How far is a six letter name?

On a dense grid with letters about 650 metres tall, a six letter name came to about 21 to 22 km in our Paris tests. At about 450 metres it was around 14 km.

Why does the distance vary so much?

Letter size, the streets available and the angle all change the route. A tight grid lets you use smaller letters and cut the distance.

Do short names always make short runs?

Mostly, but a name with wide letters such as M or W can cost more than a longer name made of narrow ones.

Can I choose the size?

CityHeart picks the size that fits the streets best. If the run is too long, try a nearby city or a shorter spelling.

How Far Is Your Name? Distance of a Name Run by Length

2026-10-23 · 5 min read · Data

How many kilometres it takes to run a first name as GPS art, by name length and letter size, with real examples traced on Paris streets. This comprehensive guide covers everything runners need to know about GPS art, heart-shaped routes, and how to create stunning Strava activities that stand out. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced GPS artist, you will find actionable tips, real-world examples, and step-by-step instructions to elevate your running with creative route planning.

GPS art has exploded in popularity among runners worldwide. Over 3,000 curated heart-shaped routes are available on CityHeart across 200+ cities in 50+ countries. Each route is designed to follow real roads and paths, creating a clear heart shape visible on Strava, Garmin Connect, Apple Health, and other fitness tracking platforms. Routes range from 3 km to 15 km, making them accessible for walkers, joggers, and marathon runners alike.

Ready to try GPS art? CityHeart routes start at just €7.99 with instant GPX download. No subscription required. Compatible with Garmin, Apple Watch, Coros, Suunto, Polar, and any device that imports GPX files. Perfect for marathon shakeout runs, Valentine's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, or any day you want to make your run more meaningful.

Key takeaways

GPS art routes follow real streets to create shapes visible on running apps
CityHeart offers 3,000+ curated heart routes in 200+ cities worldwide
Routes are available as GPX files compatible with all major running watches
Distances range from 3 km to 15 km for all fitness levels
€7.99 per route: instant download, no subscription

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is a six letter name?: On a dense grid with letters about 650 metres tall, a six letter name came to about 21 to 22 km in our Paris tests. At about 450 metres it was around 14 km.
Why does the distance vary so much?: Letter size, the streets available and the angle all change the route. A tight grid lets you use smaller letters and cut the distance.
Do short names always make short runs?: Mostly, but a name with wide letters such as M or W can cost more than a longer name made of narrow ones.
Can I choose the size?: CityHeart picks the size that fits the streets best. If the run is too long, try a nearby city or a shorter spelling.