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What length arrow should I shoot?

Author

James Williams

Published May 02, 2026

The best safety practice is to make sure your arrows sit at least 1" beyond your arrow rest when the bow is at full draw. A little bit of extra arrow length gives the arrows an important margin of safety. A little too long is okay. A little too short is not.

Similarly one may ask, are short or longer arrows better?

Shorter arrows are lighter and can generally be made to be stiffer than long arrows. A light arrow will fly further and faster than a heavier arrow. An arrow flexes as it flies through the air and a shorter and stiffer arrow will flex less and this also helps with additional speed and flight distance.

Secondly, should my arrow length be the same as my draw length? Your arrow length should be longer than your draw length to allow the arrow to clear the bow or arrow rest and more importantly not to come off your rest if you over draw slightly as this could be dangerous. So, if your draw is 28 inches your arrows should be over 28 inches.

Similarly, it is asked, what is the average arrow length?

Arrow sizes vary greatly across cultures, ranging from eighteen inches to six feet (45 cm to 150 cm). However, most modern arrows are 75 cm (30 in) to 96 cm (38 in) in length.

What arrow spine should I shoot?

Adding weight to the front of the arrow weakens its spine. That's why Gold Tip recommends a 400 spine for a 27-inch arrow with a 100-grain point shot from a 60-pound bow, but also recommends a 340-spine arrow if its length and draw weight stay the same, but its point weighs 150 grains.

Related Question Answers

How long should arrows be for a 30 inch draw?

How to: Select the perfect arrow
Bow Arrow length
Draw weight lb. 25" 30"
15-20 700 600
20-25 700 500
25-30 700 500

How long should arrows be for 29 Draw?

How long should my arrow be for a 29″ draw? Based on our experience, if you are using a 29″ draw with compound bows, the arrow length would be 27.5″ (29″ – 1.5″). This allows the arrow to comfortably fit on the arrow rest, but make sure your riser measurement matches up before buying a bulk amount of arrow.

Can my arrows be too long?

The longer the arrow, the weaker the spine. So to answer your question, yes an arrow can sometimes be too long. The spine cannot be weaken by the arrow being too long - the spine is based on the deflection of a 1.98 weight hung from the middle when suspended 28" between two points.

Are shorter arrows more accurate?

If you're consistent on draw length, arrow length matters little except for precision shooting. But, arrow length affects dynamic spine, so if your arrows are the same spine, but different lengths then they aren't actually the same spine. As long as they're all the same, not really.

Will different length arrows fly different?

The shorter arrow will be lighter and therefore faster off the bow. The longer heavier arrow will retain its velocity better than the lighter arrow. The shorter, faster arrow will have more drag therefore reducing penetration.

How do I know what size arrows to get for my bow?

You simple take your draw length and add 0.5″ up to a maximum 1″ to determine appropriate arrow length. So if your draw length is 28″, you should get arrows with a maximum length of 29″. What this will do is give you an arrow that will be just long enough to clear the front-most part of the arrow shelf.

What length arrow do I need for 27 inch draw?

The arrow must be 29" in length and supported by two points, which are 28" apart. The number of inches the arrow deflects or bends due to the weight, is the spine size or measurement of an arrow. DYNAMIC spine describes the way an arrow reacts from the stored energy of a bow as it is shot.

Does the length of an arrow matter?

The length of your arrow is a factor in determining the proper stiffness, or spine, for your perfect arrow. The longer your arrow is, the more limber it will act when shot. The shorter your arrow is, the more stiff it will act when shot.

What should my draw length be?

To measure your draw length, stand with your back to a wall stretching your arms out against the wall. Measure the distance from the end of your middle finger to the end of your other middle finger, basically the length of both arms, hands and chest. This measurement, minus 15 then divided by 2, is your draw length.

How do I know my draw weight?

The standard for determining their draw weight is taken at 28 inches of draw length. The draw weight is marked on the bow's lower limb with the pound sign (#),such as 35# @ 28â€. That translates to 35 pounds of draw weight at a 28-inch draw length.

How do you know if your draw length is too short?

If you pull the string back as far as it'll go and you can't reach your head, then it's way too short. If you pull the string back and it goes behind your jaw, it's way to long. You usually want the string to be around the corner of your mouth area.

How many grain broadhead should I shoot?

For big game hunting, find an arrow with between 8.5 and 10.5 grains per inch with a minimum of a 400 spine. This will give your broadhead more than enough weight pushing it to drive it deep into your target.

