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Arrow Weight Charts

The IBO Chart (International Bowhunting Organization)

The AMO chart (Archery Trade Association {formerly the AMO})

We most strongly recommend you adhere to the IBO or AMO Standard regarding minimum arrow weight

Arrow Weight: Is Lighter Better?

This is a hotly debated topic, but the fact is, lighter arrows fly faster with less loss of trajectory. A faster arrow won't necessarily penetrate better, but it will make it to the target more quickly. Hunters need to carefully consider their choices and consult an archery pro shop for advice if necessary

In the current archery market, speed sells. Archery manufacturers are under constant pressure to make things go faster. As a result, each year brings a new bumper-crop of even lighter arrow shafts, better string materials, more efficient bow designs, friction-reducing components, etc. The main idea is, lighter arrows go faster - sometimes dramatically faster. Heavy arrows go slower. So if you want your bow to shoot "flat", lightweight arrows are going to be a must, but how light is too light?


Arrow Weight: How Light is TOO Light?

Shooting an arrow that is too light can be dangerous, both to you and your expensive compound bow. Shooting an underweight arrow has a similar effect as dry-firing your bow. Without sufficient arrow weight, the string and limbs of your compound bow move too quickly and violently. The bow needs the resistance of the arrow to stay intact.

Naturally, an underweight arrow will fly like a rocket - generating unbelievable speeds. But anyone who does this is just asking for trouble. Modern compound bows aren't toys. They generate a tremendous amount of energy and should be treated with the same respect you would give any dangerous weapon. The vast majority of serious compound bow failures are not caused by manufacturer defects, but rather by dry-firing the bow or shooting dramatically underweight arrows. For your personal safety, and the longevity of your bow, we most strongly recommend you follow the IBO or AMO Standard regarding minimum arrow weight.

The International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) sets a 5 grains per pound standard. In other words, arrow weight should never be less than 5X the bow's draw weight. So a 60# bow should shoot no less than a 300 (5 x 60) grain arrow. Simple enough!

Another authority in the archery industry, the Archery Trade Association (formerly the AMO), also publishes an arrow weight recommendation chart. The AMO chart is a bit more complex and takes more variables into account (brace height, bow efficiency, cam design, draw length, etc.), but it is less widely used.

Some manufacturers ask you follow one standard, some the other. And depending upon your particular bow setup, the IBO and AMO recommendations may or may not be the same. Check the literature that came with your bow to find which standard you should follow.