How do I measure my draw length?

For a first estimate, measure your arm span from fingertip to fingertip in inches and divide by 2.5. That is a rule of thumb, not a measurement. To measure it, draw a long arrow to your anchor and have a coach or helper mark it where it passes the pivot point of the grip. Measure from the nock groove to the mark, then add 1¾ inches under the AMO/ATA convention.

What happens if my compound's draw length is wrong?

A draw that is too long often straightens or locks the bow arm, brings the string closer to the forearm and makes the anchor harder to repeat. One that is too short feels cramped and can make it hard to use your back. Many cams can be adjusted within the maker's range, so have it checked and set at full draw.

Does draw length change draw weight?

On a recurve or barebow, yes: limbs are marked at a standard draw length, often 28 inches, so a longer draw is heavier on your fingers and a shorter one lighter. On a compound, the limb bolts set the peak weight, though on some cams changing the draw length module also changes it slightly.

Draw Length

Draw length is how far you pull the string back at full draw. Under the AMO/ATA convention it is measured from the nocking point to the pivot point of the grip, plus 1¾ inches. On a compound the cams set it; on a recurve or barebow it is wherever your anchor brings the string.

Details

The AMO standard, now maintained by the Archery Trade Association (ATA), adds 1¾ inches to the measured distance from the nocking point to the pivot point at full draw. That figure is what compound makers, limb makers and arrow charts mean by draw length, so it is the number to give when you buy a bow or limbs. A figure without the 1¾ inches is sometimes called true draw length.

A common rule of thumb gives a starting point: stand with your arms straight out to the sides, measure your arm span from fingertip to fingertip in inches, and divide by 2.5. It is only an estimate. Your anchor, release, stance and build all change it, so have your draw length checked at full draw by a coach or a shop.

On a compound, the cams set the draw length. You draw to the back wall and the bow goes no further, so the bow has to fit you. Many cams change draw length with a rotating module or a module you swap, within a range the maker lists. A draw that is too long tends to straighten the bow arm and bring the string closer to the forearm; one that is too short feels cramped. Changing between a wrist-strap and a handheld release can also mean changing the draw length.

A recurve or barebow has no set draw length. It is the point your anchor and form bring the string to, so it can vary a little from shot to shot. Many recurve archers use a clicker, a draw check, to reach the same length every time; World Archery's target rules allow one draw check on a recurve and none on a barebow. On these bows your draw length also sets how much weight you hold on your fingers.

Draw length affects your arrows too. Arrows must be long enough that the point stays in front of the rest at full draw, and on a recurve with a clicker, long enough to reach it. After a draw length change, re-check arrow spine, sight marks and, on a compound, peep height.

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Common questions

How do I measure my draw length?: For a first estimate, measure your arm span from fingertip to fingertip in inches and divide by 2.5. That is a rule of thumb, not a measurement. To measure it, draw a long arrow to your anchor and have a coach or helper mark it where it passes the pivot point of the grip. Measure from the nock groove to the mark, then add 1¾ inches under the AMO/ATA convention.
What happens if my compound's draw length is wrong?: A draw that is too long often straightens or locks the bow arm, brings the string closer to the forearm and makes the anchor harder to repeat. One that is too short feels cramped and can make it hard to use your back. Many cams can be adjusted within the maker's range, so have it checked and set at full draw.
Does draw length change draw weight?: On a recurve or barebow, yes: limbs are marked at a standard draw length, often 28 inches, so a longer draw is heavier on your fingers and a shorter one lighter. On a compound, the limb bolts set the peak weight, though on some cams changing the draw length module also changes it slightly.