The length of a shaft in inches multiplied by its GPI rating gives the weight of the shaft in grains. The weight of an arrow shaft can be expressed in GPI ( grains per inch). Bows with higher draw weight will generally require stiffer arrows, with more spine (less flexibility) to give the correct amount of flex when shot. However, most traditional bows are not center-shot and the arrow has to deflect around the handle in the archer's paradox such bows tend to give most consistent results with a narrower range of arrow spine that allows the arrow to deflect correctly around the bow.

'Center-shot' bows, in which the arrow passes through the central vertical axis of the bow riser, may obtain consistent results from arrows with a wide range of spines. In order to strike consistently, a group of arrows must be similarly spined. The stiffness of the shaft is known as its spine, referring to how little the shaft bends when compressed, hence an arrow which bends less is said to have more spine.

A traditional premium material is Port Orford Cedar. Such shafts are typically made from an aluminium core wrapped with a carbon fibre outer. Traditional arrow shafts are made from strong, lightweight wood, bamboo, or reeds, while modern shafts may be made from aluminium, carbon fibre reinforced plastic, or a combination of materials. The shaft is the primary structural element of the arrow, to which the other components are attached. The diameter of a single carbon fiber is approx. The Mg-Al-Si-fiber enhances the flexibility of the arrow. The fibers of the carbon tubes are not twisted, to ensure a maximum of possible mechanical tension of the arrow. The 'white' fiber is twisted around the inner carbon tube. In between both carbon layers, another fiber is used (white fiber). The arrow is a bond of two carbon tubes, an inner and an outer tube (black wires). A side profile of an Easton Carbon One arrow with a spine of 900, taken with a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Like an arrow from a quiver meaning