How long should arrows be for a recurve bow?

What Arrow Length To Get? Once you've determined your draw length, simply add 1 to 2 inches to that, and this will be your ideal arrow length. So if your draw length is 28″, you should be using arrows that are between 29 and 30 inches long.

How long should my arrows be for a 28 inch draw?

If you're a 28-inch draw length and want an arrow that ends at the front of the riser, your arrow length would be around 27 inches. However, your arrow length can be longer if you need to weaken the spine of your arrow. For safety reasons, your arrows shouldn't be cut too short.

What is the proper draw length for a compound bow?

DRAW LENGTH

First, spread your arms outward from your side to form a “T†with your palms facing forward. Next, have a friend measure your wingspan from the tips of your middle fingers. Divide this number by 2.5 and you should be relatively close to your actual draw length.

What is dry fire in archery?

About Dry-Firing Bows Everything You Should Know About Dry-Firing Bows. The term “dry-fire†doesn't mean a fire sparked in dry conditions, but it's definitely a hot experience and something to avoid in archery. It means shooting a bow without an arrow nocked on the bowstring. It can damage the bow and injure the archer

What might happen if an arrow is too short for the bow?

Bending, known as “archer's paradox,†occurs when an arrow is released from the bow. Spine strength must be matched to bow draw weight. If your arrows are too lightly or heavily spined for your bow, the “archer's paradox†movements will be extreme, resulting in poor arrow flight and loss of accuracy.

What is the term for an arrow's stiffness?

Every arrow shaft has a degree of stiffness called spine, which is its resistance to bending. Bending, known as “archer's paradox,†occurs when an arrow is released from the bow.

What game would you hunt with a blunt?

Blunts work great for game like squirrels, grouse and rabbits. For anything bigger, a point with blades (broadhead) is a better choice. Pheasants and jackrabbits are examples of small-game animals that require broadheads for ethical kills.

How do I choose arrows for my recurve bow?

When choosing arrows for a recurve bow, the weight is related to the poundage of your bow. Lighter bows tend to work best with lighter arrows, and heavier bows work best with heavier arrows.

How do I choose the right arrow?

When selecting the correct arrow length it is recommended you have an arrow at least one (1) inch longer than your draw length. The reason for this is that as the point is always in front of the bow, you don't want it to get caught up on the shelf or inadvertently draw a sharp broadhead onto your hand.

What happens if arrow spine is too stiff?

If the arrow's spine is too weak or too stiff, the arrow will not correct itself as soon as it should while in flight. If that arrow is weak and continues to flex (has a low spine rating), it's going to veer off target. While an arrow will necessarily twist and turn in flight, what you don't want it to do is wobble.

What is a 340 spine arrow?

A smaller number means that the arrow has a stiffer spine. For example, 3-60/340 means three wraps of carbon-fiber with an aluminum core tube diameter of 60 and a spine stiffness rating of 340. Carbon arrows also are labeled to indicate their spine deflection. The most common spine sizes range from 260 to 500.

What does 400 spine arrow mean?

This arrow spine is measured in numbers. The lower the numbers, the thicker the arrow while the higher the number, the easier the shaft to bend. For example, an arrow with spine number 400 is stiffer than a 600 spine arrow.

What size carbon arrows do I need?

As draw weight increases, so should arrow rigidity (spine). Also, we strongly recommend that you use an arrow with at least 5 grains of weight per pound or draw weight (if you are shooting a 60 lb. bow, you should use and arrow of not less than 300 grains). This includes your field point or broadhead.

How do I choose arrow weight?

Weight of the point: The weight of your point changes how much the arrow flexes. The heavier the point the more it will flex. Additionally, for the safety of your bow, the arrow needs to have enough weight. Otherwise, you could damage your bow.

What is a 500 spine arrow?

The spine rating of an arrow is simply a measurement of its stiffness. The same Easton arrow comes in a variety of stiffness: the lower the number, the stiffer the arrow. For example, a 330 arrow is stiffer than a 500 spine arrow. So, a 500 arrow bends . 5-inches when the weight is applied.

What is a kisser button on a bow?

A Kisser Button is a small plastic disc, attached to the bowstring which provides another point of reference for anchoring. The Full Draw Kisser Button Slotted has a slit in the side of the button, allowing you to install the kisser by crimping or serving it on without removing the bowstring from the bow.