Home Arrow Chart
Arrow Chart & Size Selection Guide
Compare arrow length, spine, diameter, weight, and material before choosing a shaft.
Use this guide for hunting, target, recurve, compound, and traditional archery, then confirm the exact shaft with the manufacturer’s current selector.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026. Current examples were cross-checked against manufacturer product pages and selection resources.
🎯 Quick arrow selection
What does “arrow size” mean? → Length, spine, diameter, and weight
Hunting? → Start with spine, finished weight, and broadhead compatibility
Target archery? → Match the shaft to discipline and rules
Traditional bow? → Carbon or wood selection
Don’t know your spine? → Use the Arrow Spine Calculator
What does arrow size mean?
“Arrow size” is not one number. Depending on the manufacturer and shaft type, it can refer to length, spine, diameter, or weight. Check all four before buying components or cutting shafts.
| Specification | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Arrow length | Cut shaft length, normally measured from the nock throat to the shaft end under the shaft maker’s convention. | Affects safe clearance, dynamic spine, and finished mass. Use the Arrow Length Calculator as a planning tool, then verify at full draw. |
| Spine | Shaft stiffness. On common carbon shafts, a lower number such as 300 is stiffer than 400 or 500. | Must match draw weight, arrow length, point mass, and bow setup. See the Arrow Spine Chart. |
| Diameter | Inside and outside shaft diameter. Product-family labels such as 4MM, 5MM, or 6.5MM are manufacturer-specific size families. | Controls component fit and changes the shaft’s aerodynamic profile. Verify the exact ID/OD for the chosen spine. |
| Weight | Shaft GPI plus every installed component in the finished arrow. | Affects speed, trajectory, energy, momentum, noise, and bow-manufacturer minimum-arrow requirements. Use the Arrow Weight Calculator. |
Do not treat a carbon spine number, an aluminum four-digit size code, a diameter label, and finished arrow weight as interchangeable “sizes.” They describe different properties.
Arrow material comparison: carbon vs aluminum vs wood
Material alone does not determine speed, durability, or accuracy. Those also depend on spine, finished mass, shaft design, tolerances, components, and the bow. Use the table as a material-level comparison rather than a ranking.
| Feature | Carbon | Aluminum | Carbon-aluminum | Wood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | Varies widely by model and spine | Varies by alloy size and wall thickness | Varies by construction and spine | Varies by species, diameter, and individual shaft |
| Damage behavior | Can crack or splinter after hard impact; inspect before reuse | Can bend or dent permanently | Inspect both carbon and alloy structure after impact | Can split, bend, or warp; inspect frequently |
| Weather / care | Good moisture resistance | Generally weather-resistant; inspect finish and damage | Good moisture resistance with normal inspection | Needs sealing and moisture-aware storage |
| Common uses | Hunting, 3D, target, traditional-style carbon | Indoor target, training, traditional and hunting options | High-level target / field and specialized hunting shafts | Traditional and historical archery |
| Selection priority | Correct spine, safe length, component fit, finished weight, and manufacturer guidance matter more than material alone. | |||
Ready to compare current options? Shop carbon arrows on Amazon or multiple arrow types at Optics Planet.
Arrow diameter: 4MM vs 5MM vs standard-diameter shafts
Diameter-family names are not universal across every brand. In Easton’s current system, 4MM components fit a nominal 0.166-inch ID, 5MM shafts use a nominal 0.204-inch ID, and its 6.5MM standard-diameter Carbon Legacy uses a 0.246-inch ID. Gold Tip also sells current 0.166, 0.204, and 0.246 ID families. Always verify the exact shaft ID and OD before ordering inserts, collars, or points.
| Example size family | Nominal inside diameter | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| 4MM / micro | about 0.166" | Very small profile; typically uses size-specific insert or half-out systems. |
| 5MM / small diameter | about 0.204" | Common hunting size with broad component support. |
| Standard diameter | about 0.246" in common current families | Broad component availability; outside diameter still varies by model and spine. |
What changes when diameter changes?
- Aerodynamics: a smaller outside diameter can reduce cross-sectional area and wind drift, but the real effect also depends on arrow mass, speed, drag, and conditions.
- Component fit: inserts, outserts, collars, nocks, and points must match the exact shaft family and often the individual spine’s outside diameter.
- Durability: do not assume diameter alone makes a shaft stronger or weaker. Construction, wall design, front-end components, and impact history all matter.
- Tuning: diameter does not correct an incorrect spine or poor bow tune. Select spine and length first, then choose a diameter that fits the intended use and component system.
For hunting-focused diameter comparisons, see the Best Hunting Arrows selector.
How to choose hunting arrows
Start with the specifications your bow and shaft maker require
- Correct spine: use the shaft manufacturer’s selector with actual draw weight, arrow length, and front-component mass.
