What is brace height on a bow?

Brace height is the shortest distance from the bowstring to the deepest part of the grip when the bow is strung and at rest. It affects the string's starting position and how the bow behaves during the shot. Measure it with a bow square before comparing settings or adjusting a recurve.

Measuring from the right reference

Clip a bow square to the string and read the perpendicular distance to the grip's pivot point. Use the deepest part of the grip, not its forward edge or the arrow rest. Hold the bow without pulling the string, and check that the limbs and string loops are seated correctly.

Brace height is different from draw length, which describes the bow at full draw. It is also different from tiller, the comparison between string-to-limb measurements above and below the riser.

Target recurve settings often fall around 8 to 9.5 inches [20 to 24 cm], depending on bow length and design. Short traditional recurves and compounds can use lower figures, so borrowing another bow's setting can put yours outside its limits. Start with the recommended range for your exact riser and limbs.

Speed, sound, and forgiveness

At a given draw length, a lower brace height gives the string a longer distance to travel toward its resting position. In otherwise comparable designs, that can increase speed and leave more time for movement during the release to affect the arrow. Here, forgiveness means how much a small release or bow-hand error changes the impact.

A brace-height number alone cannot predict how accurately you will shoot a bow. Limb behavior, grip fit, and your release all affect the result. On a recurve, changes can alter sound, vibration, and arrow clearance. A quieter setting is worth testing, but verify it with arrow flight and groups.

Treat compound brace height as a manufacturer specification. Changing strings or cables to chase a different measurement can also change cam timing and draw length. Have a technician investigate a compound that measures outside its specifications.

Adjusting a recurve

  1. Record the current measurement and check the bow and string manufacturers' allowed settings.
  2. Unstring the bow with a suitable bow stringer. Adding string twists generally raises brace height; removing twists generally lowers it. Stay within the permitted twist range.
  3. Restring, check limb-tip seating, and measure again. Make small changes rather than assuming a fixed height change per twist.
  4. Shoot controlled groups, then record sound, clearance, and the measurement. Recheck after the string settles.

Keep the arrows and plunger settings unchanged during the comparison. If you cannot reach the recommended brace height with an acceptable number of twists, check the string length. Do not solve the problem by using an almost untwisted or excessively twisted string.

Questions

Does a higher brace height always make a bow more forgiving?

Higher brace height can shorten the string's travel during the shot, but that does not guarantee smaller groups. Comparing different bow models introduces many other variables. For your recurve, test within its specified range and judge the result by repeatable groups, clean clearance, and comfortable bow behavior.

Why did my brace height change between sessions?

A new string can settle, and twists can escape when you remove or store it. Changes in the assembled setup can affect the measurement too. Check brace height after stringing the bow, keep the string loops secured during storage, and compare measurements taken from the same grip reference.

Can I fix string slap by raising brace height?

An adjustment within the recommended range may affect clearance, but string slap also depends on grip, bow-arm position, and fit. Check technique with a coach and wear an armguard. Do not raise brace height beyond the bow's limits to compensate for an unresolved form or setup problem.