Bow Sight Pin Size: .010 vs .019 vs .029

Bow sight pin size is the diameter of the glowing dot you aim with, and the three common sizes are .010, .019 and .029 inch. The trade-off is simple: a bigger pin is brighter and easier to see, while a smaller pin covers less of the target, so you can aim more precisely at distance. For most hunters, .019 is the middle ground.

Pin diameter vs brightness vs coverage

The numbers are the diameter, in inches, of the fibre-optic end you see. Coverage is the part people underestimate. The pin stays the same size in your sight picture, but a target looks smaller as it gets further away. Triple the distance and the target looks a third as wide, so the same dot covers three times as much of it.

Sight radius matters too: a pin further out on a longer bar covers less of the target, as our sight extension guide explains.

Hunting vs target picks

Bowhunting.com says that with modern spooled fibres, "even a small .019-inch diameter fiber optic aiming point can be highly visible in low light conditions and can be more accurate than the popular .029-inch pins of just a few years ago."

Many sights come in more than one size. Trophy Ridge, for example, lists its React Pro 5-pin sight with .019 pins for right- and left-handed bows and .010 pins for right-handed bows only. Our React Pro review covers how that sight sets its pins.

You don't have to choose one size for every pin. Bowhunting.com suggests you "can use large diameter fibers (up to .050 inches) for your short-range pins and smaller diameter fibers (down to .010 inches) for your longer-range pins," because the small ones "obscure less of the target."

For long, ranged shots, Archery 360's point applies: "the smaller the pin, the more precise you can aim." Choosing between a sliding pin and a fixed stack? See our single-pin vs multi-pin comparison.

Vertical vs horizontal pins

On most multi-pin sights, each pin reaches in from the side of the housing: a horizontal pin. Vertical-pin designs bring each pin up from the bottom instead, so the pins stand in a column.

We haven't found a source showing that either layout makes you more accurate, so treat it as preference. Diameter works the same way in both.

If you're shopping for replacement pins or fibres, check that they're listed for your exact sight model. Pins and fibre kits are often made for particular sights, so don't assume they swap between brands.

Low light

Archery 360 says fibre length is "critical to how well you can see your sight pins, especially in low-light situations, such as early morning, late evening, or when shooting under a heavy tree canopy." It also explains that "the more fiber a sight pin has, the more light that fiber captures and delivers to the pin head."

That gives you two levers at dawn and dusk: a larger diameter, or more fibre feeding the pin. Bowhunting.com also mentions battery-powered sight lights for dark spots such as ground blinds, but warns hunters to check that local regulations allow electronic devices on the bow.

If you're replacing worn or broken pins, you can browse bow sight replacement pins or .019 sight pins on Amazon. Treat listings as examples to consider, and match your sight model.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common bow sight pin size?

.019 inch. Bowhunting.com says most archers feel comfortable with .019 pins and calls them the "norm" for today's bow sights. Sights are also sold in .010 and .029 inch, sometimes as options on the same model, so check the listing before ordering.

Is .010 or .019 better for hunting?

It depends on your light and distances. A .010 pin hides less of the target, but Archery 360 notes the smallest pins go dark first in low light. A .019 pin is brighter at dawn and dusk and still fine for typical hunting distances, which is why many hunters choose it.

Can you mix pin sizes on one sight?

Some archers do. Bowhunting.com describes larger fibres, up to .050 inch, for short-range pins and fibres down to .010 inch for long-range pins, because thin pins hide less of a distant target. It depends on whether your sight's maker sells individual pins or fibres.