# Arrow Time of Flight Calculator

> Calculate how long an arrow takes to reach the target, its impact speed, and how early the shot sound arrives. Understand why deer jump the string.

Canonical page: https://archeryprotools.com/calculators/arrow-time-of-flight-calculator (the interactive calculator runs on that page)

Find out how long your arrow is in the air, how fast it is still going when it arrives, and how much warning the sound of the shot gives an animal. These numbers explain why deer “jump the string” at longer distances.

## 🎯 Arrow Time of Flight Calculator

Enter your values below. Results update as you type.

Chronograph speed is best

Arrows lose speed to drag. Pick the build closest to yours.

Time of Flight

**How this is calculated:**

Speed at distance: v = v₀ × e^(−k × yards)

Flight time: t = (e^(k × yards) − 1) ÷ (k × v₀ ÷ 3)

Sound arrival: t_sound = yards × 3 ÷ 1,125 fps

k is the speed-loss rate from the arrow-build selector. Sound speed is taken at about 68 °F.

## 🦌 Why Deer Jump the String

Sound travels at roughly 1,125 fps, about four times faster than a hunting arrow. The shot noise always arrives first. At 30 yards a 280 fps arrow takes about a third of a second to arrive, while the sound gets there in under a tenth of a second.

That head start gives an alert deer time to start dropping to load its legs before it bolts. The deer does not leap upward; it crouches first, so arrows aimed at the middle of the vitals can pass over the back. This is why many bowhunters:

- Keep shots inside the distance where flight time stays short (often under 30–35 yards on alert deer).
- Aim lower on alert animals, near the bottom third of the vitals.
- Quiet their bow with heavier arrows and string dampeners to cut the noise that triggers the reaction.

## 📘 Worked Example

A standard hunting arrow launched at 280 fps loses about 6% of its speed by 40 yards. At 30 yards its flight time works out to about 0.33 seconds, and it arrives at roughly 268 fps. The shot noise covers the same 90 feet in 0.08 seconds, giving the animal about a quarter of a second of warning.

Raising speed shortens flight time, but only modestly. Going from 280 to 300 fps saves about 0.02 seconds at 30 yards. Shot distance has a much bigger effect than a few fps.

## ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

**How long does an arrow take to travel 30 yards?**

At 280 fps a typical hunting arrow takes about 0.33 seconds to cover 30 yards. A 250 fps arrow takes about 0.37 seconds.

**How much speed does an arrow lose over distance?**

Typical hunting arrows lose roughly 4–8% of their speed by 40 yards. Light arrows and large fixed-blade broadheads lose more; heavy arrows hold speed better.

**Does a faster bow stop deer from jumping the string?**

It helps a little, but the sound always arrives first. Shorter shots, a quieter bow, and aiming lower on alert deer make a bigger difference.

**Why use flight time instead of just speed?**

Flight time is what the animal actually reacts to. It combines speed, speed loss, and distance into one number you can compare directly.

## 🧮 Related Calculators

Calculator results are planning estimates. Always confirm your setup with chronograph readings and real shooting.