Arrow Drop Calculator
Calculate arrow trajectory drop at various distances.
Estimate holdover for 20, 30, 40, 50+ yard shots.
Essential for hunting and long-range accuracy.
💡 Tip: Practice at all distances. Calculators estimate - real-world conditions vary. Verify drop with actual shooting.
Example trajectory calculation
Let's calculate arrow drop for a typical hunting setup:
| Setup Details | Value |
|---|---|
| Arrow speed | 280 FPS |
| Arrow weight | 450 grains |
| Sight-in distance | 20 yards |
| Trajectory Drop | |
| At 30 yards | -3.2 inches (aim 3" high) |
| At 40 yards | -8.9 inches (aim 9" high) |
| At 50 yards | -16.8 inches (aim 17" high) |
With 20-yard sight-in, this setup hits point-of-aim at 20 yards. At 30 yards, aim at the top of the vitals. At 40 yards, aim just above the back. Beyond 40 yards, holdover becomes significant.
Understanding arrow drop and trajectory
Why arrows drop
Arrows don't fly straight - they follow a curved path called a trajectory. The moment an arrow leaves the bow, gravity begins pulling it downward. The arrow arcs upward initially (if you're aiming up slightly), reaches a peak, then drops toward the target.
Three forces affect arrow flight:
- Forward momentum: Initial speed from the bow pushes the arrow toward target
- Gravity: Constantly pulls arrow downward at 32 feet per second squared
- Air resistance (drag): Slows the arrow, especially affecting lighter/faster arrows
Understanding trajectory is critical for shots beyond 25 yards. A deer's vitals are typically 8-10 inches in diameter. At 40 yards, if you don't account for 8-9 inches of drop, you'll miss low and wound the animal.
Factors affecting arrow drop
| Factor | Effect on Drop |
|---|---|
| Arrow speed (FPS) | Faster arrows = less drop. 300 FPS drops 30% less than 250 FPS at 40 yards. |
| Arrow weight | Heavier arrows = more drop (if speed is equal). But heavier arrows often maintain speed better. |
| Distance | Drop increases exponentially. 40 yards drops 4x more than 20 yards, not 2x. |
| Wind | Crosswind causes horizontal drift. Headwind increases drop, tailwind decreases drop slightly. |
| Angle (uphill/downhill) | Steep angles reduce effective distance. A 40-yard shot at 30° angle shoots like 35 yards. |
| Altitude | Higher altitude = less air resistance = flatter trajectory (but minimal effect for most hunters). |
The arrow drop formula
Arrow drop can be estimated with physics formulas, but they're complex. A simplified approximation:
Drop (inches) ≈ (Distance² in yards) ÷ (Arrow Speed × 0.8)
Example: 40 yards with 280 FPS arrow:
Drop = (40 × 40) ÷ (280 × 0.8) = 1,600 ÷ 224 = 7.1 inches
This is relative to sight-in distance. If sighted at 20 yards, the arrow drops 7.1 inches below your 20-yard point of impact at 40 yards.
Note: This is an approximation. Real-world drop includes air resistance, arrow ballistic coefficient, and other factors. Always verify with actual shooting.
Typical arrow drop by speed and distance
Fast setup (300+ FPS)
Common for: Modern compound bows, light arrows (350-400 grains)
| Distance | Drop from 20-yard sight-in | Aim Point |
|---|---|---|
| 20 yards | 0 inches | Center of target |
| 30 yards | -2.5 inches | Slightly high (top 1/3 of vitals) |
| 40 yards | -6 to -8 inches | Top of vitals or just above back |
| 50 yards | -12 to -15 inches | 12-15 inches above desired impact |
| 60 yards | -20 to -24 inches | Significant holdover required |
Medium setup (270-290 FPS)
Common for: Most hunting setups, 420-480 grain arrows
| Distance | Drop from 20-yard sight-in | Aim Point |
|---|---|---|
| 20 yards | 0 inches | Center of target |
| 30 yards | -3 to -4 inches | Top 1/3 of vitals |
| 40 yards | -8 to -10 inches | Above the back on deer |
| 50 yards | -15 to -18 inches | 15-18 inches high - challenging shot |
| 60 yards | -24 to -28 inches | Extreme holdover - not recommended for hunting |
Heavy setup (250-270 FPS)
Common for: Traditional bows, very heavy arrows (500+ grains), elk setups
| Distance | Drop from 20-yard sight-in | Aim Point |
|---|---|---|
| 20 yards | 0 inches | Center of target |
| 30 yards | -4 to -5 inches | High on vitals |
| 40 yards | -10 to -14 inches | Well above the back - difficult shot |
| 50 yards | -18 to -24 inches | Extreme holdover - impractical for hunting |
| 60 yards | -28 to -36 inches | Not recommended - too much drop |
Note: These are approximations. Your specific setup may vary ±2-3 inches. Always practice at actual distances to verify holdover.
Choosing sight-in distance
20-yard sight-in (most common for hunting)
Best for: Bowhunting deer/elk, shots 15-40 yards
Pros:
- Point-of-aim accuracy from 15-25 yards (most hunting shots occur here)
- Predictable holdover at 30-40 yards (3-9 inches)
- Easy to practice and verify at most ranges
- Minimal wind drift compensation needed at closer distances
Trajectory with 280 FPS arrow:
- 10 yards: +1 inch high
- 20 yards: 0 (sight-in)
- 30 yards: -3 inches low
- 40 yards: -9 inches low
30-yard sight-in (target shooting)
Best for: 3D archery, competition, longer average shots
Pros:
- Flatter trajectory from 20-40 yards
- Less holdover at longer distances
- Better for 3D courses where shots average 25-35 yards
Cons:
- Shoots high at close range (15-25 yards) - must hold low or use different pin
- Less forgiving on close shots in timber (where most deer are killed)
Multi-pin sights vs. single pin
Multi-pin sights: Set pins at 20, 30, 40, 50+ yards. No holdover needed - just use the correct pin for the distance. Eliminates guessing. Requires ranging the target accurately.
