Sometimes they differ, years ago I visited Mike Treadway, a bowyer from NC.  He asked me what my draw was and I told him that I thought it was a little over 29 inches.  If anyone has ever met Mike, he is about the down to earth as a person can get. He looked down at me and said, let's measure. In disbelief, he told me I was right. I read were draw is measured from the deepest part of the grip + 1 3/4 inch.  I measure to the front of the shelf.  A year or two later, I was at the state shoot and Mike called me to his booth were several people were standing around admiring the display of His bows. He had me take one of his shorter longbows with his draw measuring arrow to show my draw length. Apparently, there was some friendly debate going on.  The guy questioning Mike was about 6'2".  Yesterday, I took a clothes pin and attached it to one of my Axis shafts, drew my bow and marked it. Later in the day, I found a tape and measured 29.5 inches.  He is the kicker, I am only 5'7" and I think  I am shrinking.  Anyone else experience this?   Tim in NC

Tim, Eddie Parker(Mullet on PA) is short(your height or less) but has a 29" or 30" draw. Nobody would believe it until they saw him shoot.
I agree that Mike is one of the Best. I've known Mike for years and got my Treadway longbow from Mike in 1999 and made my first trad kill that fall with the bow.

I'm barely 5'10" and draw a touch over 29" when I'm doing things right. Most folks don't believe it until I show them.

I'm 5ft.8" and draw right at 29".

I don't believe I "have" a draw length.  I "chose" a draw length that fits my particular shooting style.  If you made me change my shooting form (open or close my stance, straighten or bend my bow arm, move my anchor point, etc.), my draw length would change accordingly.

5'3" with a 25" draw... sucks being average... you monkey armed fellas have my envy.

Kawika,  life has good points at both ends.  You can use short bows that long draw folks can only dream of.  

In my former life I flew a fair amount, and of course, since it was for Uncle, I didn't fly first class.  I barely fit in the seats, and when there were two, or even three of us bigger guys in a row, it TOTALLY sucked.  And right then, the person in front of me would lay his seat back.

We all gotta Take what we got and make the best of it.  Course, it is more fun to yell and scream !
   

ChuckC

I only draw 26" and never felt inadequate because of it. I build my bows to suit my shooting style.

I am 5'8" and draw 29" always thought I was an odd ball.My wife is sure I am.Kip

Chuck, you brought up a great point.  I just do not feel comfortable shooting a 60 inch recurve or a 62 inch long bow normally. There are exceptions.

I'm in "this group" also.  I am 5'9" and draw a solid 29".  It's been doubted by people before also.  I shoot split with middle finger to corner of mouth at release point.

I'm in that category of being a very compact person with a 25 inch draw.  All I can say is being a runt has advantages.  In reality I do believe a talented bowyer can and will build a stick that works with your particular body type.  Oh one advantage is the kids section at my sporting goods store is never sold out of that favorite camo pattern!

Folks, this is really not complicated.  Draw length is a factor of two measurements.   Arm length is the obvious one but just as important is shoulder width.  A short fella with broad shoulders can have a longer draw than a taller guy without.

I've made a few bows for folks who weren't tall but had long draws. I think guys who aren't as tall don't worry about pulling into the bow as much as taller guys. I've met a quite a few guys who were as tall, or taller, than I am but just didn't expand into the shot as much as they could (or should- it's free horsepower!)

Yep.  In addition to arm length and shoulder width, where the person anchors also plays a big role in draw length.  Some folks anchor well past the corner of their mouth, nearly at their ear, for example.

Yeah not a height issue. Its an arm length shoulder width thing.

The longer the draw the better for you as you get a bit more speed due to the longer power stroke.
Worrying about draw length to height distracts me from more important issues in shooting.
It is what it is......

Very good point Orion.

My wife is 5'8" she pulls 29" on her hunting bow, I've seen her pull longer on her daughters little 25# bow. I'm 5'11" and pull 31" . I've had the advantage of taking an archery instructor class and had an understanding of where my anchor should end up being before I started shooting stick bows. I think your draw is where it should be and a lot of people I see shooting aren't reaching their full potential and are in effect, short drawing.

Timmy...those long arms of yours are the result of way too many pull ups at the YMCA when we were younger!