How to Measure Draw Weight With a Bow Scale (Compound & Recurve)

Not sure exactly how many pounds your bow pulls? You are not alone — and guessing can lead to the wrong arrows, a failed hunting-legality check, or a bow that is secretly too heavy for your form. The fix is simple: a bow scale. This cheap little tool measures your real draw weight in seconds, so you know the true number instead of trusting a sticker that may be set differently than you think. It is one of the most useful (and overlooked) tools an archer can own.

Here is why it matters: your draw weight affects everything — which arrow spine you need, how your bow tunes, whether you meet your state’s hunting minimum, and whether the bow fits your strength. A compound’s actual weight depends on how the limb bolts are set, and a recurve’s depends on your draw length. A bow scale gives you the exact figure for your setup, not a guess.

In this guide, you will learn what a bow scale is, how to measure draw weight on both compound and recurve bows, and why the number matters. We will compare scale types in clear tables, cover common mistakes, and share pro tips. By the end, you will know your true draw weight. Let us weigh it.

What Is a Bow Scale?

A bow scale is a hanging scale used to measure your bow’s draw weight — the number of pounds it takes to pull the string back. It looks like a luggage scale or fish scale, with a hook on each end: one end attaches to the bowstring (or a draw board), and you pull while the scale displays the peak weight in pounds. Many archers use a simple digital hanging scale for this.

It matters because the draw weight printed on your bow is not always your real number. A compound’s weight changes with the limb bolt setting, and a recurve’s marked weight is rated at a 28-inch draw — your actual pull depends on your draw length. A bow scale measures the truth for your exact setup, so you are not guessing.

Bow scales are cheap and double as a handy tool. To compare options, you can see bow scale options on Amazon. New to draw weight? See our draw weight guide.

“The weight on your bow’s sticker is a starting point, not gospel. A bow scale tells you what your bow actually pulls — the number that decides your arrows, your tune, and whether you are legal to hunt.”

Why Your Draw Weight Matters

Knowing your true draw weight is more important than most archers realize. Here is why:

• Arrow selection. Spine charts use draw weight to recommend the right arrow stiffness — wrong weight, wrong arrows.
• Tuning. Accurate weight helps you tune and calculate things like kinetic energy.
• Hunting legality. Many states set a minimum draw weight for bowhunting — you may need to prove you meet it.
• Fit and form. Too much weight wrecks form; a scale confirms you are not overbowed.
• Tracking progress. As you build strength or adjust your bow, you can measure the change.

So your draw weight feeds into nearly every gear and tuning decision. Measuring it removes guesswork from all of them. For choosing the right poundage, see our draw weight guide.

Measuring a Compound Bow

On a compound bow, draw weight peaks partway through the draw (the “hump”) and then lets off. To measure the peak weight, you pull the bow and read the highest number the scale reaches before let-off. Here is the idea:

• Attach the scale to the string (often at the D-loop or nock point) and to a fixed point or draw board.
• Pull the string back slowly, watching the scale climb to its peak as the cams approach roll-over.
• Read the peak number — that is your compound’s draw weight (the let-off then reduces the holding weight).

Recommendation: A compound’s weight is set by the limb bolts — tightened for max, backed out to reduce. If your number is not what you want, a pro shop (or you, carefully, on bows that allow it) can adjust the limb bolts. Measure after any change. For let-off, see our let-off guide.

Measuring a Recurve Bow

On a recurve, the draw weight keeps increasing the farther you pull — there is no peak-and-let-off. So the weight you read depends entirely on how far the string is drawn. To measure it meaningfully, you read the weight at your own draw length.

• Mark your draw length on the arrow or use a draw-length indicator.
• Pull the string (with the scale attached) to exactly your draw length.
• Read the weight at that point — that is your recurve’s draw weight for you.

Recommendation: Remember the rule of thumb: recurve weight changes about 2–3 pounds per inch of draw. So a limb marked “30# at 28 inches” pulls more if you draw 30 inches and less if you draw 26. A scale gives you your real number. To adjust it, see our recurve draw weight guide.

Why Draw Length Changes the Number

This trips up a lot of archers: the “draw weight” of a bow is not a single fixed number for a recurve — it depends on draw length. Bow makers rate recurve limbs at a standard 28-inch draw, but almost no one draws exactly 28 inches. If your draw is longer, you pull more weight than the sticker; if shorter, you pull less.

This matters because two people shooting the “same” 35-pound bow can actually be pulling different weights based on their draw lengths. When you buy arrows or check a hunting minimum, what counts is your draw weight at your draw length — which is exactly what a bow scale measures.

Compounds are more fixed (the cams stop at a set draw length and weight), but even there, the limb-bolt setting changes the number. Either way, measuring beats assuming. For finding your draw length, see our draw weight guide.

Types of Bow Scales

A few options work for measuring draw weight:

• Digital hanging scale: A luggage-style scale with a hook — easy to read, holds the peak number, inexpensive. The most popular choice.
• Mechanical (spring) hanging scale: A classic dial/spring scale; durable and simple, slightly harder to read a fast peak.
• Bow scale on a draw board: A draw board holds the bow at full draw so you can read the weight steadily — great for precise compound measuring.

