How to Measure for a Compound Bow

Compound bows must fit the archer in draw length and draw weight for speed and accuracy in hunting or competition shooting. A draw length that is too long will not allow your release hand to anchor against your cheek and can result in injuries to your face. A draw length that is too short does not allow you to view the target well through the peep. Your ideal bow draw weight allows you to pull the arrow and string back in a smooth motion without wavering and throwing your shot off target. Measuring your wingspan and finding your comfortable draw weight results in a bow that fits you.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stand naturally with your weight distributed evenly on both feet. Stretch both arms out horizontally to your sides with your palms facing forward.

    • 2

      Place a measuring tape on the tip of your middle finger and measure to the tip of your other hand. An assistant can stretch the measuring tape to measure your wingspan.

    • 3

      Divide the wingspan measurement by 2.5 and round the number to the nearest whole number for your bow draw length. For example, if your wingspan is 71.5 inches wide, divide 71.5 by 2.5 to obtain 28.6 inches. Round this number up to the nearest whole number of 29 inches for your bow draw length.

    • 4

      Hold a bow in your draw length. If you are a woman, start with a 30 to 40-pound bow, and if you are an athletic woman, start with a 40 to 50-pound bow. Men should start with a 50 to 60-pound bow, and muscular men with a 60 to 70-pound bow.

    • 5

      Pull the bow string back past the breaking point where the bow becomes easier to draw. Stand in shooting stance with the drawn string next to your cheek. Shooting stance is when you have your weight evenly distributed on both feet and your bow directly in front of you without leaning to either side, frontward or backward. If you can hold the string in this position for 15 to 30 seconds without releasing it or wavering, then this is the correct draw weight for you.