Field Guide / Archery Gear & Setup
Arrow Spine
Also called: spine, arrow stiffness
How stiff an arrow shaft is, which must be matched to your bow's draw weight, your arrow length, and your point weight.
- Type
- Specs & Setup
- Test
- A 1.94 pound weight hangs at the center of a supported shaft
- Spine number
- The bend in thousandths of an inch, so .500 bend is 500 spine
- Matching
- Use the arrow maker's chart for draw weight, length, and point weight
- Used for
- Deer & big game, Turkey, Small game, Target practice
Safety: Use arrows that meet your bow's minimum arrow weight, often about 5 grains per pound of draw weight. An arrow that is too light or too weak can be unsafe. Follow your bow's manual.
What it is good for
- Straight arrow flight and good accuracy.
- Safe shooting with matched arrows.
- Tuning a bow.
Where it falls short
- The wrong spine flies poorly.
- Charts vary by maker and need your exact numbers.
- Shaft materials differ in how they flex.
Tips
- Use the arrow maker's chart, and ask a pro shop to help.
- Test your arrows by shooting groups with broadheads and field points.
Works well with
- Draw Weight: a major factor in spine.
- Carbon Arrow: carbon shafts must be spine-matched carefully.
Field notes
Heavier points weaken the effective stiffness of an arrow, while a longer shaft also acts weaker. A pro shop can help you choose arrows and cut them to length.
Related guides
Numbers here are typical, not guarantees. Have a pro shop set up and tune your bow or crossbow, follow the maker's manual, and never dry-fire a bow. Legal equipment, draw weights, crossbow seasons, and broadhead rules differ by state and area; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations. Not sure what to buy? Try our bow and crossbow wizard.