How do love calculators work? FLAMES and TRUE LOVE explained
Love calculators are a fun tradition, from scribbled school notebooks to websites. Here’s exactly how the classic methods work.
By the NamesCombiner team · Published · Updated · 5 min read
Online love calculators
Most online love calculators turn the two names into a number using a formula — often a hash of the letters — and map it to a percentage. Good ones are deterministic: the same names always give the same score. None of them can measure real compatibility.
The TRUE LOVE method
- Write both full names together.
- Count how many times the letters T, R, U and E appear in total.
- Count how many times L, O, V and E appear.
- Put the two numbers side by side: 3 and 5 make 35%.
The FLAMES game
- Write both names and cross out every letter they share (one for one).
- Count the remaining letters.
- Count around F-L-A-M-E-S using that number, crossing out the letter you land on, until one remains.
- F = Friends, L = Lovers, A = Affectionate, M = Marriage, E = Enemies, S = Siblings.
Want something more meaningful?
Our couple compatibility test asks 12 questions about money, lifestyle, communication and the future. It still isn’t science — but it starts better conversations than a letter count.
Try all three methods with your names.
Open the love calculator