Arrow Scale: Grain-Reading Balances for Archers

Shop our top arrow scale: the A&D EJ-54D2, a dual-range grain-reading balance at 339.510 GN x 0.005 GN and 802.48 GN x 0.02 GN, on sale for $389.00 (regular $875.00), in stock.

Archers, bowhunters, archery shops and arrow builders specify shaft, point and finished-arrow weight in grains, not grams. That grain weight is what you enter when you calculate front of center (FOC), estimate kinetic energy and match a dozen arrows so they leave the bow alike. A 0.1 grain step is tight enough for most matching; 0.02 grain, which all three balances below can display, lets you sort even closer.

Why an arrow scale reads in grains

Component work, such as comparing two 100 grain points or a handful of vanes, is where the EJ-54D2’s 0.005 grain fine range earns its keep. Convert grains and grams anytime with our free grain to gram converter (1 GN = 0.06479891 g, the same factor A&D prints in the manuals).

Arrow scales in stock at live prices

Arrow scale	Capacity x readability	Grain range (official)	Pan	Power	Price	NTEP status	Best fit
A&D EJ-54D2 Newton	22 g x 0.0002 g / 52 g x 0.001 g	339.510 GN x 0.005 GN / 802.48 GN x 0.02 GN	50 mm, breeze break	AC or 4 AA (not included)	$389.00 (reg. $875.00)	Non-NTEP	Finest grain work: points, vanes, inserts and full arrows up to 802.48 GN
A&D EJ-123 Newton	120 g x 0.001 g	1,851.88 GN x 0.02 GN	110 mm, breeze break	AC or 4 AA (not included)	$319.00 (reg. $630.00)	Non-NTEP	Best value for full arrows and a roomier pan
A&D FX-120i	122 g x 0.001 g	1,882.74 GN x 0.02 GN	130 mm, breeze break	AC adapter	$799.00 (reg. $1,400.00)	Non-NTEP	Shop or lab balance, about 1 s readings, RS-232C

The EJ-54D2, EJ-123 and FX-120i are non-NTEP. Here is an NTEP alternative: the A&D FX-120iN, 122 g x 0.001 g (e = 0.01 g), NTEP Class II under Certificate of Conformance 08-045A6, $679.00 (regular $1,495.00), in stock. We are an authorized A&D Weighing dealer.

Capacity, readability and pan size

A finished hunting or target arrow usually lands between 300 and 700 grains, about 19 to 45 g. That is inside the EJ-54D2’s 52 g / 802.48 GN range and well inside the EJ-123 and FX-120i. If you tare a light arrow rest or cradle on the pan, add that weight to the arrow and stay under capacity. The EJ-54D2’s 50 mm pan is compact, so a light, tared cradle is the practical way to support a full-length shaft. The EJ-123 (110 mm pan) and FX-120i (130 mm pan) give you more room on the platter. Readability is the smallest step on the display; repeatability and linearity tell you how close the balance really is. Our guide to scale readability vs accuracy explains the difference.

How to weigh arrows, points, inserts and vanes

1. Warm up and level the balance on a solid bench, out of drafts, and use the breeze break.
2. Select the grain (GN) unit from the balance’s unit list (UNITS on the EJ models, MODE on the FX-120i) so the display reads in grains rather than grams.
3. Tare the rest. Place a light arrow cradle or two supports on the pan, press tare (RE-ZERO), then lay the shaft in the rest so it does not roll or touch the draft shield.
4. Weigh the finished arrow and write the grain weight on the shaft or in your build log.
5. Weigh components separately (points, inserts, nocks, vanes, wraps) in the fine range when you have the EJ-54D2, and add them up to confirm the finished weight.
6. Match a dozen to the tolerance you care about, often 0.5 to 1 grain, using the 0.02 grain display. Convert units with the grain to gram converter if a formula asks for grams or ounces.

Setup detail for the FX-120i, including leveling and the breeze break, is in our FX-120i manual guide. If you also weigh powder in grains for reloading, that comparison lives in our best reloading scale guide; this page stays on archery.

