Draw Length Chart: Wingspan to Draw Length
Draw length in inches equals your wingspan in inches divided by 2.5, rounded to the nearest half inch. A 70 inch wingspan gives a 28 inch draw length, and a 72 inch wingspan gives 29 inches. For most adults wingspan is close to height, so height is a usable cross-check but not a substitute.
Draw length is the first measurement in the whole setup chain. Get it wrong and every number downstream is wrong with it: spine, arrow length, sight marks and speed all move. The good news is that the standard method is a single division. Wingspan in inches divided by 2.5, rounded to the nearest half inch.
Wingspan to draw length chart
Measure fingertip to fingertip with arms out to the sides, palms forward, shoulders relaxed and back against a wall. Do not stretch. The height column assumes the common case where wingspan is close to standing height, which holds for most adults but not for everyone.
| Wingspan | Wingspan / 2.5 | Draw length | Approx height | Compound arrow length | Recurve arrow length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 in | 21.6 | 21.5 in | 4 ft 6 in | 22.5-23.5 in | 23.5-24.5 in |
| 56 in | 22.4 | 22.5 in | 4 ft 8 in | 23.5-24.5 in | 24.5-25.5 in |
| 58 in | 23.2 | 23.0 in | 4 ft 10 in | 24.0-25.0 in | 25.0-26.0 in |
| 60 in | 24.0 | 24.0 in | 5 ft 0 in | 25.0-26.0 in | 26.0-27.0 in |
| 62 in | 24.8 | 25.0 in | 5 ft 2 in | 26.0-27.0 in | 27.0-28.0 in |
| 64 in | 25.6 | 25.5 in | 5 ft 4 in | 26.5-27.5 in | 27.5-28.5 in |
| 66 in | 26.4 | 26.5 in | 5 ft 6 in | 27.5-28.5 in | 28.5-29.5 in |
| 68 in | 27.2 | 27.0 in | 5 ft 8 in | 28.0-29.0 in | 29.0-30.0 in |
| 70 in | 28.0 | 28.0 in | 5 ft 10 in | 29.0-30.0 in | 30.0-31.0 in |
| 72 in | 28.8 | 29.0 in | 6 ft 0 in | 30.0-31.0 in | 31.0-32.0 in |
| 74 in | 29.6 | 29.5 in | 6 ft 2 in | 30.5-31.5 in | 31.5-32.5 in |
| 76 in | 30.4 | 30.5 in | 6 ft 4 in | 31.5-32.5 in | 32.5-33.5 in |
| 78 in | 31.2 | 31.0 in | 6 ft 6 in | 32.0-33.0 in | 33.0-34.0 in |
| 80 in | 32.0 | 32.0 in | 6 ft 8 in | 33.0-34.0 in | 34.0-35.0 in |
| 82 in | 32.8 | 33.0 in | 6 ft 10 in | 34.0-35.0 in | 35.0-36.0 in |
| 84 in | 33.6 | 33.5 in | 7 ft 0 in | 34.5-35.5 in | 35.5-36.5 in |
Arrow length columns are a starting point only. Cut length depends on your rest type, your broadhead length and whether you use a drop-away. Never cut a shaft shorter than the point where the broadhead clears the riser at full draw, and have the first cut checked by a pro shop.
What the ATA draw length definition actually says
A compound bow's draw length is not measured with a tape across your back. The industry standard from the Archery Trade Association, previously the AMO standard, measures from the nock groove on the string at full draw to the pivot point of the grip, then adds 1.75 inches. Every cam, module and spec sheet is labelled to that definition, which is why a bow set to 29 inches feels the same across brands even though the risers differ.
The practical consequence is that wingspan divided by 2.5 is a prediction of that measurement, not the measurement itself. It is accurate enough to buy a bow with, and it is what most pro shops start from, but the final setting should be confirmed on a draw board or with a marked draw length arrow under supervision.
What draw length costs you in speed
IBO and ATA speed ratings are measured at a 30 inch draw, 70 lb, with a 350 grain arrow. Almost nobody shoots that setup. The standard approximation is 10 fps per inch of draw length, which is why the sticker speed and the chronograph rarely agree.
| Draw length | Adjustment | Bow rated 300 fps | Bow rated 330 fps | Bow rated 350 fps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 in | -50 fps | 250 fps | 280 fps | 300 fps |
| 26 in | -40 fps | 260 fps | 290 fps | 310 fps |
| 27 in | -30 fps | 270 fps | 300 fps | 320 fps |
| 28 in | -20 fps | 280 fps | 310 fps | 330 fps |
| 29 in | -10 fps | 290 fps | 320 fps | 340 fps |
| 30 in | reference | 300 fps | 330 fps | 350 fps |
| 31 in | +10 fps | 310 fps | 340 fps | 360 fps |
| 32 in | +20 fps | 320 fps | 350 fps | 370 fps |
These figures assume the rest of the IBO conditions hold: 70 lb draw weight and a 350 grain arrow. Real arrows are heavier, which costs about another 1 fps per 3 grains. The IBO speed chart works the full conversion through.
