Home Arrow Speed Calculator
Arrow Speed Calculator
Calculate your arrow velocity in feet per second (FPS).
Essential for trajectory planning and kinetic energy calculations.
Works for compound, recurve, and traditional bows.
Updated June 2026
💡 Best verification: A chronograph measures your actual setup. This calculator is an estimate, not a substitute for a measured speed.
Example arrow speed estimate
Suppose a compound bow is rated at 335 FPS under the IBO reference setup, but your actual setup uses 60 lb draw weight, 28.5" draw length, a 450-grain finished arrow, and a 7" brace height.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Published IBO rating | 335 FPS |
| Actual draw weight | 60 lbs |
| Actual draw length | 28.5" |
| Finished arrow weight | 450 grains |
| Brace height | 7" |
| Model estimate | about 265 FPS before optional string-accessory loss |
The calculator scales the published IBO reference by the relative draw weight, approximate power stroke, and arrow mass. It is a transparent energy-based estimate, not a manufacturer-certified correction formula. Actual cam design, draw-force curve, string mass, tuning, and efficiency can move the real chronograph result.
How this arrow speed calculator estimates FPS
Compound bows: start with the published IBO rating
BowTech's published owner manuals describe the familiar IBO reference as a 70 lb bow at 30" draw length shooting a 350-grain arrow, which is five grains per pound. BowTech also notes that added arrow mass and string-mounted accessories reduce measured speed.
Rather than treating fixed FPS-per-pound or FPS-per-inch adjustments as universal, this calculator uses the bow's published IBO velocity as the reference and scales it by three physical inputs: actual draw weight, approximate power stroke, and finished arrow mass. The result is then reduced by any string-accessory loss you enter.
Recurve and longbow: broad energy-model estimate
Recurve and longbow setups do not have an IBO speed rating that can be used as a direct anchor. For those bow types, the calculator estimates stored energy from draw weight and power stroke, then applies a conservative transfer-efficiency assumption before converting arrow kinetic energy to FPS. The result should be treated as a broad planning estimate rather than a precise prediction.
For tuning, sight marks, trajectory work, or any decision where a few FPS matter, measure the finished setup with a chronograph.
📊 Measure or upgrade your setup
Measure actual arrow speed with an archery chronograph on Amazon. Ready to upgrade? Browse compound bows at Amazon, recurve bows at Optics Planet, or longbows at Optics Planet.
Understanding arrow speed
What determines arrow speed?
Arrow velocity comes from the energy the bow stores and transfers to the arrow. The most important setup variables include draw weight, draw length and power stroke, finished arrow mass, the bow's draw-force curve, cam or limb design, string mass, and tuning.
- More stored energy: Higher draw weight or a longer effective power stroke can increase speed.
- More arrow mass: A heavier finished arrow generally leaves the bow more slowly.
- Bow design: Two bows with the same peak draw weight can produce different speeds because their draw-force curves and moving mass differ.
- String-mounted accessories: Peep sights, loops, silencers, and similar string mass can reduce measured velocity.
IBO speed rating explained
IBO ratings make compound-bow speeds easier to compare under a standardized reference setup. BowTech's published manuals describe the reference as 70 lb draw weight, 30" draw length, and a 350-grain arrow (5 grains per pound). Your finished hunting or target setup usually differs from that reference.
Speed vs. kinetic energy vs. momentum
Speed describes velocity; kinetic energy and momentum also depend on arrow mass. A speed number by itself does not determine penetration or hunting effectiveness. Use the kinetic energy calculator and arrow momentum calculator to compare complete setups rather than chasing FPS alone.
Why arrow speed varies so much by bow type
Compound, recurve, and longbow speeds should not be compared with one fixed table. Compound bows use cams and are commonly advertised with standardized IBO ratings. Recurve and longbow performance depends heavily on the individual bow's force-draw curve, limb design, draw length, arrow mass, and tuning.
