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Archery Sight Mark Calculator

Generate sight marks and sight tapes from your bow setup

Sight Tape Range

1.18"

Arrow Speed

280 fps

Zero

20 yards

Measured with chronograph. Compound: 250-340. Recurve: 150-220.

Typical: 28-34 inches for compound bows.

Distance where your sight is currently zeroed.

Sight Tape Range

1.18"

Zero at 20 yards

Arrow Speed

280 fps

Speed (m/s)

85.3

Drop at Zero

8.9"

Distances

9

What You'll Need

Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5

Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5

$900-$11004.8
View on Amazon

KESHES Takedown Recurve Bow 62" Archery Set

$55-$754.4
View on Amazon
Archery Arrow Rest Magnetic Universal Compound Bow

Archery Arrow Rest Magnetic Universal Compound Bow

$8-$144.4
View on Amazon
Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5

Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5

$900-$11004.8
View on Amazon

KESHES Takedown Recurve Bow 62" Archery Set

$55-$754.4
View on Amazon
Archery Arrow Rest Magnetic Universal Compound Bow

Archery Arrow Rest Magnetic Universal Compound Bow

$8-$144.4
View on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How do you calculate archery sight marks?

Sight marks are calculated from arrow trajectory physics. Given arrow speed and sight geometry, the calculator determines how much the arrow drops at each distance due to gravity, then computes the required sight pin position to compensate. The formula uses time of flight (distance/speed) and gravitational drop (0.5 × g × t^2).

  • Time of flight = distance / arrow speed
  • Arrow drop = 0.5 × 9.81 × time^2 (meters)
  • At 20 yards (280 fps): drop = 1.5 inches
  • At 40 yards (280 fps): drop = 6.1 inches
  • At 60 yards (280 fps): drop = 13.8 inches
Distance (yards)Drop at 250 fpsDrop at 280 fpsDrop at 310 fps
201.9"1.5"1.2"
407.7"6.1"5.0"
6017.3"13.8"11.2"
8030.7"24.5"19.9"
Q

What arrow speed should I use for sight mark calculations?

Use your actual chronograph-measured arrow speed, not the bow's IBO rating. IBO speed is measured at 30" draw, 70 lbs, 350-grain arrow. Real-world speed is typically 15-30 fps slower. Compound bows average 270-310 fps; recurves average 160-210 fps with hunting arrows.

  • Compound hunting setup: 260-290 fps typical
  • Compound target setup: 280-310 fps typical
  • Recurve (Olympic): 170-210 fps typical
  • Longbow/traditional: 140-175 fps typical
  • IBO rating minus 15-30 fps = approximate real speed
Bow TypeTypical SpeedIBO AdjustmentBest Use
Compound target280-310 fps-10-15 fpsTarget archery, 3D
Compound hunting260-290 fps-15-25 fpsHunting, field archery
Olympic recurve170-210 fpsN/ATarget archery
Traditional/longbow140-175 fpsN/AInstinctive shooting
Q

What is a sight tape and how do I make one?

A sight tape is a printed strip placed on your bow sight that shows distance markings corresponding to pin positions. You set your sight at a known distance (usually 20 yards), then use calculated or verified marks for other distances. This calculator generates the relative pin positions needed.

  • Step 1: Chronograph your arrow speed accurately
  • Step 2: Set your sight for a reference distance (20 yards)
  • Step 3: Calculate or verify marks at 30, 40, 50+ yards
  • Step 4: Print tape with marks, affix to sight bar
  • Fine-tune: adjust individual marks based on field testing
Reference DistanceProsConsBest For
10 yardsVery flat trajectoryLess accuracy at long rangeIndoor archery
20 yardsStandard, good baselineMay need fine-tuningMost common
30 yardsSplits long/short rangeHarder to verifyField archery
Q

How does peep-to-sight distance affect sight marks?

A longer peep-to-sight distance gives finer adjustments because the same angular change moves the pin more. Standard compound bows have 28-34 inches peep-to-sight. Longer sight extensions (6"+) increase this distance, allowing more precise long-range marks but requiring a larger sight window.

  • 28-30 inches: standard setup, good for hunting
  • 30-34 inches: common target setup with extension
  • 34-38 inches: long extension, very precise marks
  • Longer distance = more sight travel = finer adjustments
  • Shorter distance = less sight travel = coarser marks
Peep-to-SightSight Travel (20-60yd)PrecisionTypical Setup
28"Small (tight marks)GoodHunting, short range
30"ModerateVery goodGeneral target
33"Wider (spread marks)ExcellentLong range target
36"Very wideMaximumCompetition target
Q

Why do my actual sight marks differ from calculated ones?

