Arrow Speed Calculator

Arrow speed varies widely depending on the bow and setup. A typical compound bow shoots arrows between 250 and 340 fps (feet per second). High-performance bows can push past 350 fps, while traditional recurve bows generally produce speeds between 150 and 220 fps. Your actual speed depends on draw length, draw weight, and arrow weight.

IBO stands for International Bowhunting Organization. The IBO rating is a standardized arrow speed measured under controlled conditions: a 30-inch draw length, 70-pound draw weight, and a 350-grain arrow. Most bow manufacturers advertise their bows using this rating, so it's a useful baseline for comparison even though most archers don't shoot at exactly these settings.

You can use this Arrow Speed Calculator to estimate your velocity based on your bow's IBO rating and your personal settings. The formula adjusts speed by +/- 10 fps per inch of draw length from 30", approximately 2 fps per pound of draw weight from 70 lbs, and approximately 3 fps per 30 grains of arrow weight from 350 grains. While a chronograph gives you the most accurate reading, this method provides a very close estimate for most compound bow setups.

A chronograph (sometimes called a chrono or speed meter) is the standard device used to measure arrow speed. You shoot the arrow through two light gates spaced a known distance apart, and the device calculates velocity in fps. Many archery shops have one, and portable units are widely available for home use.

Generally, every 10 pounds of draw weight above or below 70 lbs changes arrow speed by roughly 15–20 fps. The more force stored and released by the limbs, the faster the arrow accelerates down the arrow rest. This is why heavier draw weights produce faster, flatter-shooting arrows — at the cost of greater physical effort from the archer.

Draw length has a significant impact on speed. As a rule of thumb, each 1-inch deviation from the 30-inch IBO standard changes arrow speed by approximately 10 fps — longer draw lengths increase speed, shorter draw lengths reduce it. This is because a longer draw creates more stored energy in the limbs and a longer power stroke for the arrow.

The biggest factors influencing arrow speed are draw weight, draw length, and arrow weight. Heavier arrows fly slower because more energy is needed to move them. Beyond those three, accessories like string silencers, heavy stabilizers, and heavier strings can also reduce speed slightly. Proper tuning and consistent shooting form will help you achieve your bow's maximum potential speed.

Kinetic energy (KE) is the energy an arrow carries in flight, calculated from its mass and velocity. In archery, KE determines penetration power — particularly important for hunting. A minimum of 25 ft-lbs is generally recommended for small game, 40+ ft-lbs for deer-sized animals, and 65+ ft-lbs for larger game like elk. Heavier arrows at the same speed carry more kinetic energy and tend to penetrate better than lighter, faster arrows.