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Free draw length calculator for recurve, compound, and adaptive archery. Enter arm span (or height estimate) to get draw length, minimum bow length, and arrow length in inches or cm — plus beginner-to-advanced draw-weight guidance. Next step: tune arrow spine with our arrow spine calculator.
Last updated: May 24, 2026
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Stand with arms outstretched, measure fingertip to fingertip
Your Draw Length
28.0"
Method Accuracy:
Most Accurate
Recommended Bow Length
66.0"
Arrow Length
29.5"
Beginner Recommendation:
Begin with 30-35 lb draw weight. Focus on consistent anchor point and follow-through.
Intermediate Recommendation:
Advance to 45-55 lb draw weight. Focus on precision shooting and competition techniques.
Advanced Recommendation:
Employ 60-75 lb draw weight. Perfect competition form and equipment tuning.
Measurement Tips:
Answers: what is my draw length, what bow length do I need, and how long should my arrows be — from a single body measurement.
Estimated full-draw distance from arm span ÷ 2.5 or (span − 15) ÷ 2 — the core sizing number for any bow type.
Practical minimum AMO-style bow length to reduce pinch and support your draw — not the only valid size, but a safe floor.
Safe arrow cutoff plus beginner/intermediate/advanced draw-weight bands keyed to your calculated draw length.
Default: 70" arm span, standard method (÷ 2.5) → draw 28.0", bow 66.0", arrow 29.5".
Draw Length
28.0"
Bow Length (min.)
66.0"
Arrow Length
29.5"
| Method | Formula | At 70" span | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard — arm span ÷ 2.5 | span ÷ 2.5 | 28.0" | Most common retail and coaching reference |
| Alternative — (arm span − 15) ÷ 2 | (span − 15) ÷ 2 | 27.5" | Often within 0.5" of standard; some pro shops prefer it |
| Height estimate — height ÷ 2.5 | height ÷ 2.5 (if span ≈ height) | 28.0" | Use only when arm span cannot be measured |
| Arm span | Draw length | Bow (min.) | Arrow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60" | 24.0" | 58.0" | 25.5" |
| 64" | 25.6" | 61.2" | 27.1" |
| 68" | 27.2" | 64.4" | 28.7" |
| 70" | 28.0" | 66.0" | 29.5" |
| 72" | 28.8" | 67.6" | 30.3" |
| 74" | 29.6" | 69.2" | 31.1" |
Draw length is the distance you pull the bowstring at full draw — measured from the nocking point to the pivot point of the grip plus 1.75" in official ATA terms. Body-based estimates get you close before pro-shop confirmation.
Draw (standard): arm span ÷ 2.5Draw (alternative): (arm span − 15) ÷ 2Bow length (min.): (draw × 2) + 10 inchesArrow length: draw + 1.5 inchesExample: 70 ÷ 2.5 = 28" draw → bow (28×2)+10 = 66" → arrow 28+1.5 = 29.5".
Draw 28.0", bow 66.0", arrow 29.5". Intermediate guidance: Advance to 45-55 lb draw weight. Focus on precision shooting and competition techniques.
Draw 27.5", bow 65.0", arrow 29.0" — 0.5" shorter than standard; compare both at a pro shop before buying cams.
Draw 24.0", bow 58.0", arrow 25.5". Beginner note: Consider a youth bow with 20-25 lb draw weight. Focus on proper form and technique development.
72" span: draw 28.8", bow 67.6".
178 cm entered as span: 71.2 cm draw (28.0" equivalent) — useful for metric tape measures at the range.
Share with archery clubs, adaptive sports programs, and anyone sizing their first bow.
Suggested hashtags: #Archery #DrawLength #BowHunting #AdaptiveSports #ArcheryTips