🏹 Bow Sight Pin Gap Calculator
Calculate exact pin spacing for your multi-pin sight based on arrow speed, sight radius, and shooting distances.
🎯 Pin Gap Results
| Arrow Speed | 20–30yd Gap | 30–40yd Gap | 40–50yd Gap | 50–60yd Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 260 fps | 0.68" | 1.12" | 1.68" | 2.35" |
| 270 fps | 0.63" | 1.04" | 1.55" | 2.17" |
| 280 fps | 0.58" | 0.96" | 1.44" | 2.01" |
| 290 fps | 0.54" | 0.90" | 1.34" | 1.87" |
| 300 fps | 0.51" | 0.84" | 1.26" | 1.75" |
| 310 fps | 0.47" | 0.79" | 1.18" | 1.64" |
| 320 fps | 0.45" | 0.74" | 1.11" | 1.54" |
Gap from 20yd pin to 30yd pin at 280fps, varying sight radius:
| Configuration | Best Use Case | Typical Distances | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Pin (Moveable) | Target / 3D archery | Any distance | Adjust per shot; not ideal for hunting |
| 3-Pin Fixed | Hunting — most common | 20 / 30 / 40 yd | Simple, fast target acquisition |
| 5-Pin Fixed | Hunting + longer shots | 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 yd | More options; slightly cluttered sight picture |
| 7-Pin Fixed | Tournament / 3D | 20–80 yd | Maximum range coverage; requires practice |
| Step | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zero top pin | Sight in pin 1 at your closest distance (e.g., 20 yd) |
| 2 | Calculate gaps | Use this calculator with your speed and sight radius |
| 3 | Set pin 2 | Move pin 2 down by calculated gap from pin 1 |
| 4 | Verify at range | Shoot 3+ arrows at each distance; adjust as needed |
| 5 | Repeat for all pins | Work from top pin down sequentially |
| 6 | Lock pins | Tighten all pin set screws; recheck after first shots |
The intervals between the pins on the sight seem simple at first look but they are more complex than many archers can imagine. The distance between the first two pins usually is very slim, but it expands when the distance grows. Even so, things get weird; the interval between the last pair of pins indeed shrinks again.
That is the point about pin distance: it is not same across the board.
Why Bow Sight Pins Are Not Even and How to Set Them
Big difference exists depending on where your sight sits regarding the riser. If you push the sight more near the riser, those intervals become broader. If you move it away, they become more narrow.
A flat shooting setup (good combination of sight and arrow) naturally will give you more narrow intervals. The number of pins that you choose depends on your gear and what you hunt.
Understand the flight of the arrow is very precious here. The interval between your 20 and 40 yard pins can be almost same as the interval of 40 to 50 yards. Even so, things like your nock point, anchor point and the height of the sight and rest all affect that.
You commonly will notice that the pins between 20 and 30 yards do not follow a simple linear pattern, probably because of the gap between the sight and arrow, and also because your arrow is not perfectly flat when you aim away.
The method of 20/60 yards is good if you want a simple way to set your pins. Set first your 20 yard pin, later the 60 yard, and use calipers to count where everything between them should be. When your sight is correctly set, this method operates very well.
A sight graph also can help. After you set your 30 and 60 yard pins, the graph will help you find the right spots for 40 and 50 yards, it simply shows where those pins match with your main marks.
Apps did make this process less difficult. Set your first two pins, leave the app do the math, and lay the rest of the pins here where it says to you. Simply.
For shooting at middle distances, you can share the difference between two pins. You can use your 20 yard pin and aim slightly above the target, using the interval itslef as guide. Sights for flat shooting do that more easily when you are nearer.
With low draw weight, the intervals can become so big that hitting something at 35 yards becomes almost impossible. Here where modern, faster sights shine, two or three pins commonly cover everything what you would hunt at 30 yards or less. Before changing something, ensure that your arrows group consistantly.
Set the sight only when you have a solid group. And one more cause: keep the middle pin centered vertically in the sight housing, so that you have same space up and below. If your sight is too tilted, those long-range pins will move to the left or to the right, even if your 20 yardpin is perfect.
