The Best Dart Weight and a Guide to Choosing the Right Dart Weight for You

March 10, 2023 / by Deadeye Darts

Weight is an important factor in darts. From the most casual amateur game, all the way to the big leagues, dart weights have a significant impact on how players learn to throw, develop their skills and compete. And while dart weight might seem like an intuitive concept, there are a few things to know about how dart weights are measured.

Importantly, dart weights are often measured differently for different kinds of darts. For the professional standard steel tip, the weight measurement is usually given for the combined weight of the point and barrel. In steel tip darts, these two parts combined comprise the vast majority of the overall weight of the dart, so the shaft and flights aren’t usually factored in.

On the other hand, soft tip darts are generally measured with the combined weight of all the elements of the dart - the point, barrel, shaft and flight.

Why are there different dart weights?

Just like with any sport, the size, shape and weight of the hardware dart players use will have a big impact on their form, technique and playstyle. Naturally, some players prefer heavier darts for the more fluid, relaxed throw that these darts favour. In contrast, players who like to put a bit of force and speed into their throws will generally opt for lighter darts. Ultimately, darts come in a variety of weights because the best dart weight is different for every player.

Dart weights are also a significant factor in professional leagues for a number of reasons – including the boards that the leagues use. For example, some leagues restrict soft tip dart weight to around 25 grams, particularly if they use an electronic dartboard which can be damaged by heavier darts. On the other hand, the limit in most leagues for steel tip darts is a whopping 50 grams – much heavier than what most professional players use.

How do I choose the right dart weight?

There’s no right or wrong dart weight to use in order to pick the best darts to improve your performance. As long as you’re playing within the weight limits set by your club, or playing to suit your home set-up, it’s all about finding what works best for you. Most professional players use darts in the 20 - 24 gram range. But, whether you’re just starting out or doing the hard yards to evolve your play style, the best way to figure it out is by experimenting.

Some important things to consider when you’re experimenting with different dart weights include

How you like to throw - If you like to use quite a bit of power, opting for a lighter dart might suit you. On the other hand, if you have a more relaxed, smooth play style, heavier darts are generally better.

How you like to grip the dart - Some grip styles are naturally suited to certain barrel shapes – and this in turn can impact the overall dart weight. If you have a very tight, pencil-style grip, try a narrow pencil barrel on the lighter side of the spectrum.

What you’re using now - If you’re a confident player trying to find your ideal dart weight, it pays off to take some time. Try experimenting with dart weights 1 - 2 grams from your current range so that you can find your sweet spot without totally overturning your play style.

The best dart weight for beginners

If you’re keen to break into the game and have no idea where to start, your best bet is to try out the slightly heavier end of the average weight range. Start with darts from 23 - 29 grams, as this weight range gives you a decent idea of what the pros use, and tends to be a little more forgiving than lighter weights.

This range will also give you space to develop a form and play style that works for you, and small adjustments in weight from here won’t take you into unorthodox territory. Try the Bluefin 29 gram Steel Tip by Red Dragon for a weighty, balanced dart. Practice is extremely important so make sure you get yourself a dartboard for home and multiple dart weights to try out from brands such as Winmau, Deadeye, Harrows or your preferred brand. If you're not sure where to start picking a dartboard or darts, we have put together a guide on the best dartboards here and the best darts here.

The best dart weight for intermediates

As you progress in skill and become more comfortable with your technique, you might begin to venture into more specialised barrel shapes or weight distributions to find what helps you land your shots every time. For many players, that means progressing from heavier, wider barrels to lighter, more narrow barrels as they gain confidence and control.

Importantly, moving towards narrower barrels doesn’t have to mean sacrificing weight if you don’t want to. Modern darts made from tungsten alloys, while often more expensive than their steel or brass counterparts, are also more dense, and can be just as heavy despite having a narrower profile.

The best dart weight for professionals

While there’s no such thing as the best dart weight for professionals, there’s definitely a general consensus in dart weights among competitive players in the big leagues – which is between 21 - 24 grams. While there are some incredibly successful outliers, like Stephen “The Bullet” Bunting who uses a 12-gram dart, or Ryan “Heavy Metal” Searle who plays with a 32-gram dart, these players are indeed outliers, with the average weight floating around 22 grams.

Best front-weighted darts

Balance is another one of the many factors to consider when trying to hunt down the perfect dart for you. Barrels with a front-weighted balance tend to be favoured by players who grip the front end of the dart. For some players, having a lighter front-weighted barrel helps their darts to fly straighter, ultimately helping to tighten clustering and accuracy. The Winmau Maverick 24 gram Steel Tip is a solid option if you’re looking to try out a front-weighted dart for the first time. Check out our list of best WInmau Darts for more great options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard dart weight?

There’s no standard dart weight, as professionals and amateurs alike use a wide variety of dart weights. That said, there are standard competition weight ranges popular throughout the professional levels – like a maximum weight of 24 grams for soft tip competitions or 50 grams for steel tip.

What is the most popular dart weight?

The most popular dart weights vary between the style of the darts used, the skill levels of the players and whether they’re playing in a competition setting. For beginners using steel tip darts, the 23 - 29 gram range tends to be popular, while professionals tend to opt for a lighter range.

What is the average dart weight?

While most professional leagues allow darts between 12 - 50 grams, the majority of players, both professional and amateur, go for dart weights between 16 - 26 grams. The majority of darts are also made in this weight range – so aiming here might give you the best variety when you’re shopping around.

What dart weight do professionals use?

Most professional players in the big leagues gravitate towards the 22-gram mark. Scottish world champion Peter Wright most often uses 22-gram darts, while Gerwyn Price throws 24-gram darts. While this range is the most popular at the highest competitive levels, there are also some outliers like Stephen Bunting, who uses super lightweight 12-gram darts, while Ryan Searle competes with 32-gram darts.

Are heavier darts more accurate?

Heavier darts aren’t necessarily more accurate than lighter darts. Accuracy is ultimately the combination of a huge number of factors, including grip, consistency, play style, power and more. Heavier darts do generally fly straighter than lighter darts, but this is also dependent on how they are thrown.

Which dart weight is right for me?

The right dart weight for you is completely subjective. If you have no idea where to start, try using the professional average weight of 22 grams and up, so you can find the most comfortable grip, power level and play style for you.