Draw Weight Calculator
Find your actual bow draw weight at your draw length — plus estimated arrow speed, kinetic
energy, momentum, and what game you can hunt.
Works for compound, recurve, and longbow. Free, instant results.
💡 Don't know your arrow weight? Leave it blank for draw weight only. Add it to unlock speed, KE, and game suitability estimates.
Example: compound bow at 29" draw
Here's how the calculator works with a typical hunting compound setup:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Bow type | Compound |
| Marked draw weight | 60 lbs @ 28" |
| Your draw length | 29" |
| Let-off | 80% |
| Arrow weight | 420 grains |
| Output | Result |
| Actual peak draw weight | 61.5 lbs |
| Holding weight | 12.3 lbs |
| Estimated arrow speed | ~279 fps |
| Kinetic energy | 72.6 ft-lbs |
| Momentum | 0.0727 slug·ft/s |
| Grains per pound (GPP) | 6.8 GPP ✅ |
| Game suitability | Big Game (elk, bear) |
Speed formula: IBO baseline adjusted for draw length and arrow weight. KE = (arrow weight × speed²) ÷ 450,240. Momentum = (arrow weight × speed) ÷ 225,400.
📏 Need to measure your draw weight?
Shop digital bow scales on Amazon — the most accurate way to find your true poundage before you buy arrows. Once you know your draw weight, use the Arrow Spine Calculator to find the correct arrow stiffness for your setup.
What draw weight actually means
Marked weight vs. actual weight
The number stamped on your bow is measured at 28 inches of draw. Pull to 30 inches and you're bending the limbs further — the weight goes up. Draw to only 26 inches and it drops. This gap between marked weight and actual weight is what this calculator closes. Choosing arrow spine from the sticker weight instead of your real weight is one of the most common setup mistakes archers make.
Recurve and longbows shift approximately 2.5 lbs per inch of draw length change. Compound bows shift roughly 1.5 lbs per inch, depending on cam geometry. The compound number is less consistent between models, so measuring with a bow scale is always the gold standard.
How to calculate draw weight at your draw length
Recurve / longbow: Actual weight = Marked weight + ((your draw length − 28) × 2.5)
Compound bow: Actual weight = Marked weight + ((your draw length − 28) × 1.5)
Example: A recurve marked at 40 lbs at 28", drawn at 30": 40 + ((30 − 28) × 2.5) = 45 lbs
actual.
A compound marked at 60 lbs at 28", drawn at 29": 60 + ((29 − 28) × 1.5) = 61.5 lbs actual.
Peak weight vs. holding weight (compound bows)
A compound bow creates two very different weight readings. Peak weight is the maximum load during the draw stroke — this is what you use for arrow spine charts, hunting regulation checks, and kinetic energy calculations. Holding weight is the reduced load you hold at full draw after let-off engages. A 60 lb compound at 80% let-off holds just 12 lbs at anchor. That's why compound archers can hold at full draw far longer than recurve archers shooting the same poundage.
Want help choosing the right poundage for your age and strength? See our Bow Poundage Calculator.
How draw weight drives arrow speed and power
Every additional 10 lbs of draw weight adds roughly 10–15 fps of arrow speed using a standard-weight arrow. More speed means more kinetic energy — and KE is what drives penetration on game. The relationship isn't linear, because heavier arrows also carry more momentum at the cost of some speed, which is often the better trade for bowhunting. That balance between speed and mass is what the grains-per-pound (GPP) output in this calculator helps you evaluate.
Draw weight reference chart
Recurve bows — by archer type
| Archer | Suggested draw weight | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Youth (under 12) | 10–15 lbs | Learning form, backyard |
| Teen / small adult beginner | 15–25 lbs | Club practice, JOAD |
| Adult beginner | 20–30 lbs | Target, recreational |
| Intermediate target | 28–38 lbs | Club competitions |
| Olympic / advanced target | 38–48 lbs | Indoor / outdoor FITA |
| Recurve hunting | 45–55 lbs | Whitetail, small game |
Compound bows — by use case
| Use case | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Youth / beginner | 15–35 lbs | Adjustable limbs essential |
| Adult target | 40–55 lbs | Prioritise consistency over raw speed |
| Deer / antelope hunting | 50–60 lbs | Meets state minimums with margin |
| Elk / bear hunting | 60–70 lbs | Extra KE for heavier game |
| 3D competition | 50–65 lbs | Speed matters; lighter arrows common |
Longbow / traditional
Without let-off you hold the full weight at anchor, so beginners must be conservative. Start at 25–35 lbs and add weight only when your form is solid and you can shoot 30 arrows without fatigue. Most traditional bowhunters settle at 45–60 lbs for deer-sized game. Arrows for traditional bows are typically heavier (8–10 grains per pound) to maximise momentum and quiet the bow.
