What is draw length in archery?

• A. The length from grip to tip.
• B. The distance the bowstring is drawn to the anchor point.
• C. The distance from the bow to the target.
• D. The distance the arrow travels after release.

Answer: (B)

Draw length is the distance the bowstring is drawn back to the anchor point on your face. The anchor point is the spot you consistently touch with your hand or face (often near the jaw or mouth) when you shoot, so your form stays the same shot after shot. This measurement matters because it helps determine the proper arrow length and how the string and arrow behave when released, which directly affects accuracy and consistency. It’s not the length from grip to tip (that would describe overall bow size), not the distance from the bow to the target (that’s range), and not the distance the arrow travels after release (which is the result of the shot, not a setup parameter).