The draw length of any bow has excellent importance in archery, but how to measure draw length in archery? Don’t worry. We discuss all these measurements in this guide.
The concept of draw length is mainly relevant with compound bows as they require setting the draw length back to a calculated distance.
Moreover, draw length is also important in determining the bow and arrow size. You may need to measure the bow and shooter match for more efficient shooting.
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How to Measure Draw Length in Archery?
Draw length is the most notable adjustable needed in archery, so it is essential to determine the draw length when you plan to buy a new bow. Although most of the archers know the correct draw length, some still want to measure the draw length. For those arches, the quick answer is measuring the draw length is easier with the arrow and bow method. You only need patience and the tools at hand to measure it accurately.
What Is Draw Length?
Before measuring the draw length, it is essential to know the draw length.
Draw length is a term that describes the length that a bow will draw. You can measure this length from the front of the Berger hole where your arrow rests and mount it to the riser to the corner of the string. You also measure it from the front part of the grip to the angle of the string.
However, each compound bow is set at a particular length and fired from this set length. While the recurve bows and longbows don’t have a draw length, and you can fire them according to your chosen length.
Why Is Draw Length Important?
No one can underestimate the draw length because it is a critical point for proper form and accuracy in archery. You can also maximize the draw weight while choosing a proper length because it relatively increases the bow’s speed.
It will also measure that the 30″ draw length is suitable for bows. Using a short draw length will decrease the speed; if you increase it, the speed also increases. But always use a proper draw length that fits your bow, and don’t increase it for a gain of more speed.
How To Measure Draw Length
There are various methods to figure out the draw length. Some of them are very accurate and helpful. You can also go to any archery shop. They can check it for you as they have a faux arrow with marked measurements.
I will discuss the whole procedure in detail so that they can know how you can measure your draw length.
Method 1: With Bow and Arrow
You can criterion the draw length using a bow and arrow, which is one of the best measurements. You can do it by following the simple step:
- First, go to the safe location for archery practice or where you draw a bow and arrow using a backstop.
- Then, put an arrow and draw it to the average anchor point of your bow, and here keep it at the position.
- Get someone’s help and ask them to observe the arrow position and mark it when it passes the riser. You can use a piece of tape for marking.
- Now, slowly let down the bow, so the mark remains in its place.
- It is time to calculate the draw length from the throat of the nock to your mark point, which is your draw length.
- Convert it into inches if you measure it in centimeters. It is an accurate measurement method and requires a bow and arrow, but it will not be possible if you are a beginner because you probably are measuring for your first bow.
Method 2: With A Simulated Bow
It is fine if you are a beginner and don’t have a bow. With a simulated bow measurement method, you can quickly determine the draw length using a rod. It is easy to do it with your friend, or you can do it with some tinkering.
- Use a rod, dowel, or anything similar to an arrow.
- Then, put it in your fingers like you hold an arrow.
- Retain the hand position as you hold a bow, and consider the road as an arrow.
- Then draw it and keep it steady until your reach your average anchor point.
- Ask your friend to mark where the rod is above the top of the thumb.
- Now you have two markings, measure the distance between them, then add 13/4 to this. It is your draw length.
If you want the correct measurement, stand just like you stand while shooting. Refrain from stretching your body and keeping your arms bent, or you can miscalculate the real draw length.
Method 3: The Arm Span Method
It is easy to measure the draw length, and most archers recommend it when you get the first bow. However, it is not highly accurate, and the draw length can differ from the actual draw length by about 1 or 2 inches. In most cases, it’s not a big deal, but for accuracy, the above two methods are more considerable.
- Lay on the floor, hold your arms horizontally against the floor and ask someone to measure your arm span from one finger to the other. For this, you may need to have two friends so that they can hold the measuring tape on both ends.
- However, if you have only one friend, you can use another way and stand straight against the wall and span your arms horizontally. Then your friend can easily mark both of them, and you can measure the distance between the marks.
- Take these measurements in inches; if you use centimeters, convert them into inches by dividing them by 2.54. you can also use any tool.
- When you finish all calculations, you will get the draw length. But remember that it is not all that accurate. However, you can get an estimate of your literal draw length.
Method 4: Based On Your Length
The last method involves measuring draw length based on your length, which is helpful for those who get less accuracy in drawing length using the arm span method. As short people do not have long arms and heightened people have long arms, both can ruin the measurements. So you can use your height to measure the draw length of your bow.
It is the simplest way to measure the draw length, but it is not as accurate as the arm span and other methods above. It is best for beginners; only look at your height and estimate your draw length based on the following chart. That’s all!
| Height (feet and inches) | Height (inches) | Draw length |
| 55 inches | 55 inches | 22 inches |
| 57.5 inches | 57 inches | 23 inches |
| 60 inches | 60 inches | 24 inches |
| 62.5 inches | 62 inches | 25 inches |
| 65 inches | 65 inches | 26 inches |
| 67.5 inches | 67 inches | 27 inches |
| 70 inches | 70 inches | 28 inches |
| 72.5 inches | 72 inches | 29 inches |
| 75 inches | 75 inches | 30 inches |
| 77.5 inches | 77 inches | 31 inches |
| 80 inches | 80 inches | 32 inches |
How Does The Draw Length Change Over Time?
When you glance at the above methods of arm span or based on your length, you may think that the draw length will remain consistent as your height will not change. But the draw length is different all the time.
It depends on your form and shooting style because some archers stand straight, and some stand bend over. At the same time, some of them draw the bow further than others. So the proficiency and form of your body change the draw length.
At the same time, most of the new archers also gradually raise their draw length with time. It may increase by 1/2 to 1 inch, but here are some examples of 3 inches or more. As a beginner, you may shoot with a bent stand and bend the arm, but with the improvement in technique and muscle strength, you draw length and increase.
That is why I recommend that the new archers buy 1 to 2 inches more arrows than their natural draw length. Remember that standing up straight is a good thing, as it will increase your accuracy.
Draw Length and Its Influences On Different Bows
You may wonder why you need to measure the draw length. It is essential to measure it. It can change some dynamics of your bow. Here are some necessary things that can have an impact on different bows.
On different bows, it affects the arrow length, the dynamics of the arrow’s spine, and the pace of the arrows.
For recurve and traditional bows: draw length can influence the current draw weight and affect the size of the bow you may require.
For compound bows: draw length influences can figure out the mod on your cams
So it shows that draw length is vital for your bows and will also help get the right gears. Although there are a variety of gears that fit all sizes, they could be better. As a beginner, it becomes more critical to measure the draw length so that you can buy your first bow and arrow for archery practice.
