About the Author: Austin Murphy is a skilled hunter with a passion for archery. With 17+ years of experience, he possesses extensive knowledge of various archery equipment, including the compound bow, recurve bow, and crossbow. His expertise in these accessories allows him to pursue his love for archery while honing his hunting skills with precision and finesse. As participant in NFAA and ASA competitions, Austin own around 8 Recurve Bows, 6 Compound Bows, and 2 Crossbows.
How fast do arrows fly from a compound bow? The average speed of an arrow shot from a “compound bow” is 225 fps (153mph) to 370 fps (252mph). Also, note that the accuracy and precision of a shot taken from a compound bow are mostly due to its high-speed arrows.
More on How Fast Do Arrows Fly from a Compound Bow?
The speed of the arrows shot from a compound bow depends upon the quality and type of the compound bow and arrow. The average speed of the arrows shot from a high-quality compound bow lies between 225 to 370 feet per second (as mentioned). It should also be noted that the average speed of the arrows shot from a compound bow is much higher than the speed of arrows shot from any other type of bow.
The speed of the arrow depends upon the quality of the bow as well as the quality and weight of the arrow. The lighter the arrow is, the faster it is going to fly.
Read More: How to Tune a Compound Bow
Calculating the Speed of the Arrows:
To calculate how fast do the arrows fly from a compound bow, you need to know a few technical details about your compound bow and arrow.
First of all, you need to find out the draw length and draw weight of your bow. It should be noted that the draw weight as well as the draw length of your bow is adjustable so if you want to make your arrow go faster then you just have to adjust these factors according to the speed you want. Although you must keep in mind that doing so might compromise the accuracy of your shot.
Other than these two factors, the speed of the arrows also depends upon the weight of the arrow which means that a lightweight arrow has the capability to go much faster than a heavier arrow.
You can put these values in the following formula to calculate the speed of your arrow:
Arrow speed (in feet per second) = IBO+(L−30)×10−W/3 +min(0,−(A−5D/3)
In this formula:
L stands for draw length
D stands for draw weight
A stands for weight of the arrow
W stands for additional weight
The speed of the arrow can also be found with the help of a chronograph.
You might be interested in: Learn about arrow speeds achieved with a compound bow in our article on Arrow Speeds from a Compound Bow.
Example of Arrow speed Calculations:
| Draw Length (L) | Draw Weight (D) | Arrow Weight (A) | Additional Weight (W) | Arrow Speed (feet per second) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 50 | 350 | 5 | 290.833 |
| 30 | 60 | 400 | 0 | 340 |
| 32 | 70 | 450 | 10 | 372.222 |
| 29 | 55 | 375 | 8 | 303.333 |
| 31 | 65 | 425 | 3 | 346.111 |
| 27 | 45 | 325 | 2 | 275.833 |
| 33 | 75 | 475 | 12 | 403.333 |
| 28 | 55 | 400 | 5 | 317.5 |
| 30 | 65 | 450 | 0 | 365 |
| 32 | 75 | 500 | 8 | 394.444 |
| 29 | 60 | 425 | 4 | 324.444 |
| 31 | 70 | 475 | 10 | 365.556 |
| 27 | 50 | 375 | 6 | 297.5 |
| 33 | 80 | 525 | 2 | 424.444 |
| 28 | 60 | 425 | 0 | 340 |
| 30 | 70 | 475 | 6 | 381.111 |
| 32 | 80 | 525 | 4 | 408.889 |
| 29 | 65 | 450 | 9 | 342.778 |
| 31 | 75 | 500 | 1 | 379.444 |
| 27 | 55 | 400 | 7 | 303.333 |
Read More: How to Adjust the Draw Weight on a Compound Bow
How Certain Factors Affect Arrow Speed:
There are certain factors that do affect arrow speed! Here are those:
Draw Length:
It is the distance between the nock point and the grip of the bow. The draw length of the compound bow is adjusted according to the shooter’s physique.
You can experiment with different draw lengths to find the most appropriate one. Having a proper draw length allows you to shoot more accurately and comfortably. It is also one of the factors which affect the speed of your arrow which means that the shorter the draw length is the slower will be the speed of the arrow.
In order to increase the speed of your arrows you can increase the draw length but you should keep in mind that having a draw length that is not compatible with your physique can cause difficulties while shooting which can compromise the accuracy of your shot.
Draw Weight:
It is the force that is required to draw the compound bow. Just like the draw length, the draw weight is also an adjustable feature of the compound bow.
It is very important to have a proper draw weight which can be handled easily by the shooter because if you can not draw your bow easily then the accuracy of the compound bow will be compromised. It is also one of the factors which affect the speed of your arrows which means that a higher draw weight will result in a faster arrow speed.
