What’s The Best Size For Your Recurve Bow?

The best size for your recurve bow is at least twice your draw length. But, depending on your personal preference and draw weight, you may have to add a few more inches.

If your draw length is 28″, you can buy a recurve bow that is 56″-60″ inches. However, for most archers, the sweet spot lies between 66–68 inches, which is slightly less than 2.5 times the draw length.

Choosing the best size for your recurve bow requires some trial and error. But you have to start by knowing your draw length and draw weight.

Let’s learn about these technical terms in detail.

💡 You can use our draw length calculator to understand your draw length with ease.

What is a draw length?

It is the distance an archer pulls the string back when shooting.

Draw length is the first thing you determine when you start archery. If you decide on a draw length that’s too short for you, you will have to hunch, which won’t give you smooth shots. Select a longer draw length, and you will have to stretch your upper body and back, which could also significantly affect the accuracy of shots.

How do you calculate your draw length?

The simplest formula to calculate your draw length is dividing your wingspan by 2.5.

Here are the three simple steps to measure your draw length.

1. Stand with your arms out to the sides of your body. Keep your body straight and your arms at shoulder level.
2. Ask someone to measure the distance between the tips of your right-hand fingers and your left-hand fingers.
3. Divide it by 2.5. That’s it!

Let’s say your wingspan is 70″. Divide it by 2.5, and you will get 28”, which is your draw length.

💡 You can use our draw length calculator to avoid the calculation part.

Now, let’s look at the second factor that determines the size of the recurve bow that would be ideal for you.

What is a draw weight?

Draw weight is the amount of force needed to pull the string to a full draw. It indicates the power of the bow and is typically represented in pounds.

Here are three things you need to know about draw weight.

• The higher the draw weight, the faster the arrow will travel.
• Higher draw weight requires more strength and may not be ideal for beginners.
• You must use your ideal draw weight to get better control and consistency while shooting.

Draw weight is usually mentioned on the bows.

What draw weight is ideal for you?

Unlike draw length, there is no standard formula for calculating the ideal draw weight. It depends on your skills and strength.

If you are new to archery, start with a lighter draw weight of 20-30lbs. Choose something that’s no more than 50-60% of your strength. Increase your poundage gradually as you gain experience.

Typically, experienced archers use a bow with a draw weight of at least 50 lbs.

💡 Use our draw weight calculator to find out your ideal draw weight.

How draw weight affects arrow speed and trajectory

Understanding how draw weight influences arrow performance is crucial when choosing your recurve bow. Here’s what you need to know:

• Arrow Speed: Higher draw weights generate more energy, resulting in faster arrow speeds. This can lead to flatter trajectories and potentially more accurate shots at longer distances.
• Trajectory: Arrows shot from bows with higher draw weights typically have a flatter trajectory. This means less arrow drop over distance, which can make aiming easier, especially for longer shots.
• Energy Transfer: A higher draw weight transfers more energy to the arrow, which can be beneficial for hunting applications where penetration is important.

Remember, while higher draw weights offer some advantages, they also require more strength and can be more challenging to control, especially for beginners. It’s essential to find the right balance between power and your ability to shoot comfortably and accurately.

How to determine the best size for your recurve bow

As I said at the beginning of the article, your ideal recurve bow size can be anywhere between two to three times your draw length. While finalizing the size, keep in mind that it should also have the ideal draw weight.

Here’s a list of recommended recurve bow sizes based on standard draw lengths.

Your ideal bow length might vary from the sizes mentioned in the table. Whatever size you choose, make sure you feel comfortable using it.

Pros and Cons of Different Bow Sizes

When choosing your recurve bow size, consider these pros and cons:

Shorter Bows (60″ and under)

• Pros: More maneuverable, easier to transport, ideal for hunting in tight spaces
• Cons: Can be less forgiving, may lead to string pinch for archers with longer draw lengths

Medium Bows (62″-66″)

• Pros: Good balance of maneuverability and stability, suitable for various archery disciplines
• Cons: May still be too short for archers with very long draw lengths

Longer Bows (68″ and above)

• Pros: More stable, forgiving, smoother draw, ideal for target archery
• Cons: Less maneuverable, can be challenging to use in hunting situations with limited space

Please note – Longer bows are easier to use and give smoother shots. They are suitable for target shooting, but may not be comfortable for hunting. However, the longer the bow, the slower the speed of the arrow.

Three mistakes to avoid while deciding your recurve bow size

When choosing your recurve bow size, it’s easy to fall into some common traps. The three biggest mistakes archers make are basing their choice solely on height, age, or experience level. While these factors can provide some general guidance, they’re not reliable indicators for selecting the perfect bow size.

Below, we’ll dive deeper into why these approaches can lead you astray and what you should consider instead.

Don’t choose the length of the bow based on your height

The taller you are, the longer the draw length will be. That’s why most people assume a person’s height can directly be used to determine the size of the recurve bow.

While this is generally true, people’s arm spans, i.e., wing spans, don’t always match even if they have the same height.

Arm spans vary widely among people of the same height depending on genetics, ethnicity, age, and environmental factors. So, even if you and your friend have the same height, you might have different draw lengths and might need recurve bows of different sizes.

Don’t let your age determine your recurve bow size

People grow at different rates depending on genetic factors, nutritional availability, and physical activities. So, age can’t be used as a guideline for determining the ideal bow size.

Moreover, people of the same age can have different levels of strength, making draw weight and draw length the only two relevant factors.

Don’t let your experience determine the bow length

It is commonly assumed that beginners should start with a shorter bow, and they should increase the bow size as they progress.

That’s a myth.

I agree that shorter bows are easier to handle, especially for novice archers. But, if your bow is too short, you are more likely to develop improper shooting habits. Hunching repeatedly could also cause muscle strain.

Read my previous blog to find out if a recurve bow is suitable for beginners.

The importance of proper form

Regardless of the bow size you choose, maintaining proper form is crucial for accuracy, consistency, and injury prevention. Here are some key points to remember:

• Stance: Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, perpendicular to the target.
• Grip: Hold the bow lightly to avoid torquing it during release.
• Anchor Point: Consistently draw to the same point on your face for each shot.
• Back Tension: Use your back muscles, not just your arms, to hold the draw.
• Follow Through: Maintain your position after release until the arrow hits the target.

Remember, a properly sized bow will make it easier to maintain good form, but practice and consistency are key to developing proper technique.

How do you measure the length of the recurve bow?

Here’s a simple formula.

Length of the recurve bow = Length of the riser + Length of the limbs

I know it sounds obvious, but a recurve bow has curved limbs. You have to measure the bow along the contour of the limbs and the riser in its unstrung position.

The standard size for risers of recurve bow is 25″, but you can also find 23″ and 27″.

If you add standard-sized short limbs to the riser, your bow length could be around 66″. Add medium limbs to get a 68″ bow and long limbs for a 70″ bow.

Now, you don’t have to worry about measuring the bow size. Most manufacturers, including us, clearly mention the size and draw weight for your convenience.

Wrap up

Although draw length and draw weight are important, do not ignore comfort while selecting a recurve bow size. Remember, the right bow size can vary depending on your intended use, whether it’s target archery, field archery, or hunting. If you are still unable to determine the correct size, contact us at hello@silkroadbows.com.

Before you go, you might want to check out our list of best recurve bows for beginners.