What is the draw weight of a bow?

The draw weight of a bow refers to the amount of force required to pull the bowstring back to a certain draw length. This measurement is crucial because it directly influences the ease with which an archer can draw the bow and the power with which an arrow is subsequently shot. Higher draw weights typically indicate that more muscle strength is needed to pull the string, which can result in higher arrow speeds and potential energy but may be more challenging for some archers to handle effectively.

Understanding draw weight is also important for matching the bow to an archer's physical capabilities; beginners or younger archers often use bows with lower draw weights to help them develop their technique without straining themselves.