Arrow Broadhead: Types, Designs & Hunting Use

An arrow broadhead is a blade-equipped arrowhead attached to the front of an arrow shaft, designed to deliver maximum cutting and penetration power on impact. Unlike field points used in practice, broadheads are built for hunting or tactical applications where a wide, efficient wound channel matters.

Components of an Arrow Broadhead

A typical arrow broadhead consists of a sharp point and one or more blades made from steel or similarly durable materials. Some designs feature blades that expand on impact to increase cutting diameter. The weight and blade configuration of a broadhead also affect arrow trajectory — heavier points weaken effective arrow spine, so choosing the correct broadhead weight for your setup is important. Most arrow spine charts assume a 100-grain point as a baseline.

Broadhead Types

There are several broadhead types, each suited to different hunting scenarios:

• Fixed-blade broadheads have blades that are always exposed and never move. They are favored for their simplicity and durability. Within this category, cut-on-contact heads begin slicing immediately on entry, while chisel-tip heads are designed for bone-splitting impact.
• Mechanical broadheads (also called expandable broadheads) keep blades folded during flight and deploy them on impact. Because they fly more like field-tipped arrows, they tend to offer greater in-flight accuracy — but blade deployment requires some of the arrow's kinetic energy, which is why they are generally not recommended for lighter or slower bow setups.
• Hybrid broadheads combine a fixed-blade core with mechanical outer blades, blending durability with a wider cutting diameter.
• Small game broadheads use smaller, lighter blades suited to birds, squirrels, and rabbits. For bowhunters specifically after wild turkey, see our guide to choosing a broadhead for turkey hunting for cut-diameter and shot-placement specifics.
• Big game broadheads carry larger, more aggressive blades to maximize penetration on deer, elk, and bear.

Choosing the Right Hunting Broadhead

Selecting the right hunting broadhead depends on your bow's draw weight and speed, the size of the game you're pursuing, and your arrow setup. Archers shooting at slower speeds generally benefit from a fixed-blade broadhead at 1¼" or less to preserve penetration. Faster compound setups can take advantage of the larger cutting diameter that many mechanical broadheads offer.

Broadheads are closely related to other arrowhead types used across archery disciplines, and the arrow point's weight and design directly influences how a broadhead performs in flight. For a closer look at attachment and grain weights, see the guide to arrow point types, weights, and attachment methods. For a step-by-step walkthrough of matching broadhead type to your bow and game, see our bow hunting broadhead guide.