NTEP status for arrow scales

The EJ-54D2, EJ-123 and FX-120i are non-NTEP. We checked each model against the NCWM NTEP certificate database on November 10, 2026. Archery shops usually sell arrows by the piece or the model, not by weight, so a grain-reading balance is used to build and match arrows. If you also sell by weight, here is an NTEP alternative: the A&D FX-120iN, 122 g x 0.001 g, NTEP Class II, Certificate of Conformance 08-045A6 (e = 0.01 g, which is about 0.15 grain in legal-for-trade mode), $679.00, in stock. Read what NTEP and legal for trade mean, or check a model with our legal-for-trade scale checker.

Calibration for arrow scales

Each of these balances can ship calibrated, with a certificate, before it leaves our warehouse. All three are at or under 2.2 kg, so they use this calibration tier:

Service	Price	What you get
In-house calibration with certificate (NIST-tested weights)	$95.00	Certificate with the balance, using our NIST-tested weights
NIST calibration with NIST-traceable certificate	$395.00	NIST-traceable certificate with the balance

Add in-house calibration for $95.00 or NIST calibration for $395.00. Check the balance between formal calibrations with a known weight: the 50 g calibration weight for the EJ-54D2 is $69.00 (regular $119.00), and the 100 g Class F weight for the EJ-123 and FX-120i is $59.00 (regular $109.00), both in stock. See our calibration weights guide for classes and care, and in-house vs NIST certificates if you are choosing a certificate level.

Already own an arrow scale? We calibrate balances on-site across Houston and its suburbs at $295 plus $2 per mile round trip, and nationwide by mail with mail-in scale calibration, in-house or NIST. See how often a scale should be calibrated and what scale calibration costs.

Notes from our Cypress, TX shop

• Use the breeze break: grain readings at 0.02 GN or finer will wander in a draft. Close the shield and let the reading settle.
• Tare a cradle for full-length arrows: the EJ-54D2’s 50 mm pan is meant for components and short pieces; a light, tared rest keeps a hunting arrow from rolling off.
• Keep a check weight on the bench: a 50 g or 100 g weight takes a few seconds and tells you the balance is still with you before you match a dozen.

Frequently asked questions

What is an arrow scale?

An arrow scale is a precision balance that weighs finished arrows and components in grains (GN). The A&D EJ-54D2 is our top pick at $389.00, with a 0.005 grain fine range and an 802.48 GN standard range for full arrows.

What readability do I need on an arrow scale?

Most archers match a dozen to about 0.1 grain. All three balances here display 0.02 grain in their full-arrow ranges, and the EJ-54D2 displays 0.005 grain on points, inserts and vanes in its 22 g range.

Will these balances weigh a full hunting arrow?

Yes. A 300 to 700 grain arrow is about 19 to 45 g. The EJ-54D2 goes to 802.48 GN (52 g), the EJ-123 to 1,851.88 GN (120 g) and the FX-120i to 1,882.74 GN (122 g). Tare a light cradle if the shaft needs support on the pan.

Do these arrow scales actually read in grains?

Yes. The official A&D EJ manual lists GN (grain, 1 GN = 0.06479891 g) for the EJ-54D2 and EJ-123, and the official FZ-i / FX-i manual lists Grain (UK) for the FX-120i at 1,882.74 GN x 0.02 GN. Select GN with the UNITS key on the EJ models or the MODE key on the FX-120i.

Are these arrow scales NTEP?

The EJ-54D2, EJ-123 and FX-120i are non-NTEP. Here is an NTEP alternative: the A&D FX-120iN, 122 g x 0.001 g, NTEP Class II, Certificate of Conformance 08-045A6, $679.00, in stock.

Should my arrow scale be calibrated before I use it?

Yes. Add in-house calibration with a certificate for $95.00, or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate for $395.00, and the balance ships ready to use. Keep a 50 g or 100 g weight on the bench for quick checks. See how often a scale should be calibrated.