Bow ProShop
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Choosing a Draw Weight
Choosing a Draw Weight
COMFORT is above and beyond the most important part of setting your draw weight. To fully enjoy
shooting, setting your bow at a heavier draw weight is not recommended. Shooting a compound bow
should be enjoyable. A good rule-of-thumb is to choose a draw weight that requires about 75% of
your "maximum" strength. If your bow is too heavy, and you can only shoot a few times before
you're fatigued, then you'll be reluctant to practice and improve your game. But you also want your
bow to shoot with as much speed and power as possible, so you shouldn't choose too little weight
either. Again, the right balance between comfort and performance - for YOU - will probably be at
your "75%" mark.
All things in Moderation
However, you may not want to choose an excessively light draw weight either (being "under-bowed").
Heavier draw weights will undoubtedly yield better kinetic energy (penetration) and quicker arrow
velocities with less parabolic arc in flight. In fact, some states require a compound bow to meet
certain draw weight minimums in order to hunt large game like Whitetail Deer. Check with your
state's governing agencies, and always observe the rules and regulations for legally harvesting game
in your state.
The "archery muscles" used to draw a bow are primarily large muscle groups in your upper back (the
same muscles you use to row a boat or pull-start a lawn mower). Most people don't specifically
work to exercise these muscles. So you will probably find that once you do put them to work, your
"archery muscles" will gain strength quickly and drawing your bow will become easier over time.
Fortunately, most bows come with at least 10 lbs. of draw weight adjustment, some bows come with
more adjustment. So if you are a new shooter, you may wish to begin with your bow set at a lower
draw weight - and gradually "crank-up" the draw weight as you become more conditioned.
General Recommendations
Here are some general guidelines for choosing an appropriate draw weight. Of course, each
individual is different. You should apply your common sense here and interpret this chart with due
respect to your own age, general physical condition, and Body Mass Index (BMI).
Recommended Draw Weight Ranges (Modern Compound Bows)
Very Small Child (55-70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs.
Small Child (70-100 lbs.) 15-25 lbs.
Larger Child (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.
Small Frame Women (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.
Medium Frame Women (130-160 lbs) 30-40 lbs.
Athletic Older Child (Boys 130-150 lbs.) 40-50 lbs.
Small Frame Men (120-150 lbs.) 45-55 lbs.
Large Frame Women (160+ lbs.) 45-55 lbs.
Medium Frame Men (150-180 lbs.) 55-65 lbs.
Large Frame Men (180+ lbs.) 65-75 lbs.
Note: Not all bows are created equal regarding draw weights. High-performance compound bows
with hard-cams and high IBO speeds will "feel" as if they are heavier, since the bow's powercurve is
more aggressive (ramping to peak weight more quickly and letting-off later). Bows with
round-wheels or soft-draw cams will similarly "feel" a little lighter, as the bow's powercurve is
smoother and more gradual.
COMFORT is above and beyond the most important part of setting your draw weight. To fully enjoy
shooting, setting your bow at a heavier draw weight is not recommended. Shooting a compound bow
should be enjoyable. A good rule-of-thumb is to choose a draw weight that requires about 75% of
your "maximum" strength. If your bow is too heavy, and you can only shoot a few times before
you're fatigued, then you'll be reluctant to practice and improve your game. But you also want your
bow to shoot with as much speed and power as possible, so you shouldn't choose too little weight
either. Again, the right balance between comfort and performance - for YOU - will probably be at
your "75%" mark.
All things in Moderation
However, you may not want to choose an excessively light draw weight either (being "under-bowed").
Heavier draw weights will undoubtedly yield better kinetic energy (penetration) and quicker arrow
velocities with less parabolic arc in flight. In fact, some states require a compound bow to meet
certain draw weight minimums in order to hunt large game like Whitetail Deer. Check with your
state's governing agencies, and always observe the rules and regulations for legally harvesting game
in your state.
The "archery muscles" used to draw a bow are primarily large muscle groups in your upper back (the
same muscles you use to row a boat or pull-start a lawn mower). Most people don't specifically
work to exercise these muscles. So you will probably find that once you do put them to work, your
"archery muscles" will gain strength quickly and drawing your bow will become easier over time.
Fortunately, most bows come with at least 10 lbs. of draw weight adjustment, some bows come with
more adjustment. So if you are a new shooter, you may wish to begin with your bow set at a lower
draw weight - and gradually "crank-up" the draw weight as you become more conditioned.
General Recommendations
Here are some general guidelines for choosing an appropriate draw weight. Of course, each
individual is different. You should apply your common sense here and interpret this chart with due
respect to your own age, general physical condition, and Body Mass Index (BMI).
Recommended Draw Weight Ranges (Modern Compound Bows)
Very Small Child (55-70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs.
Small Child (70-100 lbs.) 15-25 lbs.
Larger Child (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.
Small Frame Women (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.
Medium Frame Women (130-160 lbs) 30-40 lbs.
Athletic Older Child (Boys 130-150 lbs.) 40-50 lbs.
Small Frame Men (120-150 lbs.) 45-55 lbs.
Large Frame Women (160+ lbs.) 45-55 lbs.
Medium Frame Men (150-180 lbs.) 55-65 lbs.
Large Frame Men (180+ lbs.) 65-75 lbs.
Note: Not all bows are created equal regarding draw weights. High-performance compound bows
with hard-cams and high IBO speeds will "feel" as if they are heavier, since the bow's powercurve is
more aggressive (ramping to peak weight more quickly and letting-off later). Bows with
round-wheels or soft-draw cams will similarly "feel" a little lighter, as the bow's powercurve is
smoother and more gradual.
Archery Library:
Correct Arrow Length
Discusion on Arrow Length
Arrow Speed
Measuring Draw Length
Discusion on Draw Length
Selecting Draw Weight
Eye Dominance
Tuning LongBows/Recurves
Correct Arrow Length
Discusion on Arrow Length
Arrow Speed
Measuring Draw Length
Discusion on Draw Length
Selecting Draw Weight
Eye Dominance
Tuning LongBows/Recurves
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