You can increase the draw weight to increase the speed of your arrow. However, the draw weight should not exceed your physical strength or else it will be very difficult to draw the bow and you won’t be able to take precise and accurate shots.
Arrow Weight:
The speed of the arrows does not only depend upon the features of the bow but it also depends upon the arrow itself. A lightweight arrow has a much higher speed than a heavier one. That is why it is important to buy lightweight and reliable arrows.
I would recommend you to buy the arrows made up of aluminum because they are relatively lighter and faster than the others. They are also reliable and affordable.
String Accessories:
The accessories which are placed on the string to help with the accuracy of the shot ends up slowing the arrow. This additional weight on the bow string has an adverse effect on the speed of the arrow.
How Can I Increase the Speed of My Arrows?
There are some tips that you can use to increase the speed of your arrows instead of affecting it!
Read More: How to Adjust the Draw Weight on a Compound Bow
Draw Weight:
If you want to increase the speed of your arrow then you can increase the draw weight of your compound bow. But you should also make sure that the draw weight is manageable by you or else the efficiency and the accuracy of the compound bow will be compromised.
Arrow Weight:
Another factor that has a profound effect on the speed of your arrow is the arrow weight. You must have lightweight arrows for your bow if you want to have high-speed arrows. You should also make sure that the quality of the arrows is not compromised and that they are reliable and strong. It is recommended to buy aluminum arrows for your compound bow as they are lightweight, reliable and affordable.
Bow Efficiency:
It is the energy loss that contributes to the decrease in the output of the bow. It depends upon the design of the compound bow, the thickness of the string, and other bow accessories placed on the bow string.
In order to increase the speed of your arrows you must increase the efficiency of your bow. To increase the efficiency of your bow you must make sure that the string is made up of thin and lightweight material. You should also not place any extra accessories on the string.
You should keep in mind that if you are used to shooting with the help of bowstring accessories then not having them on your bowstring might compromise the accuracy of your shot.
You might be interested in: Discover the formula-based calculation for the shooting range of a compound bow in our article on Compound Bow Shooting Range Formula.
String and Cable Upgrades:
To shoot a high-speed arrow from your compound bow you must upgrade your bowstring to a thinner and lighter bowstring that will move fast and will transfer more energy to the arrow in a shorter amount of time. This is because the speed of the arrow depends upon the amount of energy transferred to it from the bowstring.
Arrow Spine:
Your arrow must have an appropriate arrow spine. This is because if the spine is too stiff then it can lose its speed instantly, while if the arrow is under-spined then there is a very high chance of it going off-course. It is generally recommended to shoot arrows with a 500-spine rating.
Broadhead Selection:
Before choosing your arrows you must consider the specific purpose of the arrows. If you are choosing an arrow for target shooting then it is better to buy target arrows because they are specifically designed for precision and high velocity. Whereas if you want to buy arrows which are more accurate then you should go for the broadhead arrows.
Proper Shooting Form:
Having a proper shooting form is very important for archery as well as hunting. It includes standing properly, having a compound bow with appropriate draw weight and draw length, and having a firm grip on the bow. Adjusting these factors will not only increase the accuracy of your shots but it will also increase the velocity of your arrow.
Is Arrow Speed Important?
Yes, the speed of your arrow is very important for target shooting. A high-speed arrow has a flatter trajectory, it is not much affected by the wind, it flies straight towards the target and it covers a longer range. All of these factors contribute to increasing the efficiency and accuracy of your shooting.
Although, it is important to have a balance between arrow speed and the setup of your bow because both of these factors are responsible for providing you with consistent accuracy. If you favor one of these factors over the other then it can compromise the efficiency and accuracy of your compound bow.
Read More: How Long Does a Compound Bow Last?
What are the Advantages of Shooting Faster Arrows?
There are many to be honest but some notable are:
Flatter Trajectory:
The arrows which fly faster are less likely to drop down on their way to the target. This allows you to shoot accurately at longer distances and you do not have to adjust your sight often.
Increased Accuracy:
Because of the high-speed and flatter trajectory these arrows are much more accurate than the slower ones.
Extended Effective Range:
The range which is covered by an arrow depends upon its speed. The slower arrows drop down after covering only a few meters whereas the high-speed arrows allow you to shoot at an extended effective range.
You might be interested in: Get started with shooting a compound bow with this comprehensive guide on Shooting a Compound Bow.
Improved Penetration:
It is a scientifically proven fact that a faster moving object penetrates deeper at impact than a slower moving object. Likewise a high-speed arrow will penetrate much deeper into your target. This factor is very advantageous for hunting as it provides you with clean and quick kills.
