Recurve Brace Height Chart
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By James Holbert · Explained Archery
Brace height is the distance from the deepest part of the grip to the string on a strung bow at rest. For modern recurves it runs from about 7.5 inches on a 58-inch bow to about 9.75 inches on a 72-inch bow. Longer bow, higher brace height. The chart below gives the usual range for every common length, and the rest of the page covers how to measure it, how to change it with string twists, and how to find the quiet spot for your own bow.
Recurve brace height chart
| Bow length (AMO) | Typical brace height | Common on |
|---|---|---|
| 58 in | 7.5 to 8.25 in | Short hunting and youth recurves |
| 60 in | 7.75 to 8.5 in | Hunting recurves, short takedowns |
| 62 in | 8 to 8.5 in | Samick Sage, Spyder and most first takedowns |
| 64 in | 8 to 8.75 in | Takedowns for draws around 25 to 26 in |
| 66 in | 8.25 to 9 in | Target and field recurves |
| 68 in | 8.5 to 9.25 in | The most common Olympic-style length |
| 70 in | 8.75 to 9.5 in | Draws around 30 in |
| 72 in | 9 to 9.75 in | Long draws and maker-specific long setups |
Starting ranges for modern laminated recurves. Your bow's manual or spec sheet always wins, and some makers publish a single number rather than a range.
Traditional longbows sit lower, usually 6.5 to 7.5 inches, because the design is different. If your riser has no markings and you are not sure of the length, how to measure recurve bow length covers finding the AMO length.
Why brace height matters
Brace height sets how long the string stays in contact with the arrow. A lower brace height means a longer power stroke, so the arrow leaves slightly faster, but the string stays on it longer and any error in your release has more time to show up. A higher brace height shortens that contact, which costs a little speed and buys forgiveness and quiet.
| If brace height is | You get | You notice |
|---|---|---|
| Too low | A touch more speed, much less forgiveness | String slap on the forearm, a loud harsh shot, hand shock, arrows scattering |
| In range | The balance the bow was designed around | A quiet shot, no forearm contact, groups that hold |
| Too high | More forgiveness, a little less speed | A dead feel, slower arrows, sometimes more vibration again at the extreme |
String slap is the clearest signal. If the string is catching your forearm with correct form, check brace height before you buy a bigger arm guard.
The range in the chart is not a single right answer. Every bow has a sweet spot inside it where the shot goes quiet and groups tighten, and finding that spot is the tuning job described further down.
How to measure brace height
A bow square costs little and removes the guesswork. A tape measure held against the grip works but is easy to angle, and a few degrees off reads high.
How to change brace height with string twists
You raise brace height by shortening the string, and you shorten the string by adding twists. The string must come off the bow to do it.
To lower brace height, remove twists the same way.
| What you want | Do this | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Raise brace height | Add twists | More than about 20 to 25 total twists means the string is too long for the bow |
| Lower brace height | Remove twists | A string with almost no twists left is too short; it will also be noisy and lose life |
| Hold a new setting | Shoot 100 arrows, then measure again | A new string creeps and drops an eighth of an inch or so in its first weeks |
If you cannot reach the range in the chart within that twist budget, you have the wrong string length. How to measure a recurve bow string covers sizing it.
Finding the quiet spot for your bow
Within the published range every bow has a brace height where it is noticeably quieter and groups best. Finding it takes about half an hour.
Do this again whenever you fit a new string, change limbs, or change your arrows substantially.
Brace height is only one of the tuning numbers. If arrows are still leaving left or right after you set it, the shaft stiffness is the usual next suspect: the arrow spine calculator and why arrows go left or right cover that.
Related guides
Stringing, string sizing and bow fit all feed into this number.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the brace height questions people ask most.
What should my recurve brace height be?
Between about 7.5 and 9.5 inches depending on bow length. A 62-inch takedown sits around 8 to 8.5 inches and a 68-inch target recurve around 8.5 to 9.25. Check your maker's spec, then tune inside that range.
How do I measure brace height?
From the deepest part of the grip, the pivot point, straight back to the string on a braced bow at rest. Use a bow square held square to the string. Measuring from the riser face or the arrow rest gives a different number.
How do I raise brace height?
Unstring the bow, take the top loop off and add twists in the direction the string is already twisted. Three to five twists move it about an eighth of an inch. Restring and measure after each adjustment.
Why is my bow string hitting my arm?
Usually brace height that is too low, though a bent bow arm elbow does it too. Measure first, and raise brace height a few twists at a time before you blame your form.
Does brace height affect arrow speed?
Yes, a little. Lower brace height gives a longer power stroke and slightly more speed, at the cost of forgiveness and noise. The difference across the usable range is small, a few feet per second.
How many twists is an inch of brace height?
Roughly 25 to 40 twists, since three to five give about an eighth of an inch. If you need that many, the string is the wrong length rather than the brace height being wrong.
Does brace height change on its own?
Yes. A new string stretches over its first hundred arrows or so and brace height drops. Measure again after the first few sessions and add a twist or two.
References
These sources support the brace height ranges and setup guidance on this page.