- Safe finished mass: meet the minimum arrow-mass requirement in the manual for your exact bow before optimizing speed or trajectory.
- Broadhead and component fit: confirm insert/outsert compatibility, broadhead clearance, and final arrow length.
- FOC and tune: Easton currently gives 10–15% FOC as a hunting reference range, but FOC is one tuning variable rather than a stand-alone penetration score.
- Condition: inspect shafts and components after hard impacts and retire damaged arrows.
Current hunting shaft examples
| Current model | Diameter / construction | Current spine range | Manufacturer-published note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easton 4MM FMJ Match Grade | 4MM aluminum-carbon | 250–400 | ±.001" straightness; micro-diameter FMJ construction |
| Easton 5MM FMJ Max | 5MM aluminum-carbon | 200–400 | Current lighter-weight FMJ platform |
| Gold Tip Hunter XT | 0.246" ID carbon | 250–500 | ±.003" straightness; mid-weight hunting platform |
| Black Eagle Rampage | 0.204" ID carbon | 150–400 | Available in ±.001" and ±.003" straightness grades |
Model availability, components, GPI, and pricing change. Verify the exact spine and current specification on the manufacturer’s product page before ordering.
Do not choose hunting arrow weight by species alone
Species matters, but there is no single finished-arrow weight or spine that fits every deer, elk, bear, or moose setup. Bow draw weight, arrow length, broadhead system, legal requirements, shot distance, tune, and the shaft maker’s spine chart all matter. Use the Best Hunting Arrows page for the site’s species-oriented comparison, then verify the final build with the Arrow Weight Calculator and Arrow FOC Calculator.
Shop hunting arrows at Centerpoint Archery or hunting arrows on Amazon.
How to choose arrows for target archery
Target-arrow choice depends on bow type, distance, class rules, legal shaft diameter, and the tune required by the archer. Do not select a shaft only because it is labeled “target.”
- Outdoor target: small-diameter, wind-efficient shafts such as Easton X10 or A/C/E are current high-level examples for recurve and field use.
- Indoor target: larger-diameter aluminum shafts such as Easton X7 Eclipse can be useful where the competition rules allow the chosen diameter.
- Beginning target archery: current entry-level carbon lines such as Easton Inspiré cover a wide range of lighter spines.
- 3D / compound: select to the class rules, required spine, trajectory preference, and legal diameter rather than assuming one material is always fastest or best.
Current target shaft examples
| Current model | Construction | Useful context |
|---|---|---|
| Easton X10 | Barreled aluminum-carbon | Current elite outdoor target shaft; Easton states X10 has been used to win every Olympic title since 1996. |
| Easton A/C/E | Barreled aluminum-carbon | Current light, small-diameter target / field option in a broad spine range. |
| Easton X7 Eclipse | 7178-T9 aluminum | Current ±.001" aluminum target shaft with multiple World Archery-compliant sizes. |
| Easton Inspiré | Carbon | Current beginning-archer target shaft with a very broad range of lighter spines. |
Easton A/C/C appears in older charts and archives but is currently listed by Easton as discontinued, so it is not treated here as a current recommendation.
Shop target arrows at Optics Planet.
Traditional archery arrows: carbon or wood
Traditional archers can use wood or carbon, but the correct shaft still depends on actual bow weight at the archer’s draw length, shaft length, point mass, center-cut geometry, and release style.
Current carbon examples for a traditional look
| Current model | Construction / diameter | Current spine range |
|---|---|---|
| Easton Carbon Legacy | 0.246" ID carbon, wood-grain finish | 340–700 |
| Easton Carbon Legacy 5MM Fred Eichler Edition | 5MM carbon, wood-grain finish | 340–700 |
| Gold Tip Traditional XT | 0.246" ID carbon, wood-grain finish | 340–600 |
| Gold Tip Traditional Classic XT | 0.204" ID carbon with reinforced front components | 340–600 |
How wood-arrow spine differs
Wood shafts are commonly sold by a static spine weight range rather than the three- or four-digit deflection labels used on many carbon target and hunting shafts. Do not convert a wood spine label directly into a carbon number. Wood-shaft selection also changes with shaft length, point weight, bow design, and whether the bow is center-cut.
Because those variables matter, this page no longer uses a universal wood-spine conversion table or a rule such as “always buy weaker than draw weight.” Use the wood-shaft supplier’s chart for the exact shaft material and diameter, then confirm the finished arrow through tuning.
Shop traditional carbon arrows at Centerpoint or wood arrows at Optics Planet.
Arrow selection by bow type
Compound bows
Start with the manufacturer spine chart using actual peak draw weight, final arrow length, and total point/insert mass. Then choose finished mass and diameter for the intended use while staying above the bow maker’s minimum arrow-mass requirement.