Reduced Archer’s Paradox:
The natural bending of the arrow as it leaves the bow compromises the accuracy of the bow. Using a high-speed arrow reduces this factor considerably. There are also some other techniques which are used to reduce archer’s paradox and allow the arrow to fly straight towards its target.
Faster Bow Recovery:
If the arrow leaves the bow at high-speed then it takes no time at all for the bow to recover. This way by using a high-speed arrow you can shoot your compound bow many times in a short amount of time.
Increased Hunting Efficiency:
All of these preceding factors tend to increase your hunting efficiency. A high-speed arrow flies straight towards the target without bending or dropping down. It penetrates deeper into the target and provides you with quick and clean kills. It also allows you to take multiple shots in a short amount of time because of increased recovery of the compound bow.
You might be interested in: Understand the lifespan of a compound bow’s string and when to replace it in our article on Compound Bow String Lifespan.
What are the Disadvantages of Shooting Faster Arrows?
Some notable disadvantages are:
Read More: Choosing the Perfect Bow: How to Choose a Compound Bow Like a Pro
Increased Noise:
High-speed arrows are noisier than the slower ones because they cause more sound while cutting through the wind and this factor can harm your hunting. Not only can it give away your cover but the noise can also alert the animal and scare it away.
Higher Recoil:
When you shoot a high-speed arrow from your compound bow it will result in an increased recoil. An increased recoil can compromise the accuracy and cause problems in archer’s follow through. However, the compound bow is designed in such a way that it has a minimum recoil.
Reduced Forgiveness:
Using a high-speed arrow makes your compound bow more sensitive to errors. It means that a slight difference in the form, draw weight or draw length can considerably decrease the accuracy of your compound bow.
Greater Bow Stress:
Some of the factors such as a high-speed arrow, excessive draw weight or a higher recoil can cause considerable strain on your compound bow after the shot is taken. This might harm your bow and reduce its efficiency.
Arrow Cost:
High-speed arrows with an appropriate spine usually cost more than the slower arrows. It is because they are made up of some high quality material such as aluminum.
Increased Arrow Tuning Complexity:
Adjustment of these high-speed arrows is very complex and difficult. You have to adjust the arrow spine, length, weight, and arrow point to achieve optimal performance.
Decreased forgiveness on Target:
If you are using a high-speed arrow then not only is your bow sensitive to errors but your target as well. This can be more challenging for the archers to shoot accurately.
Read More: Untwisting the Myth: How Many Twists Are in a Compound Bow String?
Related FAQs
Does arrow speed affect your effective range?
Yes, an arrow with greater speed allows you to shoot at a much longer distance than a slower one. This is because a high-speed arrow has a flatter trajectory, it does not drop down and wind doesn’t slow it down either.
How far can an arrow travel?
It depends upon a lot of factors such as the draw weight and draw length of the bow. Other than that it also depends upon the speed and weight of the arrow. However, the average distance which can be covered by a high-speed arrow is 30 to 40 yards.
How fast does an arrow have to travel to kill a deer?
The average speed at which an arrow must travel to kill a deer is 370 feet per second. Obviously, it goes without saying that the faster the arrow is the better it is for hunting. A fast arrow penetrates deeper into the target and provides you with quick and clean kills.
What is the maximum bow speed?
The maximum speed of a high quality compound bow is around 370 feet per second. You must keep in mind that there are many kinds of compound bows available which provide different arrow speeds.
What is the average speed of a compound bow?
The average speed of a compound bow lies between 270 to 370 feet per second. It should be noted that this is the average speed of a high quality, accurate and efficient compound bow.
Do heavier arrows fly faster?
No, heavier arrows do not fly fast in fact the speed of the arrow depends upon how light it is. If you want high-speed arrows then you must buy lightweight arrows with an appropriate spine.
Do arrows hit harder than bullets?
The arrow causes much more damage to the target than an arrow. If your arrow flies fast and is shot from an efficient compound bow then it can penetrate very deep into your target but it will still not hit harder than a bullet.
Read More: How to Adjust the Draw Weight on a Compound Bow
Ending Note on Arrow Speed:
The speed of your arrow depends upon a lot of factors which include the draw weight, draw length, and arrow weight. In order to make your arrow go faster you can make reasonable adjustments to these factors.
It should be noted that in order to preserve the accuracy of the bow you have to maintain a balance between the arrow speed and the overall setup of your bow.
A high-speed arrow can provide you with an extended effective range to shoot. It also penetrates deeper, flies straight toward the target, and enhances accuracy.
