How to Order a Recurve Bowstring: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ordering a replacement string for a recurve bow sounds straightforward, but it trips up a surprising number of archers — beginners and experienced shooters alike. The problem is usually not the purchase itself, but the information gathered before it. Get the length, material, or strand count wrong and the string either won't fit or will stress your bow. This guide gives you the exact process to follow before you click buy.

Why Getting This Right Actually Matters

A bowstring that is even a few millimetres too short creates excessive brace height, putting extra tension on the limbs and changing your draw weight in ways you didn't intend. One that is too long produces a dangerously low brace height, causes poor arrow flight, and can result in limb contact on the shot. Beyond fit, using the wrong string material on older or wooden limbs can cause cracking or delamination over time. These are not theoretical concerns — they are the most common causes of unnecessary equipment damage among recurve archers.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you can place an order, gather the following information. Having all of it ready means you won't need to guess at any point during the process.

• Bow length (AMO or IBO): This is usually printed on the lower limb of your bow, expressed in inches. Most recurve bows use the AMO standard. If you cannot find it on the limb, check your bow's manual or the manufacturer's website.
• String length: This is not the same as bow length. The string length for a recurve is typically the bow's AMO length minus roughly 3 to 4 inches, though this varies by design. Some manufacturers specify the exact strung length in their documentation.
• Number of strands: Lighter bows and youth bows commonly use 10 to 12 strands. Heavier draw-weight bows generally use 14 to 16 strands. If you are replacing an existing string, simply count the strands on the old one.
• String material: Dacron (B50) is the standard choice for traditional, wooden, and older fibreglass limbs. Modern carbon or foam-core competition limbs can handle low-stretch materials, but always verify the limb manufacturer's recommendation first.
• Loop style and serving preferences: Most factory recurve strings come with standard loops and a centre serving. If your arrow nock requires a specific serving diameter, note that before ordering.

Step-by-Step: How to Order a Recurve Bowstring

Step 1 — Identify Your Bow's AMO Length

Look at the lower limb of your bow. The AMO length is typically stamped or printed there, for example: 64" or 66". If the bow has no marking, measure it unstrung from the string groove of the upper limb to the string groove of the lower limb, following the curvature of the limb. This measured length is your bow length, and you will use it in the next step.

Step 2 — Determine the Correct String Length

For most recurve bows following the AMO standard, the recommended string length is approximately 3 to 3.5 inches shorter than the bow's listed AMO length. For example, a 66-inch AMO bow typically takes a 62.5 to 63-inch string. However, always cross-reference this with the bow's documentation or the limb manufacturer's specifications. If you are replacing an existing string that was performing well, measuring the old string from loop to loop (unstretched) is the most reliable reference point you have.

Step 3 — Choose Your String Material

For most traditional recurve bows and any bow with wooden or older fibreglass limbs, a dacron bowstring for recurve bows is the appropriate choice. Dacron has a natural amount of stretch that absorbs the shock of the shot and is gentle on limb tips. If your bow is a modern ILF or Olympic-style recurve with performance limbs, the manufacturer may permit fast-flight or Dyneema-based materials — but confirm this before ordering, as using a low-stretch string on limbs not designed for it can cause tip damage.

Step 4 — Select Strand Count

Match strand count to draw weight and intended use:

• 10 to 12 strands: light draw weights, youth bows, traditional longbows under 30 lb
• 14 strands: most adult recreational and traditional recurves in the 30 to 50 lb range
• 16 strands: heavier draw weights and hunting recurves above 50 lb

If you are unsure, counting the strands on your existing string takes less than a minute and removes all guesswork.

Step 5 — Check Loop Size and Centre Serving

Most pre-made recurve strings come with loops sized for standard recurve limb tips. If your bow has unusual tip width, note this. For the centre serving, a standard serving diameter works for most arrows, but if you have particularly tight or loose nock fit on your current string, mention this when ordering from a custom string maker, or check the product description carefully for pre-made options.

Step 6 — Place the Order

With your string length, material, and strand count confirmed, you are ready to buy. When ordering online, double-check that the listed string length in the product matches your required string length — not the bow length. These two numbers are different, and product listings sometimes use one or the other inconsistently. If the listing only shows bow length compatibility, verify the corresponding string length in the product description or contact the retailer before completing the purchase.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing bow length with string length: These are different measurements. A 66-inch bow does not take a 66-inch string.
• Ordering by bow model name alone: The same bow model can come with different limb lengths. Always verify the actual AMO length marked on your specific limbs.
• Ignoring limb manufacturer recommendations on material: Using a fast-flight string on limbs rated only for Dacron is one of the most avoidable causes of equipment damage.
• Measuring a stretched or worn string: Old strings stretch over time. If you measure a heavily used string, it will be longer than the original specification. Use the original spec as your reference, not the worn string's measured length.
• Skipping brace height verification after stringing: Even a correctly ordered string should be checked against the manufacturer's recommended brace height range once installed.

How to Check That Your New String Is Correct

Once your string arrives and you have strung the bow, measure the brace height — the perpendicular distance from the string to the deepest part of the bow's grip (the pivot point). Compare this to the manufacturer's recommended brace height range for your bow. If the brace height falls within that range, the string length is correct. If it is too high or too low, the string may be the wrong length, or the string may need adjustment via twisting (adding twists shortens the string slightly and raises brace height; removing them lengthens it and lowers brace height). A string that cannot reach the correct brace height even at maximum or minimum twists needs to be replaced with the correct length.

Also inspect the nock fit on the serving. Your arrow nock should snap onto the string with a firm but not forced click, and should fall away cleanly when you tap the string just below the nock point. If it is too tight or too loose, the serving diameter may not match your nock size.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I figure out what string length my recurve bow needs?

Start with the AMO length stamped on your lower limb. For most recurve bows, the correct string length is approximately 3 to 3.5 inches shorter than the AMO bow length. Always check the bow's documentation for the exact specification, or measure your existing string from loop to loop if it was performing correctly.

Can I just order the same string length as my bow's listed length?

No. The bow length (AMO) and the string length are different measurements. Ordering a string equal to your bow's AMO length will result in a string that is too long, producing a brace height that is too low and unpredictable arrow flight.

What tools do I need before ordering a recurve bowstring?

You only need a soft tape measure or a rigid ruler, and access to your bow's documentation or the AMO marking on the limb. If replacing an existing string, you can count strands directly and measure the old string loop-to-loop as a secondary reference. No special tools are required.

How can I tell if my new string fits correctly once it arrives?

String the bow and measure the brace height. It should fall within the bow manufacturer's recommended range. Also check that your arrow nocks snap on and release cleanly. If brace height is way off even after adjusting twists, the string length is likely wrong.

Is Dacron always the right material for a recurve bowstring?

For traditional recurves, wooden bows, and older fibreglass limbs, yes — Dacron is almost always the correct choice. For modern competition recurves with ILF limbs, check the limb manufacturer's recommendation, as some performance limbs are rated for lower-stretch materials. When in doubt, Dacron is the safer option.

Final Notes

The process of ordering the right recurve bowstring is methodical, not complicated. Know your AMO bow length, calculate the correct string length, confirm your material based on limb type, and match strand count to draw weight. With those four pieces of information confirmed, you are ready to order confidently. If you are browsing options and want to see what is available for traditional and recreational recurve setups, the recurve archers collection at Legend Archery is a practical starting point for finding compatible equipment.