Bow Size Calculator
Measure your arm span, enter your body weight and pick the bow type. The calculator gives your draw length, the recurve bow length that suits it, a sensible starting draw weight and the arrow length.
- Draw length
- Bow length
- Draw weight
Measure your arm span with your back against a wall and arms straight out.
Draw length is about your arm span divided by 2.5. Stand with arms out and measure fingertip to fingertip. A 70 in span gives a 28 in draw, which suits a 66 to 68 in recurve bow and 29 in arrows. Most adult beginners start on a recurve between 20 and 30 lb.
Bow size chart
Recurve bows. Search for a draw.
| Arm span (in) | Draw (in) | Bow length (in) | Arrow (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 20 | 54 | 21 |
| 55 | 22 | 58 | 23 |
| 60 | 24 | 62 | 25 |
| 63 | 25.2 | 64 to 66 | 26 |
| 65 | 26 | 64 to 66 | 27 |
| 68 | 27.2 | 66 to 68 | 28 |
| 70 | 28 | 66 to 68 | 29 |
| 73 | 29.2 | 68 to 70 | 30 |
| 76 | 30.4 | 70 to 72 | 31 |
Arrows about 1 in longer than the draw.
Arm span and draw
Recurve bow. Slide the arm span.
The bow is drawn at full draw with the draw length marked.
How to size a bow
Span to bow. Step through it.
Measure span
Fingertip to fingertip.
Have a coach check your draw at a range. Form changes the true draw length a little.
Recurve, longbow or compound
Bow types. Compare them.
Olympic style.
Traditional.
Cams.
Compound bows are set to an exact draw length, so measuring matters even more.
Before you shoot
Archery checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Never dry fire a bow. Releasing without an arrow can break it.
What you get
Bow sizing. Each tile explains one result.
Length.
Length.
Starting.
Length.
Anchor.
Arrows that are too short are dangerous. Always use arrows at least 1 in longer than your draw.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
How do I find my draw length?
Measure your arm span in inches and divide by two point five.
What length bow do I need?
For a twenty-eight inch draw, a sixty-six to sixty-eight inch recurve.
What draw weight should a beginner use?
About twenty to thirty pounds on a recurve for most adults.
How long should my arrows be?
About an inch longer than your draw length.
Does draw weight change with draw length?
Yes, on recurves. A longer draw pulls more weight than the label says.
What draw weight for a compound bow?
Adults often start around forty to fifty-five pounds.
Can children use the same chart?
Yes, but with lighter draw weights, often ten to fifteen pounds.
Shoot the right bow
Match the bow to your draw and start with a light weight, and your form and accuracy grow fast.
More size calculators
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