How Draw My Loop Works
Draw a shape, snap it to real roads, export GPX. Beginner-friendly, no sign-up.
The short version
To make GPS art, draw a shape on a map, let the tool snap it to real streets, export the route as a GPX file, then import that GPX into Strava, Garmin or Komoot and follow it with your watch or phone. As you move, your recorded activity traces the drawing on the map. With Draw My Loop the whole process takes about two minutes and needs no account — pick a shape, place it over your neighbourhood, project it onto roads, and download the GPX.
Choose a shape
Pick from our library of 50+ shapes — animals, letters, symbols — or draw freehand. You can also type text or import an image to vectorize.
Position on the map
Move, resize, and rotate the shape on the map. Place it over the area where you want to run or ride. The preview shows you exactly what the route will look like.
Snap to roads
Click 'Project onto roads' and our algorithm calculates the best route along real streets and paths. The result is a 100% runnable route that matches your shape.
Export & run
Download the GPX file and import it into Strava, Garmin Connect, or any GPS watch. Follow the route and watch your GPS art come to life!
Tips for great GPS art
- •Start with simple shapes (heart, star) before trying complex ones.
- •Residential areas with many streets work best — they give more routing options.
- •Avoid highways and restricted areas — the router will detour around them.
- •Bigger shapes are often easier — gives more room for road adjustments.
- •Check the elevation profile before running — some routes may have unexpected hills!
GPS art questions, answered
Is GPS art hard to make?
No. The hard part — turning a drawing into a route that follows real streets — is done for you. You pick or draw a shape, the tool snaps it to the road network, and you export a ready-to-run GPX. The only real effort is running or riding the route itself.
Do I need an account or paid app?
No account and no install are needed to design a shape and see it on the map. Draw My Loop runs in your browser. You only sign in when you want to save a route or export the GPX, and creating GPS art with the free tools costs nothing.
Does GPS art work for both running and cycling?
Yes. You choose a routing profile — on foot or by bike — and the tool uses the streets and paths that suit that activity. Cycling routes tend to be longer and favour roads; running and walking routes can use smaller paths, so the same shape can be drawn at very different sizes.
What equipment do I need to record GPS art?
Anything that records a GPS track: a Garmin, Coros, Suunto or Apple Watch, or simply the Strava app on your phone. Import the GPX as a course so your device can guide you turn by turn, then start your activity and follow the line.
How long does a GPS art route have to be?
There is no fixed length — it depends on the shape and where you place it. Simple shapes work from around 3–5 km, while detailed drawings or text need more distance to stay recognisable. Bigger placements in dense, grid-like neighbourhoods usually give the cleanest result.
Which apps can I import the GPX into?
The exported GPX is a standard route file, so it imports into Strava (Routes → Create → Import GPX), Garmin Connect, Komoot, Wahoo and most GPS watches and bike computers. Once imported you can sync it to your device and navigate it outdoors.