# 2.6.5 Autofill Bridge

<span style="font-family: monospace; color: #6b7280;">2.6.5</span> <span style="border: 1px solid #d1d5db; color: #4b5563; padding: 2px 8px; border-radius: 3px; font-size: 0.85em;">auto</span>

The **Autofill Bridge** setting controls whether Spectre Cloud automatically populates the bridge measurement field on a new spec sheet based on the bowler's grip style. When enabled, the engine applies the industry-standard bridge width for the detected grip type — `1/4"` for fingertip grips and `3/8"` for conventional grips — without the fitter needing to enter the value manually. For the vast majority of bowlers whose bridge falls at the standard width, this eliminates a repetitive data entry step on every spec sheet. This setting will simplify the data-entry process.

## 🎳 What Is the Bridge?

The **bridge** is the distance between the edge of the middle finger hole and the edge of the ring finger hole. It is one of the smallest measurements on a spec sheet but one of the most consistently standardised — most bowlers use the industry-standard width for their grip type, and deviations from standard are the exception rather than the rule.

- ✅ **Fingertip grip standard:** `1/4"` — the narrower bridge suits the extended finger position used in fingertip grips.
- ✅ **Conventional grip standard:** `3/8"` — the slightly wider bridge accommodates the deeper finger insertion of a conventional grip.
- ✅ Both values are industry standards and represent the correct starting point for the overwhelming majority of bowlers in each grip category.
- ⚠️ Both values are manufacturer minimum requirements for warranty purposes. If a ball cracks and does not meet these requirements, it is possible the ball is void of warranty.
- ⚠️ The bridge is the most fragile spot on the bowling ball and these defaults are STRONGLY SUGGESTED. It is not recommended to go shorter than what is suggested in Spectre Proshop Software.

## 🛠️ Enabling or Disabling Autofill Bridge

1. Navigate to **Settings** from the top menu.
2. Find the **Automatic bridge by grip type** option.
3. Toggle the setting on or off according to your shop's preference.
4. The change takes effect immediately for all new spec sheets. Existing spec sheets are not affected.

[![image.png](https://wiki.spectrebowling.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/C4Himage.png)](https://wiki.spectrebowling.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/C4Himage.png)

## 📊 Autofill Bridge Values by Grip Type

<table id="bkmrk-grip-type-autofill-b"><thead><tr><th>Grip Type</th><th>Autofill Bridge Value</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>**Fingertip**</td><td>`1/4"`</td><td>Standard for fingertip grip; suits the majority of fingertip bowlers</td></tr><tr><td>**Conventional**</td><td>`3/8"`</td><td>Standard for conventional grip; suits the majority of conventional bowlers</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Note:** Autofill Bridge requires the bowler's grip type to be recorded in Spectre Cloud in order to apply the correct value. If no grip type is on record, the field will remain blank pending manual entry.

### Related Sections

- 2.6.4 — Auto-invert standard lateral pitches when changing from RH bowler to LH
- 2.6.3 — Auto-CLT: lateral pitch of fingers based on CLT chart
- 2.6.2 — Pitch suggestion: auto forward pitch based on hand flexibility
- 2.6.1 — Overview: why leaving all auto-suggestions on saves time
- 2.6.6 — Next auto-suggestion setting *(if applicable)*
- 3.x — Bowlers: recording grip type in a bowler profile
- 4.x — Spec Sheet: entering and reviewing bridge measurements

**Tip:** Bridge is one of the most consistently standard measurements in pro shop fitting — the IBPSIA values hold for the vast majority of bowlers. Autofill Bridge is the auto-suggestion setting with the highest acceptance rate and the lowest override frequency. Leave it on and let it do its job.