GPS Drawing: how to draw with GPS
A GPS drawing is a line made by moving: you plan a path in the shape of something, then record it with a GPS device, and the track on the map is the picture. Here is how to make one, from the first sketch to the finished map.
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What a GPS drawing is
The canvas is the map, the pen is your GPS track, and the ink is whatever sport you record: running, walking, cycling, hiking, even swimming. Because the line only exists where you actually went, a GPS drawing is planned first and drawn second.
The same practice is called GPS art, and Strava art when it is shared on Strava. The names differ, but the method does not.
How to make a GPS drawing
1. Choose the canvas
First, pick an area you can reach with enough streets, paths or open ground for your shape. Grid-like neighbourhoods give clean lines and sharp corners, while parks and beaches let you draw freely.
2. Plan the shape as a route
Then draw or pick the shape and fit it to the map, so that every line is something you can actually travel. GPSArtify does this for you in Urban mode (streets) or Freestyle mode (open ground).
3. Check the lines
Look for one-way streets, dead ends, water and private property. Adjust the position, size or distance, and regenerate until the route is runnable or rideable end to end.
4. Record it in one activity
Export the GPX file to your watch or phone, or follow it with the GPSArtify tracker. Record the whole drawing as one activity, and pause the recording when you have to reposition, so the line stays clean.
5. Share the map
Once the activity syncs, the map shows the drawing. Share it on Strava, Instagram or wherever you like, and tag it so others can find it.
Easy GPS drawing ideas to start with
The best first drawing has few lines and simple corners, so the route stays short and the picture reads clearly on the map.
More ideas by shape, with real routes
A heart
Two curves and a point. It fits a grid of streets as well as a park, which is why it is the classic first piece.
Your initials
Straight lines suit city blocks. Because letters are familiar, a slightly wobbly line still reads.
A star or an arrow
Long straight legs and sharp turns: quick to run, and easy to check on the map before you go.
A simple animal outline
A cat, a dog or a fish. Save the details for later, and start with a silhouette that reads at a glance.
GPS drawing tips that make it come out right
Keep it simple first
A heart, a star, your initials or a simple animal outline are easy first drawings. Detail then comes with practice.
Use the pause
Where two lines do not connect, pause the recording, walk to the next start, and then resume. The map only draws while recording.
Match the size to the sport
A running drawing fits a neighbourhood, while a cycling drawing can span a city. So set the distance before you plan the shape.
Mind the direction
One-way streets and closed paths break lines. Therefore check them on the map before you go, not on the day.
GPS drawing as a project
A GPS drawing also works as a group project, because the planning and the moving can be shared. A running club can split a large shape into legs that different members record on the same day, while a class can plan a drawing on the map first and then walk it together. Charity events use the same idea: one big picture, many participants, one story to share afterwards.
Whatever the group, plan the drawing once, export the route, and then let everyone follow the same line.
Which app to use for GPS drawing
You need two things: a way to plan the drawing and a way to record it. GPSArtify plans it in your browser on any phone or computer, so there is nothing to install, and then exports a GPX file. To record, use any app or device that tracks GPS, such as Strava, Garmin, Komoot, Nike Run Club, an Apple Watch, or the GPSArtify tracker, which keeps you on the planned line while it records.
Real Strava art planned with GPSArtify
These are not mock-ups. Instead, each picture is a route that was planned in the generator, exported, and then recorded by a real runner or rider.
Cartoon dog, Montreal · Planned with GPSArtify 
Reindeer, Lyon · Planned with GPSArtify 
Pi, Montreal · Planned with GPSArtify 
Freestyle hearts, Budapest · Planned with GPSArtify
Loved by 54,000+ GPS artists in 150+ countries
- Real routes, planned here and then recorded for real
- GPX export for Garmin, Komoot, Strava and Wahoo
- Runs in the browser, so there is nothing to install
Morgan L. “I found the Eiffel Tower on the roads of Paris with GPSArtify.”
Luis M. “Would never have found this route”
Priya S. “GPSArtify turned my jog into a fun park route.”
Jamie K. “The AI suggestions keep every new route feeling fresh.”
Thankful Ride “It's so fun to go on random streets/alleys that I wouldn't have travel down w/o this tool. Thanks”
What you get before you pay
Creating a GPSArtify account is free, and there is nothing to install: the generator runs in your browser. Generating routes, exporting GPX files and using the tracker are part of a paid subscription; the current plans are shown inside the app after you sign up.
So you can sign up, look around, and decide when you are ready to plan your first route.
GPS drawing FAQ
What is a GPS drawing?
A picture made by recording a GPS track along a planned path. When the activity is viewed on a map, the line of the track forms the drawing.
Is there an app where I can draw my route?
Yes: GPSArtify lets you draw a shape or upload a picture on the map, fits it to real streets or open ground, and then exports a GPX file for your watch or app. It runs in the browser, so there is nothing to install.
What is the easiest GPS drawing to start with?
A heart in a grid-like neighbourhood, or your initials. Both use a few long lines and simple corners, so the route is short and the picture reads clearly on the map.
Do I have to do the whole drawing in one go?
Record it as one activity so the map shows one picture, but you can pause the recording to move between lines that do not connect. Long drawings can also be ridden instead of run.
How can I create GPS art?
The same way as a GPS drawing: plan the shape as a route, export the GPX file, then record the activity while following it, and finally share the map. GPS art, GPS drawing and Strava art are one practice under three names.