Question 1

How do I measure my draw length?

Accepted Answer

Measure your wingspan, fingertip to fingertip with your arms straight out at shoulder height and palms forward, and divide it by 2.5. Then confirm it on a bow: at full draw the string should touch the tip of your nose and the corner of your mouth, with the bow arm straight but not locked.

Question 2

What is my draw length if I'm 6 feet tall?

Accepted Answer

About 29 inches: 72 inches divided by 2.5 is 28.8. Height only stands in for wingspan, so if your arms are long or short for your height, measure the wingspan instead.

Question 3

What length arrow do I need for a 29-inch draw?

Accepted Answer

29 to 30 inches, measured from the bottom of the nock groove to the end of the shaft. The exact cut depends on where your rest sits: the shaft should end about an inch in front of the rest at full draw.

Question 4

Is arrow length the same as draw length?

Accepted Answer

No. Draw length is measured to the grip's pivot point plus 1-3/4 inches; arrow length is the shaft from the nock groove to its end. On most compounds the two come out close, which is why the arrow is usually cut to the draw length or up to an inch longer.

Question 5

What if I'm between two draw lengths?

Accepted Answer

Try both settings on a bow. Many hunters pick the shorter one: it is more forgiving in heavy clothing and easier to hold steady, and it costs about 10 fps per inch.

Question 6

Does a release or D-loop change my draw length?

Accepted Answer

Not the bow's setting, but they move your hand farther back from the string, so the draw you shoot feels longer. Fit the release and D-loop you will hunt with before you settle on a setting.

Question 7

How do I know if my draw length is too long?

Accepted Answer

The bow arm locks straight or bends the wrong way, the string hits your forearm, and you lean back or stretch your neck to reach the anchor. Too short shows the opposite way: a bent bow arm, a cramped draw and an anchor in front of the corner of your mouth.

Wingspan (in)	Estimate	Setting
58	23.2 in	23 in
60	24 in	24 in
62	24.8 in	25 in
64	25.6 in	25.5 in
66	26.4 in	26.5 in
68	27.2 in	27 in
70	28 in	28 in
72	28.8 in	29 in
74	29.6 in	29.5 in
76	30.4 in	30.5 in
78	31.2 in	31 in
80	32 in	32 in
82	32.8 in	33 in

Draw length	Arrow length	In cm
24 in	24–25 in	61–64 cm
25 in	25–26 in	64–66 cm
26 in	26–27 in	66–69 cm
26.5 in	26.5–27.5 in	67–70 cm
27 in	27–28 in	69–71 cm
27.5 in	27.5–28.5 in	70–72 cm
28 in	28–29 in	71–74 cm
28.5 in	28.5–29.5 in	72–75 cm
29 in	29–30 in	74–76 cm
29.5 in	29.5–30.5 in	75–77 cm
30 in	30–31 in	76–79 cm
30.5 in	30.5–31.5 in	77–80 cm
31 in	31–32 in	79–81 cm
32 in	32–33 in	81–84 cm

Draw length by wingspan

Arrow length by draw length