Uphill & Downhill Shot Angle Calculator
Steep shots trick rangefinders and archers alike. Gravity only acts over the horizontal distance, so a 30-yard shot at a steep angle may need your 25-yard pin. Find the true distance to aim for from a slope or from a treestand.
🎯 Uphill & Downhill Shot Angle Calculator
Enter your values below. Results update as you type.
Horizontal distance = Line-of-sight distance × cos(angle)
Treestand: angle = arctan(height ÷ (ground distance × 3)), line of sight = √((height ÷ 3)² + distance²)
This is the rifleman's rule. It works well for bows at normal hunting distances.
📊 Angle Correction Chart
Horizontal distance to shoot for at common angles.
| Line of Sight | 10° | 20° | 30° | 40° | 50° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 yd | 19.7 | 18.8 | 17.3 | 15.3 | 12.9 |
| 30 yd | 29.5 | 28.2 | 26.0 | 23.0 | 19.3 |
| 40 yd | 39.4 | 37.6 | 34.6 | 30.6 | 25.7 |
| 50 yd | 49.2 | 47.0 | 43.3 | 38.3 | 32.1 |
Below about 10°, the correction is under half a yard at 30 yards and closer, and can usually be ignored.
🌲 Treestand Shots
From a 20 ft stand, a deer 15 yards from the base of the tree is 16.4 yards away by line of sight at an angle of about 24°. You should aim for 15 yards, not 16.4. Close to the tree the angle gets steep fast, and the shot also changes where the arrow passes through the vitals.
- Aim for the exit, not just the entry. On steep downward shots, picture where the arrow will come out and keep it in the off-side vitals.
- Bend at the waist, not the arms. Keep the same anchor and bow-arm angle you use on level shots so your form stays consistent.
- Practice from height before the season. Shooting from an elevated platform shows you how your own form and pins respond.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do you aim high or low when shooting downhill?
Aim for the horizontal distance, which is shorter than the line-of-sight distance. Using the line-of-sight pin makes the arrow hit high, both uphill and downhill.
Why does the same rule apply uphill and downhill?
Gravity pulls straight down, so it only acts over the horizontal distance. The direction of the slope does not change that.
Do I need an angle-compensating rangefinder?
It is very helpful for treestand and mountain hunting. If yours does not compensate, use this calculator or the chart above to correct the reading.
How much does a 20-foot treestand change the distance?
At 20 yards ground distance, very little: about 1 yard of line-of-sight difference. Inside 10 yards the angle becomes steep and the difference grows.
🧮 Related Calculators
Calculator results are planning estimates. Always confirm your setup with chronograph readings and real shooting.