How to Determine the Length to Make a Bowstring

Bowstrings wear down like anything that experiences use, particularly under tension. As a result, a bow owners needs to know how to properly replace a bowstring with the correct measurement. Not every bowstring matches every bow available out there. A quick method would be to just measure the length of the last bowstring used. However, this is far from accurate. Additionally, an inaccurate bowstring length will negatively affect power and performance.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Tailor's measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unhook or untie the old bowstring from the bow itself. Let the old string sit for three hours to unstretch. Tie or loop one end around a fixed point, such as a nail in a board or work table. Stretch out the old string under tension so all slack is removed. Measure this distance with a measuring tape.

    • 2

      Write the measurement down on a notepad with a pen. Compare your dimension with the length measurement printed on the inside of your bow, if one exists, with an AMO label next to it. Write that measurement down as well.

    • 3

      Use a tailor’s measuring tape to determine the inside length of the bow, running the tape from the nock groove on the top of the bow to the nock groove on the bottom. Write this measurement down as well.

    • 4

      Subtract 3 inches from your measurements and determine the mathematical results. Note the variance between the three methods. Use the average of the results as the metric by which to create a bow string and how long it should be for your bow.