Creating a segment on Strava means drawing a route on the map and naming it so other athletes can record their times on that same stretch

A segment on Strava is a defined portion of a road, trail, or path that you mark out yourself. Once you create it, any Strava user who runs, cycles, or swims over that same route will automatically get a time recorded for that segment. You can then see how your time compares to others who have done the segment, and Strava will rank you on a leaderboard.

Segments are useful if you want to track your progress on a specific hill, a commute route, or a favorite local loop. You create them directly in the Strava app or on the Strava website by drawing the start and end points on a map. The process takes a few minutes and requires no special permissions.

Key Takeaways

  • You create a segment by opening a past activity, selecting the portion of the route you want to mark, and giving it a name.
  • Segments work best on routes you have already recorded at least once, so Strava knows the exact path you took.
  • Once created, any athlete who records an activity that overlaps your segment will automatically get a time for it.
  • Strava will reject segments that are too short (under 0.1 miles for running, under 0.5 miles for cycling), too long, or that duplicate existing segments in the same location.

How to create a segment from a past activity

The easiest way to create a segment is to use an activity you have already recorded. Open the Strava app, find the activity you want to use, and tap the three-dot menu at the top right. Select "Create a Segment" from the menu.

Strava will show you the map of your activity with two markers — one at the start and one at the end. Drag the start marker to where you want the segment to begin and the end marker to where you want it to finish. You can zoom in and out to see the route more clearly and place the markers precisely. Once the markers are in the right spots, tap "Next."

On the next screen, give your segment a name. Use something clear and specific — for example, "Main Street Hill" or "Park Loop Trail" rather than something vague. You can also choose whether the segment is for running, cycling, or swimming. Tap "Create" and Strava will save the segment.

Creating a segment from scratch on the website

If you want to create a segment without using a past activity, you can do it on the Strava website. Log in, go to the Explore page, and find the area where you want to create the segment. Click "Create a Segment" in the left sidebar.

A map will appear with a drawing tool. Click on the map to set your start point, then click again to set your end point. You can add more points along the way if the segment has turns or curves. Once you have marked the route, name the segment and choose the sport type. Click "Create Segment" to finish.

This method works well if you want to create a segment for a route you have not yet recorded, or if you want to mark a very specific path that might not match your exact GPS trace from a past activity.

What happens after you create a segment

Once your segment is live, Strava adds it to the leaderboard. Any athlete who records an activity that passes through your segment will automatically get a time for it. They will see it in their activity details and can compare their time to others on the leaderboard.

You can view your segment anytime by searching for it by name or by visiting the Explore page and finding it on the map. You will see the leaderboard, the full list of efforts (individual times recorded on that segment), and your own personal record.

Strava moderates segments to prevent duplicates and spam. If your segment overlaps too much with an existing one in the same area, Strava may merge them or ask you to adjust it. Segments that are too short, too long, or that run through private property may be flagged or removed.

Minimum and maximum segment lengths

Strava enforces size limits to keep segments useful and prevent clutter. For running segments, the minimum length is 0.1 miles and the maximum is 50 miles. For cycling segments, the minimum is 0.5 miles and the maximum is 150 miles. Swimming segments have different rules and are measured in meters.

If you try to create a segment that is too short or too long, Strava will reject it and ask you to adjust the markers. Keep this in mind when you are drawing your start and end points — a segment that is too small will not capture meaningful data, and one that is too large will be harder for other athletes to complete.

Editing or deleting a segment you created

If you need to change a segment after you create it, you can edit it. Open the segment, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Edit Segment." You can adjust the name, the start and end points, or the sport type. Tap "Save" when you are done.

To delete a segment, open it, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Delete Segment." Strava will ask you to confirm. Once deleted, the segment is gone and no new efforts will be recorded on it, though past efforts will remain in athletes' activity histories.

Keep in mind that if your segment has become popular and many athletes have recorded times on it, deleting it may frustrate other users. Edit it only if the route is wrong or the name is misleading.

Why a segment might be rejected

Strava rejects segments for a few common reasons. The most frequent is that a segment already exists in the same location with a very similar route. Before you create a segment, search the area on the Explore page to see if one already exists nearby.

Segments that run through private property, across dangerous terrain, or along routes that are not meant for the sport you selected may also be rejected. For example, a cycling segment that cuts through a hiking-only trail will not be approved. Segments that are named poorly, contain profanity, or are clearly spam will be removed as well.

If your segment is rejected, Strava usually sends a notification explaining why. You can then adjust the route, change the name, or delete it and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a Strava subscriber to create a segment?

No. Creating a segment is free and available to all Strava users, whether you have a free account or a paid subscription. However, some advanced features like segment filtering and detailed leaderboard views may require a subscription.

Can I create a segment on a route I have never recorded?

Yes, you can use the website method to draw a segment on any route, even if you have not recorded it yourself. However, segments work best when they follow routes that other athletes actually use, so creating a segment on a path nobody travels will not generate any efforts.

What if someone else creates a segment on the same route as mine?

Strava will usually merge very similar segments or flag one as a duplicate. If two segments overlap significantly, Strava may combine them into a single leaderboard. You can also report a duplicate segment to Strava support if you believe it should be removed.

Can I see how many people have recorded efforts on my segment?

Yes. Open your segment and look at the leaderboard. The number of efforts shown tells you how many times athletes have recorded that segment. You can also see the total number of efforts and filter by time period to see recent activity.

What if I make a mistake when drawing the segment?

You can edit the segment after you create it. Open the segment, tap the menu, select "Edit Segment," and adjust the start and end points. Save your changes and Strava will update the segment for all future efforts.