In addition to the various parts and features, there are a few common terms you need to know about bows:

 Draw Weight
As you draw a bow back, the effort required to pull the string is referred to as the weight you are pulling. The draw weight of a bow is calculated by the number of pounds required to draw the bowstring back to full draw length. On long bows and recurve bows, this is measured at 28 inches (71 cm), although you might actually draw more or less than that. On compound bows, this is measured simply as the peak weight.

 Draw Length
The draw length of a bow is the distance the arrow is drawn back before release. To determine your correct draw length, draw an arrow all the way back and have someone mark the shaft with a pencil at a point even with the front of the bow. An additional one inch is added to the measured draw length to make sure the arrowhead does not contact the fingers on the bow hand when shooting. Draw length determines what length of arrows you should use.