Arrow length calculator

Define arrow length before ordering a cut

Arrow length commonly means the distance from the throat of the nock to the end of the shaft, often called an AMO-style measurement. The throat is the bottom of the groove where the string sits. The projecting point is excluded in this convention, although some charts and sellers use a length that includes it.

Bare shaft cut length is a different measurement. It runs along the shaft material and excludes the nock extension. An overall tip-to-tail length differs again. When you order arrows, ask which measurement the seller uses and give the reference points with the number. For example, specify 29 in from the nock throat to the shaft end if that is the measurement you want.

For an existing arrow, place it beside a ruler and identify both endpoints before reading the scale. Record whether the point is included. Keep the same convention when comparing a current arrow with a proposed replacement so that a different nock or point does not create a misleading length difference.

Start with a fitted draw length

Use the draw length you actually shoot. The draw length calculator can estimate it from wingspan, but an estimate is too uncertain to serve as a final cutting instruction. Confirm bow fit and your anchor before committing to shaft length.

For recurve and barebow, about 1 to 2 in longer than draw length is a common starting point. If the fitted draw length is 28 in, that suggests considering roughly 29 to 30 in under the stated arrow-length convention. Your bow, rest, and shooting style still decide whether that length works.

For a compound, a common starting clearance is for the shaft to end about 1 in past the front of the rest at full draw. Draw length alone cannot locate that point, because rest position varies. Check the actual distance on the bow instead of assuming that adding an inch to the module setting guarantees clearance.

Read the draw length definition if you are comparing measurements from different tools. Draw length and nock-to-shaft-end length use different reference points and should stay labeled in your notes.

Check the shaft at full draw with help

1. Have a qualified shop or coach use a suitable long measuring arrow or an arrow already known to be safely long enough. Do not test an unknown short shaft by drawing it to see what happens.
2. Use the bow, rest, release or finger setup, and anchor you intend to shoot. Keep the bow aimed at a suitable target and follow the fitter's instructions.
3. Have the fitter observe the shaft end relative to the rest at full draw. Keep hands and measuring tools out of the arrow path while the bow is drawn.
4. Let down under control before inspecting marks or taking close measurements. Never release the string without a suitable arrow.
5. Confirm the proposed cut still leaves the required support and clearance, then check the finished arrow again before normal shooting.

The shaft must remain supported through your full draw. The point extending forward does not make an unsupported shaft safe. If you are unsure whether the shaft stays on the arrow rest, stop and have the setup checked before shooting it.

Recurve draw length can change as an archer learns a more consistent anchor and alignment. Leave the final length decision to a fitting that allows for the actual shooting position. A single shortened practice draw gives poor evidence for how much shaft can safely be removed.

Why the rest position changes the answer

An overdraw places the arrow support farther back toward the string. That changes the minimum shaft reach needed at full draw and can allow a shorter arrow in a correctly designed setup. With an overdraw, the fitter needs to locate the support point on the bow before deciding how much shaft can be cut.

Do not move a rest rearward simply to make a short arrow usable. Rest travel, mounting limits, and point clearance need to meet the equipment instructions. A shop should evaluate the whole arrangement, including the position of any broadhead relative to the bow hand and nearby equipment.

Changing to another rest can change the support point even when the bow's draw length remains the same. Repeat the full-draw check after that change. An arrow that fit one configuration does not automatically fit the next.

Length also affects spine and component choices

Cutting a shaft shorter generally makes that shaft behave stiffer during the shot. This is one reason to check the manufacturer's arrow spine recommendations using the intended final length and point weight. The shortest safely supported arrow is not automatically the best choice for tuning.

A longer shaft also adds mass according to its grains per inch. That can change the finished weight and balance, but weight savings should not decide a safety clearance. Start with a suitable shaft and usable length, then evaluate the rest of the build.

If you use a clicker, its working position must fit the arrow and your repeatable draw. For barebow, arrow length can also affect the aiming picture when you use the arrow tip as a reference. Tell the fitter how you aim and whether you use a clicker before agreeing on the final cut.

Give the shop a measurement it can reproduce

Record the agreed nock-to-shaft-end length, the exact nock, and the shaft model. Ask the shop to confirm its cutting convention before processing a full set. Have one finished arrow checked for length, component fit, and full-draw support before using it as the reference for the others.

A cut cannot be undone by swapping to a longer point. If your draw length increases or your rest moves, recheck the shaft itself. Set aside arrows that no longer have the required clearance until a qualified fitter confirms a safe configuration.

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