How to measure draw length and draw weight for an archery bow?

measure draw length and draw weight

In this article, you will learn how to measure draw length and draw weight

Firstly, archery bow draw length is important because that will determine your proper archery bow draw weight. Draw length is the distance from the nock point to the grip throat plus 1 ¾ inch when fully drawn. Furthermore, this length will be used to determine about the same length of arrow needed.

Secondly, the reason to get the draw length correct is that most archery bows’ draw weight is always measured at a standard 28” draw length. The archery bow draw weight changes, from the standard 28”, at different draw lengths. It can add or subtract draw weight the further you move from the standard 28” draw length. So, get it right the first time. Try not to make your draw length longer than it should be, as this will affect your accuracy.

Measure draw length and draw weight

Step 1: Determine your archery bow draw length

Standing with your back to the wall and arms fully extended, have someone take your measurement from the tip of your finger on one hand to the tip of your finger on the opposite hand. Coincidentally, this might also be very close to your height. So, if you’re 69 inches tall then you’re probably very close to a 69-inch draw length. You can also measure yourself by holding the tape measure in one hand and the tip of the tape measure with the other and try your best to get it close to the tips of both fingers to measure. So basically, there are three ways to determine draw length.

Step 2: Find your starting archery bow draw weight

This step is simple. Divide your draw length by 2.5. For example, if you have an archery bow draw length of 69 inches, then your archery bow draw weight should be approximately 27.6 or 27.5. Most of the manufacturers don’t make bows to fit exactly 27.5 draw weight so you would go either above or below this number. Go up if you can pull more archery bow draw weight, so go up to a 35 lb archery bow draw weight instead.

This chart will help you to further decide on the correct draw weight for your new archery bow…

measure draw length and draw weight OutdoorGoodness.com

So, if you’re wanting to measure draw length and draw weight, and you’re an adult male and you’re new to using an archery bow, then you might choose a draw weight between 26-30 pounds or move up to a typical 35-pound archery bow draw weight. This even fits within the boundaries for an adult male with an intermediary bow.

Glossary of archery terms – Wikipedia

Other Helpful Archery Articles

ARCHERY FOR BEGINNERS: RECREATION, SPORT AND HUNTING [GUIDE]

Affiliate Disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Latest posts

  • 19 Best Places To Stay Inside Yellowstone National Park

    19 Best Places To Stay Inside Yellowstone National Park

    Overview of Where to Stay Inside Yellowstone For a good reason, Yellowstone National Park draws many visitors for a long-term stay or a brief road trip. It is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. If you’re looking for the best places to stay inside of Yellowstone, then keep reading. Several…

    Read more

  • The Ultimate Guide to Yellowstone National Park

    The Ultimate Guide to Yellowstone National Park

    Introduction To The Ultimate Guide To Yellowstone In this article we’re going to give you the ultimate guide to Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park. It was founded in 1872 and is primarily located in Wyoming but also in Idaho and Montana. Spread over an area of 3,500 square miles, the park is…

    Read more

  • Top 23 Most Famous Attractions at Yellowstone (Detailed)

    Top 23 Most Famous Attractions at Yellowstone (Detailed)

    Introduction To Famous Attractions At Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park is the very first national park in the United States of America and the single largest national park in the lower 48 states. It has a diverse ecosystem of animals and plants, and it also has unique geology and geography. One of the most…

    Read more