Calculated marks assume a perfectly horizontal launch and no air resistance. In reality, arrow flex (archer's paradox), wind, arrow weight, fletching drag, and slight uphill/downhill angles all affect trajectory. Use calculated marks as a starting point and fine-tune by shooting at each distance.

  • Air resistance slows arrows 5-10% over 60 yards
  • Arrow weight affects speed (heavier = slower but more momentum)
  • Fletching type/size changes drag profile
  • Uphill/downhill shots need angle compensation
  • Temperature affects arrow speed (cold = slower)

Example Calculations

1Compound Bow Target Setup (280 fps)

Inputs

Arrow Speed280 fps
Sight Height4 inches
Peep to Sight30 inches
Reference Distance20 yards

Result

Sight Tape Range2.87"
Drop at 40 yards6.1"
Drop at 60 yards13.8"
TOF at 60 yards643ms

Speed = 280 fps = 85.3 m/s. At 40 yards (36.6m): TOF = 36.6/85.3 = 0.429s. Drop = 0.5*9.81*0.429^2 = 0.902m = 35.5" total, but compensated by sight angle. Sight mark relative to 20yd zero shows progressive pin movement.

2Recurve (Olympic) at 190 fps

Inputs

Arrow Speed190 fps
Sight Height3 inches
Peep to Sight28 inches
Reference Distance30 meters

Result

Sight Tape Range4.52"
Drop at 50 meters16.8"
Drop at 70 meters32.9"
TOF at 70 meters1,209ms

Speed = 190 fps = 57.9 m/s. At 70m: TOF = 70/57.9 = 1.209s. Drop = 0.5*9.81*1.209^2 = 7.17m = 282". Slower arrow means much more drop and wider sight marks compared to compound.

3Fast Compound (310 fps) for 3D Archery

Inputs

Arrow Speed310 fps
Sight Height4 inches
Peep to Sight33 inches
Reference Distance20 yards

Result

Sight Tape Range2.16"
Drop at 40 yards5.0"
Drop at 60 yards11.2"
TOF at 80 yards773ms

Speed = 310 fps = 94.5 m/s. At 40 yards (36.6m): TOF = 36.6/94.5 = 0.387s. Drop = 0.5*9.81*0.387^2 = 0.735m = 28.9" total drop. Faster arrow = less drop = tighter sight marks = smaller tape range.

Formulas Used

Arrow Drop (Gravitational)

Drop = 0.5 × g × (distance / speed)^2

Calculates the vertical drop of an arrow due to gravity based on distance to target and arrow speed.

Where:

Drop= Vertical drop in meters below the line of departure
g= Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
distance= Distance to target in meters
speed= Arrow speed in meters per second

Sight Pin Position

Pin Position = Peep-to-Sight × tan(atan((Drop + Sight Height) / Distance))

Calculates where the sight pin needs to be positioned to compensate for arrow drop at a given distance.

Where:

Pin Position= Position of the pin on the sight bar (from a reference point)
Peep-to-Sight= Distance from peep sight to sight housing (inches)
Drop= Arrow drop at the target distance
Sight Height= Height of sight above arrow rest
Distance= Distance to target

Time of Flight

TOF = Distance / Arrow Speed

Calculates how long the arrow is in the air, which determines how much gravity affects it.

Where:

TOF= Time of flight in seconds
Distance= Distance to target in meters
Arrow Speed= Arrow velocity in meters per second

Archery Sight Marks: Physics and Practical Application

Archery sight marks translate the physics of projectile motion into practical aiming references. An arrow launched from a bow follows a parabolic trajectory under gravity. Since the sight sits above the arrow rest, the archer looks down through the peep sight at an angle to the pin, creating a sight picture that accounts for arrow drop at each distance.

The critical variables are arrow speed (determines time of flight), peep-to-sight distance (determines angular resolution), and sight height above the arrow rest (determines the baseline angle). Faster arrows have flatter trajectories and tighter sight marks. A 310 fps arrow drops 5 inches at 40 yards, while a 250 fps arrow drops 7.7 inches at the same distance.

This calculator generates a complete sight mark table from your bow setup parameters. Enter your chronographed arrow speed, sight geometry, and reference distance. The output shows arrow drop, relative sight mark positions, and time of flight for standard distances. Use it to create a sight tape or set multi-pin sight gaps.

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Last Updated: Mar 25, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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