How to Choose the Right Darts: Weight, Tungsten %, Barrel Shape & Grip

Walk into the world of darts and the choice can feel overwhelming. Weights from 12 grams to 50 grams, tungsten percentages, dozens of barrel shapes, and a wall of grips. The good news: once you understand what each element actually does, choosing the right darts becomes simple. This guide breaks down every part of a dart so you can buy a set that suits your throw — and your game — the first time.

The anatomy of a dart

Every dart is made of four parts, and each one changes how the dart feels and flies:

• The point (tip) — steel for bristle boards, soft plastic for electronic boards.
• The barrel — the metal body you grip. This is where weight, material and grip pattern live.
• The shaft (stem) — connects the barrel to the flight and affects balance and flight angle.
• The flight — the “wings” that create drag and stabilise the dart in the air.

You can mix and match shafts and flights endlessly, but the barrel is the heart of the dart and the part you should choose most carefully. Let’s start with the single biggest decision: weight.

Dart weight: the most important choice

Dart weight is measured in grams and refers to the barrel (the number on the packaging is the barrel weight; points, shafts and flights add a little on top). Most players land somewhere between 20 and 26 grams, and the majority of professionals throw between 20 and 24 grams.

The principle to remember: the lighter the dart, the harder you have to throw it to reach the board; the heavier the dart, the more it relies on a smooth, relaxed release. If you naturally lob the dart with a gentle arc, lean heavier. If you throw flat and fast, lean lighter. If you’re not sure, start at 22–23 grams — it’s the most forgiving middle ground and the reason it’s the most common starting weight.

You can shop directly by weight if you already know what you want: 21g, 22g, 23g, 24g, 25g and 26g all have their own collections.

Tungsten percentage: why it matters

Quality darts are made from tungsten alloy, and you’ll see them advertised as 80%, 90% or 95% tungsten. That percentage tells you how much of the alloy is tungsten versus other metals like nickel.

Why care? Tungsten is incredibly dense. The higher the tungsten percentage, the slimmer the barrel can be for the same weight. A slim barrel means your darts group more tightly on the board — there’s simply less metal getting in the way of the next dart. That’s why serious players gravitate toward higher percentages.

• 80–85% tungsten — excellent value, slightly thicker barrels, great for newer players.
• 90% tungsten — the sweet spot for most players: slim, durable and well-priced. Browse our 90% tungsten darts.
• 95% tungsten — the slimmest profiles for the tightest grouping, favoured by competitive players. See our 95% tungsten darts.

If you’re just starting and playing casually, brass darts are a perfectly good, affordable entry point. They’re thicker than tungsten for the same weight, but for learning the basics they do the job and keep the cost down.

Barrel shape and grip

The barrel’s shape determines where its weight sits and how it sits in your hand. There are three broad styles:

• Straight barrels — uniform thickness front to back. Predictable and easy to grip consistently; popular with beginners.
• Torpedo / bomb barrels — thicker at the front, tapering toward the back. The forward weight (“front-loaded”) suits players who grip near the point.
• Scalloped / shark-fin barrels — contoured to encourage a consistent finger position.

Grip refers to the texture machined into the barrel — from smooth, through fine knurling, to aggressive ring-cut grooves. The right grip lets the dart leave your hand cleanly at exactly the same moment every throw.

• Smooth / light grip — releases easily, good if you tend to hold on too long or have a fast throw.
• Medium grip — the all-rounder most players are happy with.
• Aggressive grip — maximum control and consistency, but can drag on release if you grip too hard.

There’s no “best” grip — it’s about matching the texture to how firmly you hold the dart. If your darts slip out early, go grippier. If they stick to your fingers and pull off line, go smoother.

Shafts and flights: fine-tuning your flight path

Once the barrel is sorted, shafts and flights let you fine-tune how the dart flies. They’re inexpensive, so experiment freely.

Shafts (stems) come in short, medium and long, in nylon, aluminium or carbon. A shorter shaft moves the flight closer to the barrel, which can tighten grouping; a longer shaft adds stability. Nylon is forgiving and cheap; aluminium and carbon are more durable and precise.

Flights control drag. A bigger flight (standard shape) creates more drag, lifting the back of the dart and producing a steeper, more arced flight — great for stability and heavier darts. A smaller flight (slim or pear) creates less drag for a flatter, faster trajectory that helps darts stack tightly. Browse our flights & shafts collection to mix and match.

A simple rule: if your darts wobble or drop short, try a bigger flight or longer shaft for more stability. If they’re bouncing off each other or flying too high, go smaller and shorter.

Steel tip or soft tip?

Your choice of tip depends on your board. Steel-tip darts are for traditional bristle boards and are the standard in pubs, leagues and tournaments. Soft-tip darts have flexible plastic points for electronic boards, which score automatically — popular for family rooms and venues. If you’re buying your first board too, decide this first, because it dictates everything else. Most serious players go steel tip.

Putting it all together: a quick buying checklist

1. Tip: Steel for bristle boards, soft for electronic boards.
2. Weight: Start around 22–23 g unless you know you throw very hard (lighter) or very gently (heavier).
3. Material: Brass to start cheap; 90% tungsten for the best all-round value; 95% for the slimmest barrels.
4. Barrel shape & grip: Match the grip texture to how firmly you hold the dart.
5. Shafts & flights: Start medium/standard, then fine-tune for stability or speed.

Don’t overthink it

Here’s the truth every experienced player will tell you: consistency beats specification. A mid-range set you throw every day will beat a premium set you fuss over. Pick a sensible weight, a quality barrel and a grip that feels natural, then put the hours in.

Ready to choose? Explore our full darts collection, or jump straight to 90% tungsten and 95% tungsten sets. Need shafts and flights to fine-tune your setup? They’re all in our flights & shafts collection.