pick for a small wrist.

Can I see the Garmin Forerunner 265S and Garmin Lily 2 Active side by side at true scale?

Yes — the schematics and photos above show both watches at matched scale, and our fit tool overlays each on your wrist width.

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