What is FOC (Front-of-Center)?
FOC, or Front-of-Center, is a measurement (expressed as a percentage) that describes the balance point of an arrow. Specifically, it measures how far forward the arrow's balance point is from its physical center. An arrow with a higher FOC percentage is more "front-heavy."
This balance is one of the most critical components in arrow tuning. It directly affects the arrow's flight, stability, and its ability to penetrate a target. By adjusting the weight of your arrowhead (point), insert, or nock, you can change the FOC to suit your specific archery needs.
Once you have your FOC optimized, you may also want to check your arrow's total power with our future Arrow Kinetic Energy Calculator.
Why is FOC Important? (Recommended Ranges)
Think of FOC like the fletchings on an arrow. Just as fletchings steer the arrow from the back, a heavy front end "pulls" the arrow through the air, helping to stabilize its flight and correct for any minor imperfections in your shot. This is especially important when using broadheads, which can "steer" an arrow if the FOC is too low.
Different archery styles benefit from different FOC ranges:
- Target & 3D Archery (6% - 12%): This is a common range for target shooting. It provides excellent stability for long-range accuracy without sacrificing too much arrow speed.
- Hunting (10% - 15%): This is the recommended "sweet spot" for most hunting setups. It provides a great balance of stability (especially for broadheads) and penetration.
- Extreme / Heavy FOC (15% - 30%+): This range is favored by archers seeking maximum penetration on large game. The extremely front-heavy balance drives the arrow deeper into the target.
Use this calculator to tune your arrows and find the perfect FOC for your setup.
For a more in-depth technical explanation of arrow ballistics and FOC, you can read more on external resources like arrow balance.