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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IjGm/UrNiwFynEX9uUagaW6rZG06kPCVGSBGKryfDR3y4CMbmIWC/VtRVC7S6zmd
 u+Phuv25qO8dU0XdXCqYyw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-05-013644.txt : 20050705
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-05-013644.hdr.sgml : 20050704
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050705144459
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-05-013644
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050705
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050705

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000947484
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WESSEX HOUSE
		STREET 2:		45 REID STREET
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			HM 12
		BUSINESS PHONE:		441-278-9250

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WESSEX HOUSE
		STREET 2:		45 REID STREET
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			HM 12

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20000508

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	RISK CAPITAL HOLDINGS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950816

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	RISK CAPITAL RE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Hutchings W Preston
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001331038

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16209
		FILM NUMBER:		05936335

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		441-278-9250

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WESSEX HOUSE 45 REID STREET
		STREET 2:		4TH FLOOR
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			HM12
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-07-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000947484</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ACGL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001331038</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Hutchings W Preston</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WESSEX HOUSE, 4TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>45 REID STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMILTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>HM 12</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BERMUDA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP &amp; Chief Investment Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares, par value $.01 per share</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>45.34</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-07-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-07-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares, $.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents restricted shares which, subject to the applicable award agreement, will vest on July 1, 2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The stock option will become exercisable in three equal annnual installments commencing on July 1, 2005.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ W. Preston Hutchings</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-07-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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