Signs your draw length is wrong
Too long is the far more common error, partly because a longer draw buys speed and partly because bows are often sold set near the top of their range. The symptoms are consistent: the bow arm locks out and the string catches the forearm, the release hand ends up behind the ear instead of against the jaw, the head cranes forward to reach the peep, and the front shoulder rides up. Groups scatter horizontally and the shoulder complains after a session.
Too short is less damaging but still costly. The draw feels cramped, the elbow of the drawing arm collapses inward, back tension is hard to find, and speed drops by 10 fps per inch. Some archers deliberately run a quarter to a half inch short for stability in the wind or in a treestand, which is a defensible choice as long as it is a choice.
If the wingspan calculation puts you between two settings, take the shorter one. A slightly short draw is a form annoyance. A long one is a form problem you will be fighting for as long as you own the bow. Our draw length calculator runs the arithmetic and flags the half-inch rounding for you.
Draw length for growing archers
Youth draw length changes fast enough that measuring once is not enough. Re-check at least annually, and more often through a growth spurt. This is the practical argument for buying a youth or crossover compound with a very wide adjustment range rather than a bow that fits perfectly today: a package covering 19 to 29 inches of draw and 25 to 50 lb of weight follows an archer for several seasons rather than one.
Set draw weight conservatively while you are at it. A young archer who can barely draw a bow will develop compensations that outlast the bow, and draw weight is the easiest thing in archery to add later. Our draw weight calculator gives starting ranges by body weight and experience, and the general safety rule applies at every age: if you cannot draw the bow smoothly while seated, without pointing it skyward, it is too heavy.
How draw length feeds the rest of the setup
Draw length sets arrow length, and arrow length is one of the two largest inputs to dynamic spine. An archer at 29 inches of draw with a 30 inch arrow needs a noticeably stiffer shaft than an archer at 27 inches with a 28 inch arrow, even at identical draw weight. Once you have a confirmed draw length, take it to the arrow spine chart and the spine calculator before ordering shafts.
Related tools and charts
- Draw length calculator: wingspan method with a sanity check
- Draw weight calculator: what you should actually be pulling
- Arrow spine calculator: the next step once draw length is confirmed
- Arrow spine chart: spine by draw weight and arrow length
- IBO speed chart: turning a rated speed into a real one
Frequently asked questions
How do you measure draw length from wingspan?
Stand relaxed against a wall with your arms out to the sides, palms forward, and have someone measure fingertip to fingertip. Divide that wingspan in inches by 2.5 and round to the nearest half inch. A 70 inch wingspan gives 28 inches of draw length. Keep the shoulders down and do not stretch, because reaching adds an inch or two of wingspan and produces a draw length you cannot shoot well.
Is draw length the same as arrow length?
No. Draw length is a bow measurement defined from the nock groove at full draw to the pivot point of the grip, plus 1.75 inches. Arrow length is the shaft you actually cut. For a compound most archers cut arrows 1 to 2 inches longer than draw length so the point clears the rest, and traditional shooters usually go 2 inches or more past draw length for the same reason plus a safety margin.
What happens if my draw length is too long?
Too long is the more common and more damaging error. It pushes the bow arm into a locked elbow, drags the string against the forearm, forces the head to lean forward off the string, and destroys the consistency of the anchor. Groups open up, string slap becomes routine, and shoulder strain follows. If in doubt, set draw length half an inch shorter than the calculation suggests.
Does draw length affect arrow speed?
Substantially. Every inch of draw length is roughly 10 fps on a compound, because a longer power stroke means the string acts on the arrow for longer. A bow rated at 330 fps IBO at the 30 inch reference draw is nearer 300 fps for a 27 inch shooter with the same arrow. That is why two archers with identical bows can chronograph 30 fps apart and neither is wrong.
How is compound draw length officially measured?
The ATA standard, formerly AMO, measures from the nock groove on the string at full draw to the pivot point of the grip, then adds 1.75 inches. Pro shops usually measure it with a draw length arrow marked in inches, shot from a draw board or drawn under supervision. Manufacturer modules and cams are labelled to this standard, so a bow set to 29 inches means 29 inches by this definition.
What draw length should a child use?
Use the same wingspan divided by 2.5 method, then re-measure at least once a year because it changes quickly. Youth bows with wide adjustment ranges are the sensible purchase for exactly this reason: a bow covering 19 to 29 inches follows a growing archer for years. Start light on draw weight, prioritise a comfortable anchor, and have the fit checked by a coach or pro shop.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, verified owner reviews, and pro shop guidance. We do not test gear in person. Draw weight and arrow spine affect safety, so follow your bow manufacturer's specifications and have setup work checked by a qualified pro shop.