How Many Types of Dart Are There? A Complete Guide

Quick Answer

There are primarily 4 main categories of darts: steel-tip darts, soft-tip darts, wooden darts, and plastic darts. Within these categories, there are numerous variations based on weight, material, flight shape, and specialized designs for different games and skill levels, resulting in well over 100 distinct types of darts available on the market today.

Show Image

The 4 Main Categories of Darts

1. Steel-Tip Darts

Steel-tip darts are the traditional choice used on bristle or sisal fiber dartboards. These darts feature metal points and are the standard for professional competitions.

Key characteristics:

• Weight range: 18-50 grams (professional players typically use 22-26g)
• Used with bristle/sisal fiber dartboards
• Standard in professional tournaments and British pub leagues
• Requiring more precision and skill
• More durable and offers better weight distribution

According to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), steel-tip darts are the official standard for all major international tournaments, including the World Darts Championship.

2. Soft-Tip Darts

Soft-tip darts feature flexible plastic tips and are used with electronic dartboards. They gained popularity in the 1970s and are now the standard in many Asian countries and American bars.

Key characteristics:

• Weight range: 14-20 grams (lighter than steel-tip)
• Used with electronic dartboards
• More forgiving for beginners
• Safer for home use, especially with children
• Popular in Japan, Taiwan, and the United States

The National Dart Association (NDA) reports that soft-tip dart tournaments have seen a 35% increase in participation over the last decade, particularly in East Asia and North America.

3. Wooden Darts

Wooden darts represent the game’s original form and are still used for certain traditional games and as training darts.

Key characteristics:

• Weight range: 12-25 grams
• Usually made from hardwoods like maple or birch
• Often used for lawn dart games or as decorative items
• Less precise than modern darts
• Primarily used for recreational purposes

4. Plastic Darts

Plastic darts are primarily designed for children, beginners, or casual play where safety is a priority.

Key characteristics:

• Weight range: 8-15 grams
• Usually feature magnetic or suction cup tips
• Ideal for toy dartboards
• Emphasis on safety rather than performance
• Affordable and easily replaceable

Dart Components and Variations

Each dart consists of four main components, each available in multiple variations:

Dart Barrels (20+ Types)

The barrel is the main body of the dart, which the player grips.

Material variations:

• Tungsten (80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%)
• Brass
• Nickel-silver
• Copper
• Aluminum

Grip patterns:

• Smooth
• Ringed
• Knurled
• Shark grip
• Pixel grip
• Precision milled
• Laser etched

According to ونماؤ, one of the leading dart manufacturers, tungsten barrels account for approximately 75% of all dart sales among serious players, with 90% tungsten being the most popular choice.

Dart Shafts (15+ Types)

The shaft connects the barrel to the flight.

Material variations:

• Nylon
• Aluminum
• Carbon fiber
• Titanium
• Composite

Length variations:

• Extra short
• Short
• Medium
• Intermediate
• Long
• Extra long

Locking mechanisms:

• Standard
• Spinning
• Locking
• Quick-release

Dart Flights (50+ Types)

The flight is the wing-like component that stabilizes the dart during flight.

Shape variations:

• Standard
• Slim
• Kite
• Pear
• Fan
• Lantern
• Delta
• V-wing
• Diamond
• Heart

Material variations:

• Polyester
• Nylon
• Plastic
• Foil
• Fabric
• Molded

Dart Points (10+ Types)

The point is the tip that makes contact with the dartboard.

Steel-tip variations:

• Fixed point
• Movable point
• Grooved point
• Diamond cut
• Conversion points

Soft-tip variations:

• 2BA thread
• 1/4 thread
• Tufflex
• Conversion points
• Spring-loaded

Specialized Dart Types

Beyond the main categories, several specialized dart types exist for specific purposes:

Professional Player Signature Darts

Major manufacturers produce signature darts designed to the specifications of professional players. These typically feature unique combinations of grip patterns, weights, and balance points.

According to ٹارگٹ ڈارٹس, signature dart sets from players like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen account for over 40% of their high-end dart sales.

Competition-Specific Darts

Some darts are designed specifically for certain competitions or game variants:

• PDC World Championship darts
• BDO specification darts
• League-specific darts
• Cricket-specific darts
• Around-the-clock darts

Training Darts

Training darts are designed to help players improve specific aspects of their game:

• Weight-adjustable darts
• Laser-guided darts
• Oversized grip darts
• Precision darts with special flights

Novelty Darts

Novelty darts offer unique designs that may sacrifice some performance for aesthetic appeal:

• LED light-up darts
• Glow-in-the-dark darts
• Custom-shaped barrels
• Themed dart sets (sports teams, bands, etc.)