Recurve and barebow
Use actual draw weight at the archer’s draw length, not just the limb label. Shaft length, point mass, plunger / center-cut geometry, and finger release all affect the dynamic result. Target shooters should also account for the rules of their discipline.
Traditional longbows and recurves
Avoid a universal “draw length + 2–3 inches” rule. Establish a safe cut length on the actual bow, then choose wood or carbon spine using the shaft maker’s chart and verify with tuning. See the Arrow Length Calculator for the site’s full-draw verification process.
Current arrow families to compare
Product lines change, so use these as current examples rather than a permanent list. The manufacturer selector should be the final check for spine and component fit.
- Easton: X10, A/C/E, X7 Eclipse and Inspiré for target; 4MM / 5MM hunting families and Carbon Legacy for traditional-style carbon.
- Gold Tip: Hunter XT for general hunting, Pierce for micro-diameter carbon, and Traditional XT / Traditional Classic XT for traditional-style setups.
- Black Eagle: Rampage is a current 0.204" ID hunting family offered from 150 through 400 spine.
Older models may still appear in retailer inventory or manufacturer archives. That does not mean they remain current-production recommendations.
Complete arrow selection process
📏 Step 1: Establish safe length
Use the Arrow Length Calculator for planning, then verify the actual shaft on the bow at full draw before cutting.
🎯 Step 2: Select spine
Use the Arrow Spine Calculator and the shaft manufacturer’s current chart with draw weight, shaft length, and front-component mass.
↔️ Step 3: Choose diameter and material
Choose the component system, aerodynamic profile, target rules, and material that fit the intended use. Verify the exact ID and OD for the chosen spine.
⚖️ Step 4: Build finished weight and balance
Use the Arrow Weight Calculator and Arrow FOC Calculator, then confirm the completed arrow through tuning and range testing.
How many arrows should I buy?
Buy enough to maintain a matched set and replace damaged or lost arrows, but confirm spine, length, components, and tune before committing to a large quantity. For a new setup, testing a smaller matched set first can prevent duplicating the wrong specification across a full dozen.
What does a higher price usually buy?
Premium shaft lines often advertise tighter straightness and weight tolerances, more complex construction, or premium component systems. Those specifications can matter in demanding competition or precision setups, but a higher price does not compensate for the wrong spine, unsafe length, poor component fit, or an untuned bow.
Arrow selection FAQs
What does arrow size mean?
Arrow size can mean length, spine, diameter, or finished weight. Length controls safe fit and affects dynamic spine; spine describes stiffness; diameter controls component fit and aerodynamic profile; and finished weight combines shaft GPI with every installed component.
How do I know what spine arrow I need?
Use actual bow draw weight, final arrow length, and point/insert mass with the current shaft manufacturer’s selector. On common carbon arrows, a lower spine number such as 300 is stiffer than 400 or 500. Use our Arrow Spine Calculator as a starting point and confirm with the shaft maker.
What do 4MM, 5MM, and standard arrow diameters mean?
They are product-family diameter labels, not spine or arrow weight. In Easton’s current system, 4MM components correspond to about 0.166-inch ID, 5MM to about 0.204-inch ID, and its 6.5MM standard-diameter Carbon Legacy uses a 0.246-inch ID. Other brands use their own naming, so verify exact ID and OD for the chosen shaft and spine.
What arrows should I buy for hunting?
Start with correct spine, safe finished mass for the exact bow, broadhead and component compatibility, and a shaft construction suited to your use. Current examples include Easton 4MM/5MM hunting families, Gold Tip Hunter XT, and Black Eagle Rampage. Do not choose hunting arrow weight by species alone; verify the complete build and tune.
Should I buy carbon or aluminum arrows for target archery?
Either can work. Outdoor target archers often use small-diameter carbon or aluminum-carbon shafts such as Easton X10 or A/C/E, while indoor archers may choose aluminum shafts such as X7 Eclipse where class rules allow the diameter. Correct spine and discipline rules matter more than material alone.
Can I use hunting arrows for target shooting?
Yes, provided the arrow is safely spined for the bow and the target is rated for the arrow and point being used. A hunting build may have different mass, diameter, fletching, or point configuration from a competition target setup, so trajectory and sight marks can differ.
What arrows do Olympic recurve archers use?
Easton X10 and A/C/E are current high-level outdoor target examples, and Easton states that X10 has been used to win every Olympic title since 1996. The correct shaft size still depends on the archer’s measured setup and current selector chart.
Are discontinued arrows bad choices?
Not necessarily, but discontinued shafts can become harder to match for replacement shafts, points, nocks, inserts, or bushings. If buying into a new setup, a current-production family usually makes long-term component support easier.