Your draw length, not your height, decides bow size—measure it by dividing your wingspan by 2.5.
Choosing your first bow gets confusing fast because most sizing charts expect you to know one number: your draw length. That’s the distance from your bow hand to the string at full draw, and it’s the foundation every bow-size chart hangs on. For recurve bows—the most common starting point—your draw length maps directly to a bow length in inches. Compound bows work differently: they’re adjusted to your draw length rather than chosen from a fixed length chart.
Before you buy, measure your draw length once and you’ll have the key every sizing guide uses. One simple calculation is all it takes.
How To Measure Your Draw Length
Stand naturally with your arms stretched out to your sides, palms facing forward. Keep your arms relaxed—don’t stretch or reach—and have someone measure the distance between your two middle fingertips. Then divide that wingspan in inches by 2.5 to estimate your draw length.
For example, a 68-inch wingspan divided by 2.5 gives you a 27.2-inch draw length. Most people land between 26 and 29 inches, which is why 66–70-inch recurve bows dominate the market.
Don’t skip this step. Using your height alone gets you in the ballpark, but the wingspan method is more accurate because proportions vary—a tall person with short arms and a shorter person with long arms need different bows.
Matching Draw Length To Recurve Bow Size
Once you know your draw length, the chart below shows what recurve bow length to look for. These numbers follow the standardized AMO/ATA length conventions used by recurve manufacturers.
| Draw Length | Recommended Bow Length | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|
| Under 17 inches | 48 inches | Youth archers |
| 17–20 inches | 54 inches | Young or small-framed archers |
| 21–22 inches | 58 inches | Smaller teens and adults |
| 23–24 inches | 62 inches | Average teen archers |
| 25–26 inches | 64–66 inches | Shorter adult draws |
| 27–28 inches | 66–68 inches | Most adult archers |
| 29–30 inches | 68–70 inches | Taller archers |
| 31+ inches | 70–72 inches | Long-limbed archers |
If you’re just starting out and buying for a younger shooter, our roundup of archery bows for youth narrows down the best options for smaller draw lengths. Most youth bows sit in the 48–54-inch range and pair well with lower draw weights for beginners.
Tips For Compound And Competition Bows
Compound bows break the chart rules. Instead of matching bow length to draw length, you adjust the bow’s module or cam system to fit your draw length directly. Compound bow fitment leans on draw length and draw weight rather than a fixed bow-length chart, so a compound is sized by the range stamped on its cams—not by its axle-to-axle length.
Check competition rules too. World Archery’s equipment rules require the bow to measure at least 150 cm in the relevant equipment class. If you plan to compete, verify class-specific minimums before you buy.
Common Sizing Mistakes To Avoid
Three errors trip up most first-time buyers:
- Trusting height alone. Height is a rough proxy at best. One guide puts a 5’6″ archer on a 62–64-inch bow and a 6’2″ archer on a 66–68-inch bow, but wingspan varies too much to rely on height—measure your draw length instead.
- Measuring while stretched. If you stretch your arms during a wingspan measurement, you’ll overestimate your draw length and buy a bow that’s too long.
- Ignoring draw weight. Bow length handles the fit, but draw weight—the force needed to pull the string—matters for comfort. Beginners should start light, with some guides recommending 10–25 pounds for first recurves.
FAQs
What happens if my bow is too short?
A bow that’s too short for your draw length feels “stacky”—the draw gets harder near the end instead of smooth—and it’s less forgiving when you shoot. Moving up in bow length as your draw length grows keeps the draw cycle comfortable and improves accuracy.
Can I use a recurve chart for a compound bow?
No. Recurve sizing charts describe bow length in AMO/ATA terms and apply to recurve and target bows. Compound bows are fitted by draw-length range and draw weight instead of a fixed length chart, so measuring your draw length first still helps, but you’ll use different specs.
Is a 68-inch bow good for a 28-inch draw length?
Yes, that pairing sits right at the center of most sizing charts. A 27–28-inch draw typically maps to a 66–68-inch recurve, making the 68-inch bow the standard recommendation for average adult archers.
References & Sources
- World Archery. “Book 4 – Equipment Rules.” States the 150 cm minimum bow length for competition classes.