A COMPLETE GUIDE TO BUYING DARTS

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST DARTS FOR YOU

A dart consists of four main parts: the flight, shaft, barrel, and point.

The flight stabilises the dart's flight path, while the shaft connects the barrel to the flight.

The barrel, typically made of brass, nickel-silver, or tungsten, is the heaviest component and significantly impacts the dart's weight and balance. The point (also known as the tip) pierces the dartboard and can affect its penetration and rebound.

While the barrel is the primary weight factor, the flight and shaft also contribute to the overall weight balance. Even slight changes to these components can influence a dart's performance, affecting its trajectory, stability, and ease of throwing.

There are no specific dimensions or weights when it comes to darts, although typically most darts follow the same common measurements.

• Length: The length of most darts ranges from 5 to 7 inches (12.7cm to 17.8cm) in length
• Barrel Length:  The barrel length typically ranges from 1.81 to 2.09 inches (46 to 53mm).
• Point Length: The point or tip is usually 1.26 inches to 1.61 inches (23mm or 41mm) long.
• Weight: The most common weight range for darts is between 18 to 26 grams (0.63 and 0.92 ounces).

Please note that these are general guidelines, and the length and/or weight of some darts may not fall within these ranges. Ultimately the best dart for you will come down to personal preference which will be developed as you play. Figuring out what weight darts you like and the length/shape you prefer will help you improve your performance.

Dart players have a choice of three primary materials for their dart barrels: tungsten, brass, and nickel-silver. Each material offers a unique blend of performance, durability, and cost.

Brass barrel darts – For beginners on a budget, brass darts are a great starting point. They are affordable but tend to be heavier and bulkier, which can affect accuracy and precision. For a long time most players used brass darts, but with the introduction of other dart barrel materials their usage has dropped off. That’s not to say brass darts are no longer used however, as they are still suitable for use in pubs, clubs and in homes. Brass darts are less durable than the other types of darts, but they are also less expensive meaning they are ideal for beginners and those on a budget.

Nickel-silver barrel darts – Intermediate players may opt for nickel-silver darts, which offer a balance of affordability, durability, and performance. Sitting in between brass and tungsten darts when it comes to price, nickel-silver darts are made up of nickel, copper and zinc which results in a shiny silver finish.

Tungsten barrel darts – The pinnacle of dart-making technology is tungsten. Tungsten darts are dense, heavy, and durable, allowing for a slimmer barrel design. This slimmer profile enhances accuracy and scoring potential, making them the preferred choice for professional players and serious enthusiasts. Given their elite performance tungsten darts are more expensive than other darts due to the higher cost of materials. Tungsten darts are not actually made from 100% tungsten as they wouldn’t have the required strength or durability. Instead, they are combined with other materials such as nickel and copper which also contributes to the higher of tungsten darts because of the engineering required. The percentage of tungsten can vary from 80% to 97%, and as a general rule the higher the tungsten content the more expensive the darts will be.

When playing darts there are 5 main types of dart barrel grips; Smooth, Knurled, Ringed, Micro and Razor.

Smooth grip darts – a smooth dart barrel with minimal grip for effortless release. Grip level = 1

Knurled grip darts – a knurled dart barrel typically has cross-hatch etching on the barrel to offer a modest level of grip. Grip level = 2

Ringed grip darts – a ringed dart barrel has rings cut into the barrel to create a medium level of grip. Grip level = 3

Micro grip darts – a micro grip barrel has tightly spaced grooves/ridges etched into the barrel to create a grippy dart. Grip level = 4

Razor grip darts – a razor grip dart barrel is made up of sharp, finely milled grooves that create the highest level of grip. Grip level = 5

Beginners often benefit from darts with a moderate grip, such as a ringed or knurled grip. These patterns provide sufficient friction to ensure a secure hold without being overly ‘grippy’. As players gain experience, they may prefer a completely smooth grip that has no friction. On the flip side, some may prefer a more pronounced grip, like a micro or razor grip, to enhance control and precision, whilst others stick with darts that offer a moderate amount of grip. Professional players often opt for highly customised darts with specific grip patterns tailored to their individual preferences.

Dart barrels come in various shapes, and each has its own pros and cons. Once again, you’ll need to experiment with different barrel shapes to find out which you prefer. Below we’ve outlined the different shapes available:

• Straight Dart barrels - a classic, simple barrel shape with a uniform diameter and even weight distribution from front to back. The most popular barrel shape used.
• Bomb Dart Barrels - a short barrel which is typically quite chunky/wide throughout
• Torpedo Dart Barrels – another compact barrel but tapered and not as wide as bomb dart barrels
• Scallop Dart Barrels – feature an indented section with grooves or scallops for consistent finger placement
• Tapered Dart Barrels – the barrel gradually narrows towards the shaft
• Stealth Dart Barrels – a slim and aerodynamic barrel that is thin at the front and thicker at the back

As we’ve already covered there are plenty of darts to choose from and personal preference plays a big part when choosing which darts to buy. The below is designed to serve as a rough guide.

Darts for Beginners

For beginner dart players, it is important to focus on getting darts that are comfortable in your hand and affordable. Typically, these darts will help you get a feel for the game and allow you to practice throwing techniques without spending too much. As you play more, you’ll begin to develop a preference on what weight darts you like, the barrel grip types you prefer etc.

• Weight: 22-24 grams
• Materials: Brass or nickel-silver
• Grip: Straight barrel with a simple grip pattern

Darts for Intermediate or Expert Players

As players progress to intermediate and expert levels, they tend to explore tungsten darts and lighter weights to achieve greater accuracy and control. Using different types of darts as a beginner will allow you to figure out which darts you like prior to investing in a set of darts you plan to use long-term.

• Weight: 18-22 grams
• Material: Nickel-Silver or Tungsten
• Grip: Tailored or straight barrel with a more complex grip