Minimum draw weight for hunting — state guidelines
Requirements vary by state and species. The table below shows widely cited minimums — always verify your state's current regulations before heading out.
| Target game | Compound minimum | Recurve / longbow minimum | Recommended KE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small game / turkey | 30–35 lbs | 35–40 lbs | 25+ ft-lbs |
| Whitetail deer / antelope | 40–45 lbs | 40–50 lbs | 40+ ft-lbs |
| Elk / black bear | 50 lbs | 50–55 lbs | 55+ ft-lbs |
| Moose / grizzly bear | 50–60 lbs | 55–65 lbs | 65+ ft-lbs |
⚠️ Always verify state regulations. Some states specify draw weight at a fixed draw length, or treat compound and traditional bows differently. Kinetic energy thresholds above are widely-cited recommendations, not universal legal requirements.
Once you have your draw weight and arrow weight, use the Kinetic Energy Calculator or Momentum Calculator to verify your setup meets your target minimums.
Arrow weight and grains per pound (GPP)
Grains per pound (GPP) is a useful ratio that describes how heavy your arrow is relative to your bow's peak draw weight. It affects bow stress, noise, and hunting performance.
| GPP range | Classification | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 GPP | ⚠️ Under-spined risk | Not recommended — can stress or damage bow |
| 5–6 GPP | Light / speed build | 3D competition, target, speed shooting |
| 6–8 GPP | ✅ Balanced hunting | Deer, antelope — good speed and penetration |
| 8–10 GPP | Heavy hunting | Elk, bear — maximum momentum and penetration |
| 10+ GPP | Traditional / heavy | Traditional archery, dangerous game |
The ATA minimum safety standard is 5 grains per pound. A 60 lb bow requires at least a 300 grain arrow to avoid potentially damaging the bow. This calculator flags GPP below 5 as a safety warning.
How to measure your bow's actual draw weight
📏 Use a bow scale
Hook it to your string at the nocking point and draw to your full anchor. Watch for the peak reading on digital models — that's your draw weight.
📦 Use a luggage scale
Stand on bathroom scales, hook the luggage scale to your string, draw to anchor. Total weight minus your body weight equals draw weight. Less accurate but works in a pinch.
🎯 Shoot at real anchor point
Measure exactly where you shoot from in the field, not where it's most comfortable. Over-drawing or under-drawing gives a false reading.
⚡ Compound: capture peak weight
Watch the scale throughout the entire draw. The highest reading before the cam rolls over is your peak draw weight — the number to use for everything.
🛒 Shop bow scales on Amazon — a one-time purchase that pays for itself the first time you select the right arrow spine.
Draw weight calculator — FAQs
How do I measure my bow's actual draw weight?
Use a bow scale or digital luggage scale. Hook it to the string at the nocking point, draw to your full anchor point, and read the peak value. For compound bows, the highest number before let-off is your peak draw weight — the number to use for spine charts and regulations. Shop bow scales on Amazon.
Why is my actual draw weight different from the number on my bow?
Manufacturers rate draw weight at 28" draw. If you draw longer or shorter, the limbs flex more or less and the weight changes. Recurves and longbows shift about 2.5 lbs per inch. Compound bows shift roughly 1.5 lbs per inch, though this varies by cam design.
What is the difference between peak weight and holding weight?
Peak weight is the maximum poundage at the top of the draw stroke. Holding weight is the lighter load you hold at full draw after let-off engages. A 60 lb compound at 80% let-off has a 12 lb holding weight. Use peak weight for everything official — spine selection, hunting regulations, and kinetic energy calculations.
How much draw weight do I need to hunt deer?
Most states set 40–45 lbs minimum for compound bows and 40–50 lbs for recurves and longbows when hunting deer. The widely recommended practical minimum is 40 lbs producing 40 ft-lbs of kinetic energy at the target. Always check your specific state regulations — some states measure at a fixed draw length, not your personal draw.
Does draw weight affect arrow speed?
Yes. Every 10 lb increase in draw weight adds roughly 10–15 fps using a standard-weight arrow. More draw weight also allows heavier arrows without sacrificing too much speed — heavier arrows carry more momentum, which matters for penetration on big game. Use the Arrow Speed Calculator to estimate fps from your full bow setup.
Can I increase my compound bow's draw weight?
Most compounds allow 10–15 lb of adjustment via the limb bolts. Never exceed the manufacturer's maximum — usually printed in the owner's manual. Build up gradually in 5 lb increments, only increasing when your form stays clean and consistent. Check our Bow Poundage Calculator for guidance.
What arrow weight should I pair with my draw weight?
The ATA minimum is 5 grains per pound of peak draw weight. For hunting, 6–8 grains per pound is the commonly recommended sweet spot — enough mass for penetration and momentum without too much speed loss. A 60 lb bow pairs well with a 360–480 grain hunting arrow. Use the Arrow Weight Calculator to total your component weights.
How do I know if my draw weight is too high for me?
Signs you're over-bowed: struggling to reach full draw, shaking at anchor, shooting poorly after 10–15 arrows, sore back or shoulders after practice, or developing target panic. If drawing the bow is the hardest part of shooting, reduce the weight by 5–10 lbs and rebuild your form from there.