Home Bow Size Calculator
Bow Size Calculator
What size bow do you need? Recurve length is commonly matched to draw length, while compound
axle-to-axle length is mainly a stability-versus-maneuverability choice after confirming the cam fits your draw.
Enter your draw length below for a starting recommendation, then verify the
exact model with the manufacturer's fit guidance.
Quick navigation: Calculator · Recurve Sizing · Compound Sizing · Longbow Sizing · Youth Sizing · FAQs
💡 Tip: Treat the calculator as a starting fit guide. Bow geometry varies, so confirm the selected model's published draw-length and sizing limits before ordering.
📏 Don't know your draw length yet? Use the Draw Length Calculator first — bow size depends on it.
Shop bows in your recommended size
Once you have your size, shop by bow type:
- Recurve bows at Optics Planet — ILF takedown and one-piece recurves by length
- Compound bows on Amazon — filter by axle-to-axle size
- Longbows at Optics Planet — traditional and hybrid longbows by length
Example bow sizing
Let's find a practical recurve bow starting size for a 28-inch draw:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Bow type | Recurve bow |
| Draw length | 28 inches |
| Input used | Measured draw length |
| Experience | Beginner |
| Recommended Bow | |
| Bow length (AMO) | 68 inches |
| Starting range | 68-70 inches |
| Riser (if ILF takedown) | 25" riser + short limbs = 68" bow |
Lancaster Archery's basic sizing chart places a 28-inch draw in the 66-68 to 68-70-inch recurve area depending on the exact draw length. Final preference can also vary with riser/limb geometry and discipline.
🎯 Ready to buy a bow?
Shop recurve bows at Optics Planet, compound bows at Amazon, or longbows at Optics Planet.
Recurve bow sizing guide
Recurve bow length by draw length
Lancaster Archery publishes the following basic starting chart. Use it to narrow the range, then check the specific bow or riser/limb manufacturer's guidance.
| Draw Length | Starting Recurve Bow Length |
|---|---|
| 14" - 16" | 48" |
| 17" - 20" | 54" |
| 20" - 22" | 58" |
| 22" - 24" | 62" |
| 24" - 26" | 64" - 66" |
| 26" - 28" | 66" - 68" |
| 28" - 30" | 68" - 70" |
| 31"+ | 70" - 72" |
Height-only estimates
Height is not the preferred sizing input because arm span can differ from height. If height is all you know, the calculator uses height as a rough proxy for wingspan and applies the common wingspan ÷ 2.5 estimate. Measure actual wingspan or draw length before buying.
Why recurve bow length matters
Recurve length influences string angle and how the bow feels through the draw. A bow that is too short for a long draw can feel harsh and create finger pinch; a longer bow can feel smoother but may be less convenient in tight hunting spaces. There is no single perfect length for every discipline.
ILF (International Limb Fitting) bow sizing
ILF takedown recurves combine a riser and limbs, and the final AMO bow length depends on both. Common target combinations include a 25-inch riser with short, medium, or long limbs, but verify the limb maker's published bow-length table for the exact combination you plan to use.
Once you've chosen your bow length, use the String Length Calculator and confirm the bow maker's string-length specification.
Compound bow sizing guide
Draw length first, axle-to-axle second
A compound bow's cam or module must support your draw length. Axle-to-axle (ATA) length is then chosen mainly for the handling and stability you want; it is not calculated directly from body height or draw length.
| ATA Range | Typical Trade-off | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| About 28" - 32" | More compact and maneuverable | Hunting and tight spaces |
| About 32" - 36" | Middle ground for stability and handling | All-around hunting / 3D |
| About 36"+ | More stable platform, less compact | Target and precision-focused setups |
These are shopping categories, not fit requirements. Modern compounds with similar ATA lengths can have very different draw-length ranges, brace heights, cam systems, and handling characteristics.
Compare current models by draw-length range, axle-to-axle, brace height, and draw weight in our Compound Bow Specs Chart.
Traditional longbow sizing guide
Traditional longbow sizing is more design-specific than recurve sizing. English-style longbows, American flatbows, and modern reflex/deflex longbows can tolerate and feel very different at the same overall length.
Use the calculator's longbow result as a broad shopping range only. Before buying, confirm the manufacturer's maximum draw length and recommended bow length for your draw. If the maker publishes a draw-force curve or explicit draw limit, that guidance takes priority over a generic chart.
Shop traditional longbows at Optics Planet after confirming the model's fit range.
Youth bow sizing: fit the archer, not the age
Age is a poor stand-alone sizing input. Measure the young archer's current draw length and choose equipment whose published adjustment range includes that measurement with room to grow.
Highly adjustable youth compounds now span wide draw-length and draw-weight ranges, so a single bow can often remain useful through several growth stages. Recheck the setting whenever posture or anchor no longer looks natural.
Use our Youth Bow Calculator for broader youth equipment guidance.
Bow size calculator FAQs
What size recurve bow do I need for my draw length?
A common starting chart is 24-26 inch draw = 64-66 inch recurve, 26-28 = 66-68, 28-30 = 68-70, and 31 inches or more = 70-72. Treat those as starting points and confirm the exact riser/limb or bow maker's guidance.
Does draw length determine compound axle-to-axle length?
No. Your compound must have a cam or module range that supports your draw length, but axle-to-axle length is mainly a handling and stability choice. Shorter bows are more compact; longer bows generally provide a more stable platform.
What is the best bow length for beginners?
Beginners should start with a bow that actually fits their draw length and strength. For recurves, use a draw-length sizing chart. For compounds, prioritize a model with enough draw-length and draw-weight adjustment, then choose an axle-to-axle length that feels stable and manageable.
What does AMO bow length mean?
AMO bow length is the standardized nominal length used for recurve and traditional bows. It is not simply a straight tip-to-tip measurement on a strung bow. When choosing a string or replacement limbs, use the bow manufacturer's AMO length and specifications.
Can I use height alone to choose a bow?
Height can provide only a rough starting estimate because arm span varies. Measure wingspan or actual draw length before ordering, especially for a compound bow with a defined cam/module range.
How should I size a traditional longbow?
Start with your measured draw length, then follow the bow maker's recommended length and maximum-draw guidance. Traditional designs vary enough that one universal longbow-length formula is not reliable for every bow.
How do I size an ILF takedown recurve?
Choose a riser and limb combination that produces the desired overall bow length for your draw and discipline. A 25-inch riser is common in target setups, but short, medium, and long limbs produce different final bow lengths. Confirm the limb maker's combination chart.