Recommendation: A digital hanging scale with a peak-hold feature is the simplest, most accurate choice for most archers. For repeatable, hands-free compound measuring, a draw board with a scale is excellent. Either gets you your real number.

Bow Scale Types Compared

Compound vs Recurve Measuring

Setting up your bow? Take our gear finder quiz.

How to Measure (Step-by-Step)

1. Attach the scale hook to the string at the nocking point or D-loop.
2. Anchor the other end to a fixed point, draw board, or pull it by hand straight in line with the bow.
3. Pull smoothly: for a compound, watch for the peak before let-off; for a recurve, pull to your draw length.
4. Read the number (peak for compound, at-draw-length for recurve).
5. Let down slowly under control — never release.
6. Record it and re-measure after any limb-bolt or setup change.

Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

• Mistake: Trusting the sticker. May be wrong for your setup. Fix: Measure your real draw weight.
• Mistake: Reading a recurve at the wrong draw length. Wrong number. Fix: Read at your actual draw length.
• Mistake: Releasing with the scale attached. Dry-fire risk. Fix: Always let down slowly.
• Mistake: Pulling at an angle. Inaccurate read. Fix: Pull straight in line with the bow.
• Mistake: Not re-measuring after adjusting. Fix: Re-check after any limb-bolt change.

Pro Tips

• Use a peak-hold digital scale for an easy, accurate read.
• Measure at your real draw length on a recurve, not 28 inches.
• Re-measure after limb-bolt changes on a compound.
• Never release the string with the scale on — let down slowly.
• Record your number for arrow buying and hunting-legality checks.

“Measure, do not assume. Two minutes with a bow scale gives you the one number that drives your arrow choice, your tune, and your hunting legality — far better than trusting a sticker.”

Real-Life Examples

The wrong arrows. Tom bought arrows based on his bow’s “60#” sticker, but his compound was dialed down to 54#. The spine was off. A bow scale revealed his real weight, and his next arrows matched perfectly.

The hunting check. Maria needed to confirm she met her state’s bowhunting minimum draw weight. A quick measurement on a bow scale proved her setup was legal — peace of mind before the season.

The long-draw recurve. Sam draws 30 inches, so his “35# at 28 inches” recurve actually pulled closer to 40# for him. Measuring it explained why his “35-pound” bow felt heavier and shot his arrows weak.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure my bow’s draw weight?

Attach a bow scale (a hanging digital or spring scale) to the bowstring at the nocking point, then pull the string straight in line with the bow. For a compound, read the peak weight before let-off; for a recurve, read the weight at your own draw length. Let down slowly — never release with the scale attached.

Why is my real draw weight different from the sticker?

A compound’s weight depends on the limb-bolt setting (it can be backed down from max), and a recurve’s marked weight is rated at a 28-inch draw — your actual pull depends on your draw length (about 2–3 pounds per inch). So the sticker is a reference; a bow scale gives your true number for your setup.

Do I need a special bow scale?

Not really — a simple digital hanging scale (like a luggage scale) with a peak-hold feature works great and is inexpensive. For precise, hands-free compound measuring, a draw board with a scale is ideal. Any accurate hanging scale that can hold the peak reading will do the job.

How do I measure draw weight on a recurve?

Because a recurve gets heavier the farther you pull, read the weight at your own draw length. Mark your draw length, attach the scale, pull to that exact point, and read the number. Remember the rule of thumb: roughly 2–3 pounds change per inch above or below the 28-inch standard.

Can I measure draw weight at home?

Yes. With a hanging bow scale you can measure at home: attach it to the string, pull smoothly to your draw length (recurve) or to peak (compound), read the number, and let down slowly. Just never release the string with the scale on, and pull straight in line with the bow for an accurate reading.

Why does draw weight matter for hunting?

Many states set a minimum draw weight for bowhunting to ensure enough energy for an ethical kill, and you may need to verify your bow meets it. Draw weight also determines your arrow spine and kinetic energy. Measuring your real draw weight confirms you are both legal and properly set up for your game.

Final Verdict + Checklist

A bow scale is a cheap, essential tool that tells you your bow’s true draw weight — the number behind your arrow choice, your tune, and your hunting legality. Read the peak on a compound, or read at your draw length on a recurve, pull straight, and always let down slowly. Measure, record, and re-check after any change, and you will never guess your draw weight again.

Your quick checklist:

• ✅ A bow scale measures your true draw weight.
• ✅ Compound: read the peak before let-off.
• ✅ Recurve: read at your own draw length.
• ✅ Remember ~2–3 lbs per inch on a recurve.
• ✅ Pull straight; never release with the scale on.
• ✅ Record your number for arrows and hunting checks.
• ✅ Re-measure after limb-bolt or setup changes.

Dialing in your setup? Pair this with our draw weight guide and recurve draw weight guide.