If you love bowhunting, you might also be interested in the science behind it. Things like bow sights and arrows are designed using physics to help you hunt better. If you enjoy adjusting your gear, you’ve likely worked on improving its performance. Even small details, like arrow speed, can make a big difference in how well you hunt.
If you don’t have a chronograph, you can still find out how fast your arrows are going by using our arrow speed calculator. Just enter the necessary information and the calculator will give you accurate results within seconds. It’s a quick and easy way to measure arrow speed without any special equipment.
What is Arrow Speed?
Arrow speed refers to how fast an arrow moves toward its target after you release the bowstring. This speed is important because it impacts how correct your shot will be. When you pull back the bowstring and release it, the arrow flies through the air at a certain speed, helping it hit the target accurately.
Even older archery equipment, like recurve bows, compound bows, and longbows, can still shoot correctly. Although these bows have been around for a while, they can still achieve high arrow speeds that lead to right shots and successful hunts.
What is IBO Speed?
The IBO speed is a standard measure for how fast a bow can shoot. It was created by the International Bowhunter Organization. This speed is shown in feet per second (fps), and the higher the number, the faster the bow can shoot an arrow. This measurement shows the arrow speed if you follow these guidelines:
- Draw length of 30 inches
- Draw weight of 70 pounds
- Arrow weight of 350 grains
To compare bow speeds, you need to keep these factors the same. If you change any of these, the arrow speed will be different from the specified speed.
What is an Arrow Speed Calculator?
The arrow speed calculator is a free digital tool that helps you determine the real speed of an arrow after it’s shot from a bow. It uses the manufacturer’s IBO speed formula and other details related to your arrow setup to give you the actual speed.
The IBO speed rating offers a clear and reliable way to compare the speed potential of different bow models. However, it does not provide the real speed of an arrow, so most archers don’t use it.
That’s where this bow speed calculator is useful as it lets you see how the arrow will perform with different bow settings. Knowing the actual speed of an arrow helps bowhunters understand how their setup will perform.
Benefits of Using this Calculator
Our calculator offers unique features and many benefits to users. Some of them include:
- Quick & Accurate Results
The calculator provides fast and correct calculations of arrow speed. By entering your bow and arrow details, you get an immediate estimate of the arrow’s speed, allowing you to make quick adjustments to your equipment for better performance.
- Simple Interface
The bow fps calculator has an easy-to-use design, with a clear layout. This means you can easily input the required values without getting confused. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to use it. Its straightforward interface helps you find the information you need with minimal effort.
- Versatile
The calculator can handle different types of settings related to arrow speed. Whether you’re changing draw length, arrow weight, or other variables, it can adjust to provide accurate results, making it a flexible tool for all your bowhunting needs.
- Accessibility across Devices
You can use the arrow speed calculator on various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. This means you can access it from anywhere, whether you’re at home, in the field, or at the range, making it convenient to use whenever you need it.
Arrow Speed and Impact Time Table
The table below shows how long it takes for an arrow to hit the target at different speeds and distances and is taken from Toronto Archery Range, Canada.
| Distance (yards) | Arrow Speed (fps) | Flight Time (seconds) |
|---|---|---|
10 | 150 | 0.203 |
| 200 | 0.152 | |
| 300 | 0.102 | |
| 325 | 0.094 | |
20 | 150 | 0.412 |
| 200 | 0.309 | |
| 300 | 0.206 | |
| 325 | 0.190 | |
30 | 150 | 0.628 |
| 200 | 0.471 | |
| 300 | 0.314 | |
| 325 | 0.290 | |
40 | 150 | 0.849 |
| 200 | 0.637 | |
| 300 | 0.425 | |
| 325 | 0.392 |
How to Calculate Compound Bow fps?
Knowing how to calculate arrow speed is important. It helps you get correct measurements and understand how your bow and arrow work. This knowledge is key to improving your archery skills.
Here’s the formula you can use to find out the arrow speed:
| v = IBO + (L−30) × 10−3W + min (0,−3(A−5D)) |
Where,
- v — The actual arrow speed in feet per second (fps).
- IBO — The standard arrow speed according to IBO specifications, in feet per second (fps).
- L — The draw length, measured in inches.
- W — The extra weight on the bowstring, measured in grains.
- A — The arrow weight, measured in grains.
- D — The draw weight, measured in pounds.
How to Use an Arrow Speed Calculator?
The following are some important steps that users need to follow to use our calculator:
1. Enter the necessary information
Start by filling in all the required details in the provided fields in the calculator. This may include information like draw length, arrow weight, and any extra weight on the bowstring. Make sure to input each value accurately to get a correct result.
2. Click the “calculate” button
After you have entered all the details with the correct data, find and press the calculate button. This will trigger the arrow speed calculator to process your inputs and perform the necessary calculations to determine the speed of your arrow.
3. Interpret the results
Once the calculation is complete, the calculator will display the results on your screen. Carefully review it to see the calculated speed of your arrow. This information will help you learn how fast your arrow is traveling based on the parameters you provided.
Examples of Using The Arrow Speed Calculator
Let’s say Cooper is preparing for his school archery competition and wants to find out the speed of his arrows. He uses the arrow speed calculator for this. He starts by inputting his bow details i.e. the draw length is 30 inches, the draw weight is 60 pounds, and the arrow weight is 350 grains.
He also adds 10 extra grains for the bowstring weight. After entering all the information, he clicks the calculate button. The calculator shows his arrow speed is 285 feet per second (fps), helping Cooper understand his arrows’ speed and prepare for the tournament.
What are the Factors that Affect Arrow Speed?
Given below are the key factors that impact arrow speed. Knowing these will help you understand how the speed of an arrow is calculated.
- Draw Weight (D)
This is the force you need to pull back the bow, measured in pounds. The more weight you use, the faster the arrow will travel and the more power it will have. Generally, for every 10-pound increase in draw weight, the arrow speed goes up by about 20 feet per second (fps).
- Draw Length (L)
This is the distance you pull the bowstring back. A longer draw length means the bow stores more energy, making the arrow fly faster. Each extra inch of draw length increases the arrow speed by about 10 feet per second (fps), while each inch less decreases it by about 10 fps.
- Arrow weight (A)
The weight of an arrow affects its speed. Heavier arrows move slower, while lighter arrows go faster. Usually, for every extra 5 grains of weight, the arrow speed decreases by about 2 feet per second (fps).
- Bowstring Weight (W)
Adding extra weight to the bowstring can slow down the arrow. For every 3 additional grains of weight on the bowstring, the arrow speed decreases by about 1 foot per second (fps).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kinetic Energy?
Kinetic energy is the energy an element has because it’s moving. For arrows, it means how much power they have when they fly through the air. The faster the arrow moves, the more kinetic energy it has. This energy helps the arrow to penetrate targets and makes it effective in hitting your mark.
How fast does an arrow travel?
If you use a recurve bow, arrows can travel up to 225 feet per second (fps), or about 150 miles per hour (mph). With a compound bow, arrows can go up to 300 fps, or about 200 mph. Heavy arrows from a longbow will move more slowly due to their weight.
How can I calculate the momentum of the arrow?
To find the momentum of an arrow, you need to multiply the arrow’s weight by its speed. First, measure the weight of the arrow in grains and the speed in feet per second (fps).
Then, use this formula: Momentum = Arrow Weight × Arrow Speed. This will help you understand how much force it has when moving.
Can the arrow speed calculator be used for any type of bow?
Yes, our calculator can be used for various types of bows, including recurve, compound, and longbows. Just make sure to enter the correct details for your specific bow and arrow setup to get an accurate speed estimate.