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Calcimator

Broadhead Penetration Calculator

Estimate arrow penetration depth based on kinetic energy, momentum, broadhead type, and cut diameter.

Inputs

ft-lbs
slug·ft/s
in

Results

Estimated Penetration

14.2 inches

≈ 4 credit cards

Adequate for Deer

Yes

Wound Channel Area50.19 sq in
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter your Kinetic Energy in ft-lbs (use the Arrow KE calculator).
  2. Set your Momentum in slug·ft/s from the KE calculator.
  3. Select Broadhead Type (Fixed Blade, Mechanical, or Hybrid).
  4. Enter the Cut Diameter in inches from your broadhead specifications.
  5. Review Estimated Penetration depth, Wound Channel Area, and whether the setup is Adequate for Deer.

How the result changes with Cut Diameter

Cut DiameterEstimated PenetrationAdequate for Deer
0.7521.3 inchesYes
1.3811.6 inchesYes
2.137.5 inchesNo
2.755.8 inchesNo

What each input means

Kinetic Energy
Arrow kinetic energy (calculate with the Arrow KE tool).
Momentum
Arrow momentum in slug·ft/s.
Broadhead Type
Fixed blades penetrate best; mechanicals have more drag on deployment.
Cut Diameter
Cutting diameter of the broadhead in inches.

What each result means

Estimated Penetration
Approximate penetration depth into soft tissue.
Wound Channel Area
Total cut surface area of the wound channel.
Adequate for Deer
Whether setup meets minimum standards for whitetail deer.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Kinetic Energy = 50, Momentum = 0.4, Broadhead Type = 1, Cut Diameter = 1.125 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Estimated Penetration
    Estimated Penetration
    14.2 = 14.2
  3. Calculate Wound Channel Area
    Wound Channel Area
    50.19 = 50.19

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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