Dart Weight Classifications

Darts are commonly classified by weight ranges:

Weight Classification	Range (grams)	Common Use
Ultra Light	12-16g	Soft-tip, beginners
Light	16-20g	Fast throwers, soft-tip
Medium	20-24g	Most common range
Heavy	24-30g	Hard throwers, steel-tip
Extra Heavy	30g+	Specialty throwers

Historical Evolution of Dart Types

The evolution of dart types reflects the game’s journey from casual pastime to professional sport:

Ancient Darts (Pre-1900s)

• Wood shafts and barrels
• Feather flights
• Metal tips (often repurposed nails or arrows)

Early Modern Darts (1900-1970)

• Brass barrels introduced
• Paper flights became common
• Standardized weights established

Modern Era (1970-2000)

• Tungsten barrels revolutionized the game
• Soft-tip darts and electronic boards emerged
• Synthetic flights replaced paper

Contemporary Darts (2000- Present)

• Ultra-precise manufacturing techniques
• Multi-material composite constructions
• Aerodynamically optimized designs

According to the World Darts Federation, the introduction of precision-machined tungsten barrels in the 1970s marked the most significant advancement in dart technology, improving accuracy by an estimated 28% compared to traditional brass darts.

Dart Types by Game Variation

Different dart games often utilize specific types of darts:

’01 Games (501, 301)

• Medium to heavy steel-tip darts (22-26g)
• Standard flights
• Medium-length shafts

کرکٹ

• Medium-weight darts (20-24g)
• Larger flights for stability
• Often feature enhanced grip patterns

چوبیس گھنٹے

• Lighter darts (18-22g)
• Slim flights for precision
• Often feature medium shafts

Expert Insights

According to John Lowe, three-time World Champion:

“The perfect dart is different for every player. I’ve seen world champions use everything from 18g to 28g darts. What matters most is finding the barrel grip, weight, and flight combination that complements your natural throwing style.”

Dr. Linda Duffy, sports psychologist and former world number one:

“Dart selection is as much psychological as physical. Players often perform better with darts they believe are right for them, regardless of technical specifications. That said, proper weight distribution and grip compatibility with your throwing style are scientifically proven to impact accuracy.”

How to Choose the Right Type of Dart

Selecting from the many types of darts should be based on:

1. Your experience level (beginners typically start with medium-weight darts)
2. Throwing style (hard throwers benefit from heavier darts)
3. Grip preference (experiment with different barrel textures)
4. Type of dartboard you use (steel-tip vs. soft-tip)
5. Game variations you play most frequently

The Darts Regulation Authority recommends new players start with 21-23g straight-barrel darts with medium shafts and standard flights, then adjust based on personal preference.

نتیجہ

With over 100 distinct types of darts, when considering all possible combinations of barrels, shafts, flights, and points, the variety allows players to find their perfect match. The four main categories—steel-tip, soft-tip, wooden, and plastic darts—serve as the foundation, while the numerous variations in components allow for customization to suit any playing style, skill level, or game type.

As dart technology continues to evolve, manufacturers regularly introduce new materials and designs, further expanding the already extensive range of options available to players from beginners to professionals.

FAQs About Types of Darts

What type of darts do professional players use?

Professional players predominantly use steel-tip darts weighing between 22-26 grams with tungsten barrels (usually 90-95% tungsten). However, preferences vary significantly among top players, with some professionals using darts as light as 18g or as heavy as 32g.

Are heavier darts better?

Not necessarily. Heavier darts (24g+) offer more stability and require less force to throw but can be harder to control. Lighter darts (18-22g) allow for a faster, more fluid throwing motion but may require more precision. The best weight depends on your throwing style and comfort.

What’s the difference between tungsten percentages in darts?

The tungsten percentage refers to the purity of the tungsten used in the barrel. Higher percentages (90-97%) create denser, slimmer barrels, allowing tighter groupings on the dartboard. Lower percentages (80-85%) are less expensive but result in slightly bulkier barrels. According to ہیرو ڈارٹس, each 5% increase in tungsten content reduces barrel diameter by approximately 0.5mm.

Can I use soft-tip darts on a bristle dartboard?

Yes, with conversion points. Soft-tip darts can be fitted with steel-tip conversion points that allow them to be used on traditional bristle dartboards. However, because soft-tip darts are typically lighter, they may not perform optimally when converted.

How often should I replace my darts?

Barrels can last for many years, but flights should be replaced every 15-30 sessions, depending on usage, while shafts typically need replacement every 2-3 months for regular players. Points may need resharpening or replacement when they become blunt or bent.