Arrow Trajectory & Wind Drift Calculator
A complete ballistics table for your arrow setup — vertical drop,
wind drift by direction, kinetic energy, momentum, and flight time
at every distance from 10 to 80 yards.
Works for compound, recurve, and crossbow.
Quick-load a scenario:
💡 Don't know your arrow speed? Use the Arrow Speed Calculator to estimate fps from your draw weight and draw length. Chronograph for maximum accuracy.
How to read this ballistics table
The table shows your arrow's full performance profile at every 10-yard increment from 10 to 80 yards.
| Column | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Distance | Range to target. The highlighted green row is your sight-in distance — impact equals point of aim. |
| Speed (fps) | Estimated arrow speed at that distance after aerodynamic drag. Heavier fletch and longer distances reduce speed faster. |
| Drop / Rise | Vertical offset from line of sight in inches. ↑ = arrow above aim (before zero). ↓ = arrow below aim (past zero). |
| Wind drift | Lateral displacement in inches. Zero for headwinds and tailwinds. Hold into the wind by this amount. |
| KE (ft-lbs) | Kinetic energy remaining. Red values are below your selected game minimum. |
| Momentum | Remaining momentum in slug·ft/s. Drives penetration on heavy game and through bone. |
| Flight time | Time in milliseconds to reach that distance. Useful for moving target leads and wind drift context. |
Understanding arrow wind drift
How wind direction affects drift
| Wind direction | Lateral drift effect | Speed effect |
|---|---|---|
| Full crosswind (90°) | Maximum — 100% of calculated drift | None |
| Quartering wind (45°) | ~71% of full crosswind drift | Slight head or tailwind component |
| Direct headwind | Zero lateral drift | Slows arrow, increases drop slightly |
| Direct tailwind | Zero lateral drift | Marginal speed increase, trivial effect |
The lag-time model
This calculator uses the lag-time method for wind drift — the most accurate approach available without full computational fluid dynamics. Drift is driven by the difference between actual flight time and the theoretical flight time in a vacuum. The bigger that gap, the more time the wind has to push the arrow sideways.
This is why heavier, slower arrows drift more — they decelerate more, creating a larger lag-time gap. Fletching type affects this too: large vanes slow the arrow faster, increasing drift at long range despite better stabilisation.
Practical wind holds for hunting
| Setup | 10 mph crosswind at 40 yds | 10 mph crosswind at 60 yds |
|---|---|---|
| Fast compound (320 fps / 380 gr) | ~2.5" | ~5.5" |
| Typical hunting compound (280 fps / 420 gr) | ~3.5" | ~8" |
| Recurve (220 fps / 450 gr) | ~5.5" | ~13" |
| Traditional (190 fps / 520 gr) | ~7.5" | ~18" |
Use the calculator above with your exact speed and weight for accurate drift values for your specific setup.
Arrow trajectory vs. arrow drop — what's the difference?
Arrow drop is the raw vertical distance the arrow falls due to gravity from the bore line. It is always downward and increases with distance and flight time.
Arrow trajectory is the arrow's path relative to your line of sight. Because your sight is set above the arrow and the arrow launches at a slight upward angle, trajectory actually rises before your sight-in distance, then falls beyond it. At your zero distance, trajectory crosses line of sight — the arrow hits point of aim. Inside that distance the arrow is above your aim; beyond it, below.
If you want a simpler drop-only table without wind drift or KE columns, see the Arrow Drop Calculator.
How fletching type affects trajectory and drift
| Fletching | Drag | Speed at 60 yds vs. standard | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2" micro vanes / Blazer | Low | +5–8 fps faster | Speed builds, drop-away rests |
| Standard 3"–4" vanes | Medium | Baseline | Hunting, general compound |
| Large 4"+ helical vanes | Higher | −5–10 fps slower | Fixed-blade broadheads, recurve |
| Feathers | Lowest at short range | Very setup-dependent | Traditional, Olympic recurve |
The calculator adjusts drag decay based on your fletching selection. Speed at each distance reflects deceleration for that fletching type, which in turn affects KE, momentum, and wind drift accuracy at longer distances.
Effective hunting range — trajectory and kinetic energy combined
Maximum effective hunting range is set by two limits: the range at which you can reliably place your arrow on target (a trajectory question), and the range at which you retain sufficient kinetic energy for an ethical kill (a physics question). Your practical limit is whichever is reached first.
| Target game | Minimum KE at target |
|---|---|
| Small game / turkey | 25 ft-lbs |
| Whitetail deer | 40 ft-lbs |
| Elk / black bear | 55 ft-lbs |
| Moose / large bear | 65 ft-lbs |
These are minimum thresholds, not targets. A comfortable margin above minimum is always preferable for ethical kills. The calculator flags the last distance row where your setup still meets the threshold you selected.
Get your exact arrow speed for the most accurate results
- Arrow chronographs on Amazon — removes the guesswork from every calculation
- Arrow Speed Calculator — estimate fps from draw weight and draw length
A 10 fps error in entered speed changes your 60-yard drop prediction by approximately 2–3 inches. Chronograph whenever possible.
Trajectory and wind drift FAQs
How much does wind affect arrow flight?
It depends on arrow speed, weight, distance, and wind direction. A 10 mph full crosswind will push a typical 280 fps hunting arrow about 3–4 inches at 40 yards and 7–9 inches at 60 yards. Faster arrows and lighter arrows drift less. Quartering winds drift about 70% as much as a full crosswind. Enter your exact setup above for your specific numbers.
What is arrow drop at 40 yards?
Entirely setup-dependent. A 320 fps arrow sighted in at 25 yards drops roughly 4–6 inches at 40 yards. A 260 fps arrow sighted in at 20 yards drops 10–14 inches. Use this calculator with your actual speed and weight for an accurate result. If you don't know your speed, start with the Arrow Speed Calculator.
What is the difference between arrow drop and arrow trajectory?
Arrow drop is the raw vertical fall due to gravity from the bore line. Arrow trajectory is the arrow's path relative to your line of sight — rising slightly before your zero, then falling beyond it. This calculator shows trajectory relative to line of sight, which is what matters for aim correction in the field. The Arrow Drop Calculator shows simpler drop-only figures.
Does arrow weight affect wind drift?
Yes — heavier arrows typically drift more because they fly slower and spend more time in the wind. The lag-time model used here accounts for this. Speed is the dominant factor, which is why ultra-light speed arrows can have a wind drift advantage at shorter distances, even though they're less ideal for momentum and penetration.
How do I reduce wind drift when hunting?
The most effective methods: shoot a faster setup, reduce maximum shot distance in wind, wait for wind lulls, and practise hold-off using the exact drift figures this calculator produces. For shots over 40 yards in 10+ mph winds, pre-determining your hold-off with this calculator is far more reliable than guessing in the moment.
How accurate are these calculations?
The trajectory model uses exponential drag decay calibrated to typical arrow ballistic coefficients, and the wind drift model uses the lag-time method — the standard for arrow ballistics. Results are accurate to within 10–15% for typical setups. Real-world variation comes from fletching condition, arrow straightness, broadhead aerodynamics, temperature, and altitude. Verify trajectory by shooting at multiple distances with a chronographed speed value.
Should I use this calculator or the Arrow Drop Calculator?
Use this calculator when you want the full ballistics picture — wind drift by direction, KE and momentum at distance, and an effective range advisory. Use the Arrow Drop Calculator when you just need a quick drop table without wind or performance columns.