Single-pin adjustable: Dial sight to exact yardage. Perfect for competition. Too slow for hunting - animals move before you can adjust.
Gap shooting / instinctive: Traditional archers use arrow trajectory instinctively. Requires extensive practice but allows fast shooting at any distance.
Shop multi-pin bow sights or adjustable single-pin sights on Amazon.
Environmental factors: wind and angle
Wind drift
Crosswinds push arrows off course. Wind drift depends on arrow speed, weight, and fletching:
- Light arrows (350 grains) at 300 FPS: 10 mph crosswind causes ~6 inches drift at 40 yards
- Medium arrows (450 grains) at 280 FPS: 10 mph crosswind causes ~4 inches drift at 40 yards
- Heavy arrows (550 grains) at 260 FPS: 10 mph crosswind causes ~3 inches drift at 40 yards
Heavier arrows are less affected by wind - one reason elk hunters prefer 500+ grain setups. For hunting, avoid shots in wind over 15 mph. Wind is unpredictable and gusts can move arrows 8-12 inches at longer distances.
Uphill and downhill shots
Steep angles change effective distance. Gravity only affects the horizontal distance component:
- 30° angle shot at 40 yards: Shoot like 35 yards (aim slightly high for 35, not 40)
- 45° angle shot at 40 yards: Shoot like 28 yards (much less drop than level shot)
Rule: On steep angles (uphill or downhill), the arrow drops less than you expect. Aim lower than normal holdover. This is why treestand hunters often shoot over deer at 20-25 yards - they aim for 25-yard drop when they should aim for 20-22 yards.
Use our bow poundage calculator to ensure sufficient draw weight for angled shots, which require slightly more energy.
Practice in real conditions
Calculators provide estimates, but nothing replaces practice. Shoot in:
- Various wind conditions (5 mph, 10 mph, 15 mph)
- Different angles (level, uphill, downhill, treestand height)
- Different light (bright sun, shade, dawn/dusk like hunting conditions)
- Under pressure (3D competitions simulate hunting stress)
Arrow drop calculator FAQs
How much does an arrow drop at 40 yards?
Arrow drop at 40 yards varies by arrow speed and weight. Fast arrows (300+ FPS) drop 12-18 inches. Medium speed arrows (270-290 FPS) drop 18-24 inches. Slow arrows (250-270 FPS) drop 24-32 inches. Sight in at 20 yards, and you'll typically need to aim 6-10 inches high at 40 yards depending on your setup. Use our calculator above for your specific arrow speed and weight.
What is arrow trajectory?
Arrow trajectory is the curved flight path an arrow follows from bow to target. Arrows don't fly straight - they arc upward initially, reach a peak, then drop downward. Understanding trajectory helps you aim correctly at different distances. Faster, lighter arrows have flatter trajectories. Heavier arrows drop more quickly. Calculate your arrow's speed and weight to predict trajectory.
How do I calculate arrow drop?
Arrow drop depends on arrow speed (FPS), arrow weight (grains), and distance. The formula approximates drop in inches = (Distance² in yards) ÷ (Arrow Speed × 0.8). For example: 40 yards with 280 FPS arrow = (40 × 40) ÷ (280 × 0.8) = 7.1 inches drop from sight-in distance. Real-world factors like wind and angle also affect drop. Always verify with actual shooting.
Should I sight in at 20 or 30 yards?
Most bowhunters sight in at 20 yards. This gives point-of-aim accuracy from 15-25 yards with minimal holdover at 30-40 yards. Target archers often sight at 30 yards. For hunting, 20-yard sight-in covers most shot opportunities (15-35 yards) with predictable holdover. Practice at all distances you might shoot.
How does arrow weight affect drop?
Heavier arrows drop more than lighter arrows at the same speed. However, heavy arrows maintain momentum better, so they're less affected by wind. A 400-grain arrow at 280 FPS drops slightly more than a 350-grain arrow at 290 FPS. The speed difference matters more than weight alone. Calculate your specific setup with our arrow weight calculator and speed calculator.
Why do arrows drop faster at longer distances?
Arrow drop increases exponentially, not linearly. An arrow at 40 yards doesn't drop twice as much as at 20 yards - it drops 4-5 times as much. This is because the arrow spends more time in flight (more time for gravity to work) and slows down due to air resistance (reduced forward momentum). At 60 yards, drop can be 6-8 times greater than at 20 yards.
What's the maximum effective range for bowhunting?
Maximum ethical range depends on your skill and equipment. Most bowhunters limit themselves to 30-40 yards. Beyond 40 yards, arrow drop becomes significant (10+ inches), wind drift increases dramatically, and range estimation errors cause misses. If you can't hit an 8-inch circle 10 times in a row at a distance in practice, don't shoot at an animal at that distance. Shop quality bow sights for accurate distance shooting.
How does wind affect arrow drop?
Crosswinds don't increase drop significantly, but they cause horizontal drift. Headwinds slightly increase drop (arrow slows faster), and tailwinds slightly decrease drop. A 10 mph crosswind can push arrows 4-8 inches off target at 40 yards depending on arrow weight. Heavier arrows (500+ grains) resist wind better than light arrows (350 grains). Avoid hunting shots in wind over 15 mph.