Archery Scoring & Targets Explained
Archery scoring is simpler than it looks: you shoot arrows at a ringed target, and each ring is worth a set number of points based on how close to center you hit. The classic target has ten scoring rings, with the bullseye worth 10 and the outer ring worth 1. Here's how it all works.
The standard target face
The familiar World Archery target has five colors in ten rings, scoring from the center out:
| Ring color | Points |
|---|---|
| Gold (center) | 10, 9 |
| Red | 8, 7 |
| Blue | 6, 5 |
| Black | 4, 3 |
| White (outer) | 2, 1 |
The very center sometimes has an inner "X" ring — still worth 10, but Xs are counted separately to break ties. A complete miss scores 0 (called an "M").
How points are counted
You shoot arrows in groups called ends (often 3 or 6 arrows), walk to the target, and add up the value of each arrow's ring. Scores are recorded highest to lowest per end, then totaled across the round. Whoever has the most points at the end wins.
Line calls
If an arrow touches the line between two rings, it scores the higher value — a benefit-of-the-doubt rule. When it's genuinely unclear, judges use a magnifier to make the call. This is why "line cutters" matter so much in close competition.
Common round formats
Rounds vary by distance, number of arrows, and target size. Indoor rounds are typically shot at 18 meters at a small face; outdoor target rounds range out to 70 meters (the Olympic distance) at a large face. Field and 3D archery use different courses and scoring. The style you shoot — see archery styles and disciplines — determines the format.
Why scoring helps you improve
Keeping score turns practice into feedback. Tracking your ends shows whether your groups are tightening and where they're landing (consistently low, left, etc.), which points to form fixes — see proper archery form basics and common beginner mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
How does archery scoring work?
You shoot at a ten-ring target and score each arrow by the ring it lands in — 10 for the center gold down to 1 for the outer white, and 0 for a miss. Arrows are shot in ends, tallied, and totaled across the round.
What happens if an arrow is on the line?
An arrow touching the line between two rings scores the higher value. Judges use a magnifier for close calls.
What is the X ring?
The X is the innermost center ring. It still scores 10, but Xs are counted separately and used to break ties between archers with equal scores.
Want to shoot a scored round? Find an archery range near you.