What draw weight should I start with?

One you can draw smoothly and hold under control for a full session without your form breaking down. Many adult beginners start a recurve somewhere in the high teens to mid-twenties of pounds on the fingers and move up as they get stronger. On a compound, start low in the bow's adjustable range.

Why is my actual draw weight different from the limb marking?

Recurve limbs are usually marked at a 28-inch draw. If your draw is longer, you pull more than the marking; if it is shorter, less. The riser and the limb bolt setting change it too. To know your real draw weight, measure it at your full draw with a bow scale.

Is there a maximum draw weight in competition?

It depends on the federation. World Archery's target, field and 3D rules cap compound peak draw weight at 60 pounds and set no limit for recurve or barebow. IBO allows up to 80 pounds for most classes, with lower limits for some, and NFAA caps peak draw weight at 80 pounds. Check the rulebook for your division.

Draw Weight

Draw weight is the force, in pounds, needed to draw a bow. Recurve limbs are usually marked with their weight at a standard 28-inch draw, so the weight on your fingers depends on your own draw length. A compound is rated by its peak weight, which drops to a lower holding weight at full draw.

Details

Recurve and barebow limbs are usually marked with a draw weight measured at the AMO standard draw length of 28 inches, written something like 34 lb at 28 inches. If your draw is longer than 28 inches the weight on your fingers is higher; if it is shorter, lower. A rough rule of thumb is about 2 pounds per inch, but it varies with the limbs, the riser and the limb bolt setting, so measure it at your own full draw with a bow scale.

A compound's draw weight is given as peak weight, the highest force during the draw. Most compounds can be adjusted over a range by turning the limb bolts, but never back them out past the maker's limit. After the peak the cams let off, so the weight you hold at full draw is much lower; that drop is the let-off.

Choose a weight you can draw smoothly and hold under control for a whole session. Lifting the bow high to draw it, shaking at full draw and form falling apart late in a session are signs that the bow is too heavy. Many coaches start new archers light and add weight as strength and form improve. Some hunting regulations set a minimum draw weight, so check the rules where you hunt.

Draw weight is one of the inputs to arrow spine, along with arrow length and point weight. A heavier draw weight needs a stiffer spine; on a compound, read the spine chart with peak weight, not holding weight.

Competition limits depend on the federation. World Archery's target, field and 3D rules cap compound peak draw weight at 60 pounds and set no draw-weight limit for recurve or barebow; its para W1 division and VI compound bows are capped at 45 pounds. IBO allows up to 80 pounds for most classes, with lower limits for some: 70 pounds for Pro Female, 60 for its other female and youth classes and 40 for Cub, plus a 2-pound allowance for bow scales. NFAA caps peak draw weight at 80 pounds, with an arrow speed limit. ASA limits arrow speed by class rather than setting a general draw-weight cap. Check the rulebook for your division.

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Common questions

What draw weight should I start with?: One you can draw smoothly and hold under control for a full session without your form breaking down. Many adult beginners start a recurve somewhere in the high teens to mid-twenties of pounds on the fingers and move up as they get stronger. On a compound, start low in the bow's adjustable range.
Why is my actual draw weight different from the limb marking?: Recurve limbs are usually marked at a 28-inch draw. If your draw is longer, you pull more than the marking; if it is shorter, less. The riser and the limb bolt setting change it too. To know your real draw weight, measure it at your full draw with a bow scale.
Is there a maximum draw weight in competition?: It depends on the federation. World Archery's target, field and 3D rules cap compound peak draw weight at 60 pounds and set no limit for recurve or barebow. IBO allows up to 80 pounds for most classes, with lower limits for some, and NFAA caps peak draw weight at 80 pounds. Check the rulebook for your division.