🏹 Archery Pin Gap Calculator
Calculate exact bow sight pin spacing based on arrow speed, sight radius, and pin yardages using arrow trajectory physics.
Values assume 8" sight radius and 2.5" anchor-to-arrow distance, top pin zeroed at 20 yd.
| Arrow Speed | 20–30 yd Gap | 30–40 yd Gap | 40–50 yd Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 fps | 1.84" | 2.38" | 3.07" |
| 270 fps | 1.58" | 2.04" | 2.63" |
| 290 fps | 1.37" | 1.77" | 2.28" |
| 310 fps | 1.20" | 1.55" | 2.00" |
| 330 fps | 1.06" | 1.37" | 1.76" |
| Sight Radius | Gap Multiplier vs 8" | Effect on Precision | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 inches | 0.75× (smaller gaps) | Less aiming precision | Compact / close-range setups |
| 8 inches | 1.00× (baseline) | Good balance | Common hunting sight |
| 10 inches | 1.25× (larger gaps) | Higher precision | Long-range compound setups |
| 12 inches | 1.50× (largest gaps) | Maximum precision | Target / competition sights |
| Configuration | Best Use Case | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Pin (20/30/40) | Hunting — whitetail / elk | Simple, fast aiming | Gaps between preset distances |
| 4-Pin (20/30/40/50) | All-around hunting | Range coverage balance | Moderate sight picture complexity |
| 5-Pin (20–60) | Western hunting / 3D archery | More range options | Busy sight picture |
| Single Floating Pin | Target / competition | Clean, precise single pin | Must adjust for each distance |
Rough estimate only. Use a chronograph for accurate arrow speed measurement.
Pin gap; one of those concepts about shooting that seems simple until you start to use them. It is only the space between your pins, right? No, not quite.
The problem is that this gap does not stay the same. The more away you shoot, the wider those gaps become. That reverse relation between distance and pins commonly confuse newcomers
Why Pin Gaps Change with Distance
For years, the most popular setup was pins at 20, 30 and 40 yards. That stayed standard because it matches how we naturally think in tens. Such division makes it easy to move the eyes between the marks, as if one would read between lines on paper in a lab.
Even so, some shooters favor simpler methods. They choose only three spots: high, low and in the center. That mode did the shooting faster, as modern bows did, and folks learned what best works for their eyes.
Even so, not all follow that rule. I saw shooters change to 20, 25 and 30 yards, because shorter distances better suit their style. Others are more aggressive and use gaps as 20, 35 and 50.
The main idea is to count which distances are most important for how you hunt or compete, and later put the pins right here.
Also the physical position of the sight on the bow creates a problem. If you slide it more near the riser, the gaps widen. If you push it away, they become smaller.
When you add an extension bar by means of a dovetail mount, you open those gaps even more. Your peep sight spot also matters. If you move it higher on the string, your 20-yard pin moves up, because your anchor spot falls lower on your face.
The weight of the arrow always affects the result, but many folks understand that entirely wrong. The myth says that heavy arrows shrink the gaps, but that is not how it works. A light arrow loses speed faster, which means that it stays higher at distance.
You would push a heavy arrow to 150 yards before it matches the path of a light arrow from the same bow. If you reduce the weight, things become complex (the gaps balloon so wide), that hitting targets in the middle becomes a real nightmare. Occasionally, light arrows are the solution to extend your effective distance.
Also the time of the rest affect the equation. When the rest opens too quickly, the arrow flies with a bit downward angle, and suddenly your 40 and 50-yard gaps are bigger than you expected. The same thing happens if your nock point sits too high on the string.
Some shooters entirely abandon pins and use gap shooting. You choose one pin, and then aim on purpose high or low on the target, using the gap itself as a gauge for the distance. The arrow point becomes your reference; you do not need to change it like a pin.
Your broadhead tip does the aiming, and by means of repetition you learn exactly where to hold for every distance.