Compound bows
Use the manufacturer's IBO rating as the calculator's reference, then enter your actual draw weight, draw length, finished arrow weight, and brace height.
Recurve bows
Treat the calculator result as a broad estimate. Competitive recurve speeds vary with limb efficiency, draw weight, draw length, and arrow mass, so chronograph data is much more useful than a generic range.
Longbows / traditional bows
Traditional bow designs vary widely. Use the estimate for planning only, and measure the finished setup when trajectory or tuning depends on actual FPS.
How setup changes can affect arrow speed
⚖️ Change arrow mass
A lighter finished arrow generally increases speed, while a heavier arrow generally reduces it. Never go below the minimum arrow mass specified by your bow manufacturer.
💪 Change draw weight
More draw weight can store more energy, but only use a weight you can draw and control safely and consistently. Stay within the bow manufacturer's adjustment range.
📏 Correct draw length
A properly fitted draw length affects both stored energy and shooting form. Do not lengthen a compound bow simply to gain speed; set it to the archer's correct fit.
🧵 Check string-mounted accessories
Peep sights, loops, silencers, and other string mass can reduce speed. BowTech's manuals publish model-independent examples of these losses, but the actual effect varies by setup.
The useful goal is a well-tuned setup that meets your accuracy, trajectory, and arrow-mass requirements. Maximum FPS is not automatically the best setup.
Arrow speed and trajectory
Faster arrows spend less time in flight over the same distance and therefore generally show less gravitational drop, but real trajectory also depends on launch angle, sight height, drag, arrow diameter, and environmental conditions. Use your measured chronograph speed in the arrow trajectory and wind-drift calculator for the most useful distance table.
If you only have a calculated speed, treat the resulting trajectory as a starting estimate and confirm sight marks on the range.
Technical sources and verification
The calculator uses published compound-bow rating conventions as an anchor and clearly labels the remaining math as an estimate. For model-specific limits and exact performance, your bow manufacturer's current manual takes priority.
Arrow speed calculator FAQs
How do I calculate arrow speed?
For a compound bow, start with the manufacturer's published IBO speed and adjust for your actual draw weight, draw length, finished arrow mass, power stroke, and string-mounted accessories. This calculator uses a transparent estimation model rather than claiming one fixed FPS correction works for every bow. For exact speed, measure the finished setup with a chronograph.
What is IBO speed rating?
IBO speed is a standardized compound-bow performance reference. BowTech's published manuals describe the reference setup as 70 lb draw weight, 30" draw length, and a 350-grain arrow, which is 5 grains per pound. Your actual setup can be slower or otherwise different because arrow mass, draw length, draw weight, bow design, string mass, and tuning change the result.
How much does arrow weight affect speed?
Heavier arrows generally reduce speed, but there is no universal FPS-per-grain rule for every bow. BowTech has published a rule of thumb for some of its compound bows of about 1 FPS lost per 3 grains added above the 5-grains-per-pound IBO reference. Treat that as a model-specific guide, not a universal conversion.
Does draw length affect arrow speed?
Yes. Draw length changes the bow's effective power stroke and stored energy, so it can affect velocity. The exact FPS change per inch is not universal because cam geometry and draw-force curves differ by model. Set draw length for correct fit first with the draw length calculator, then measure or estimate speed from that real setup.
Why is my bow slower than its published IBO rating?
The published rating is a standardized reference, not a promise for every finished setup. A heavier arrow, shorter draw length, lower draw weight, additional string mass, tuning differences, and the bow's actual configuration can all change chronograph speed.
How do I measure my actual arrow speed?
Use an archery chronograph with your normal finished arrow and shooting setup. Follow the chronograph manufacturer's placement and safety instructions, shoot several consistent arrows, and use the measured result for trajectory or energy calculations.
Is faster always better?
No. More speed can flatten trajectory, but arrow mass, noise, tuning, momentum, kinetic energy, accuracy, and manufacturer minimum-arrow requirements also matter. Choose a balanced setup rather than optimizing only for FPS.