Bow String Length Calculator

For a 60-inch recurve bow, the bowstring length calculator recommend a string length of 57 inches, accounting for the bow’s design and draw weight.

Bow String Length Chart

Bow String Length Calculation Formula

String Length = AMO Length - 4 inches

This is a starting point, and fine-tuning may be necessary. The actual string length is often slightly shorter to account for stretching.

Example: For a 70-inch longbow:

• String Length = 70″ – 4″ = 66″
• Actual string length might be 65.5″ to allow for stretching

How to Measure Bow String Length?

• Unstring the bow
• Measure from one string groove to the other along the bow’s back
• Subtract 4 inches from this measurement for AMO standard
• For recurve and longbows, measure along the curves
• For compound bows, measure from axle to axle

The measurement along a recurve bow's back is 68 inches:

AMO length = 68″

String length = 68″ – 4″ = 64″

Actual string length (accounting for stretch) ≈ 63.5″