For beginners, steel-tip darts weighing 22–24 g are a very good starting point. We recommend barrels made from 80–90% tungsten, a straight barrel shape and a medium grip. Soft-tip darts are a good alternative if you prefer an electronic dartboard – for example for families, children, social games or if you want automatic scoring.
In this beginner's guide, you will learn what to look for when choosing darts, a dartboard and the right accessories.
Steel-Tip Darts
Steel point: The classic standard for sisal or bristle dartboards. Steel-tip darts offer a direct playing feel and are used in most traditional darts competitions.
The throwing distance is 2.37 m. They are ideal for home use and for players who want to develop their game with a clear focus. Keep in mind that the points are sharp and scoring is manual.
Soft-Tip Darts
Plastic tip: Designed for electronic dart machines and dartboards. They are particularly practical for families, parties and social games because the score is counted automatically and numerous game variants are available.
The throwing distance is often 2.44 m, depending on the machine and rules. Dart weights are usually in the 16–20 g range. Soft tips can break more frequently, but they are quick and inexpensive to replace.
For most beginners: If you want to learn traditional darts and may later want to progress in a club or competition, steel-tip darts are a good starting point. For families, social games and automatic scoring, soft-tip darts offer a practical alternative.
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Steel-tip darts: 22–24 g is a very good starting range, with 23 g being a popular middle ground. Many experienced players also use darts in this weight range. Lighter darts can move more quickly with a powerful or slightly inconsistent throw, while heavier darts often provide a different, calmer feeling in flight.
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Soft-tip darts: 16–18 g is a good starting point for many beginners. Depending on the electronic dartboard and rules, weights of up to around 20 g are also common.
The right dart weight is a very personal choice. What matters is that the darts feel natural in your hand and allow you to develop a consistent flight path and controlled throw.
Which Barrel Shape Is Suitable for Beginners?
Straight barrels are particularly straightforward for beginners. Their parallel shape provides a neutral weight distribution and allows for different grip positions without forcing the player into a particular grip style.
A typical barrel length for beginners is around 48–55 mm. Even more important than the exact length is a grip that feels secure in the hand without being too aggressive. A medium grip with rings or light knurling is versatile and suitable for many beginners.
How Much Tungsten Should a Dart Have?
Brass / Alloy
An inexpensive option for getting started. Since brass has a lower density than tungsten, brass barrels are usually significantly thicker at the same weight.
Nevertheless, they are a sensible option for testing whether darts are the right hobby for you.
80–90% Tungsten
An interesting combination of shape, weight and price for many players. Thanks to tungsten's higher density, barrels can be made slimmer at the same weight.
80–90% tungsten is therefore a very good range for high-quality beginner and all-round darts.
Higher tungsten percentages such as 95% or more can allow for even slimmer barrels. However, the practical difference is relatively small for many beginners.
Which Flights Are Suitable for Beginners?
Standard flights (often referred to as No. 2) are a very good starting point. Their larger surface area provides a controlled and predictable flight path and is generally more forgiving of minor throwing errors than very slim flight shapes.
Once you feel more confident with your throw, you can try different flight shapes and adjust the flight characteristics of your darts accordingly.
Which Shafts Are Suitable for Beginners?
Medium nylon shafts are a versatile and straightforward choice for getting started. They are lightweight, inexpensive and provide a balanced foundation for developing a consistent throw.
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Short shafts: Can encourage a steeper flight angle.
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Medium shafts: A versatile starting point for many players.
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Long shafts: Can provide a different balance and a calmer flight behaviour.
Aluminium or carbon shafts are an option if durability is particularly important to you. For beginners, however, nylon is more than sufficient.
Which Dartboard Is Suitable for Beginners?
Steel-Tip Darts
A high-quality sisal or bristle dartboard with a thin blade wire system is recommended. Thin wires reduce the obstacles on the playing surface and can therefore help reduce the number of bounce-outs.
A well-known example is the Winmau Blade 6. Target, Unicorn and Mission also offer comparable high-quality dartboards.
Soft-Tip Darts
A compatible electronic dartboard with automatic scoring is particularly practical for beginners, families and groups.
Many machines also offer numerous game variants and different difficulty levels.
Important when mounting: For traditional steel-tip darts, the bullseye height is approximately 1.73 m above the floor, while the throwing line (oche) is 2.37 m from the front of the board. A surround protects the wall, while a dart mat protects the floor and can mark the throwing line.
What Other Accessories Do I Need?
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Spare flights, shafts and replacement points or soft tips.
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A dart wallet or dart case for safely storing and transporting your darts.
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Optional: surround, dart mat and dartboard lighting.
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A scoring app such as DartCounter if you play on a traditional steel-tip dartboard.
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For getting started, a complete set containing darts and a dartboard is often sufficient.
Common Beginner Mistakes in Darts
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Throwing too hard: Focus on a smooth, controlled throw rather than using as much power as possible.
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Holding the dart too tightly: Keep your grip relaxed and consistent.
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Unstable or constantly changing stance: Develop a consistent standing position.
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No clean follow-through: Let the throw finish naturally and extend your arm towards the target after releasing the dart.
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Constantly changing your grip or setup: Give yourself enough time to get used to a combination of barrel, shaft and flight.
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Incorrect distance or unsuitable equipment: Follow the dimensions that apply to your dartboard.
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Focusing only on hitting the target instead of technique: Consciously work on your stance, grip, release and follow-through.
Our Recommendations for Beginners
Good steel-tip darts for beginners (approx. 22–24 g, 80–90% tungsten):
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Red Dragon Javelin, Rebel and Amberjack.
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Target Exo, Hydro and similar all-round barrels.
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Winmau models such as Navigator, Skybolt and comparable designs.
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Harrows tungsten sets with a well-defined, comfortable grip.
Affordable entry-level option with brass darts: Unicorn, Harrows Heavy Metal and comparable sets under €25 are one way to gain your first experience with your own darts.
Soft-tip darts: Brass or alloy sets from brands such as Harrows, Target or Red Dragon in the 16–18 g range are a good starting point for many electronic dartboards.
Ideally, buy your darts from a specialist retailer that can advise you and, where possible, lets you try different weights, barrel shapes and grips. Start with a setup that feels comfortable and natural, and give yourself time to develop a consistent throw before changing your equipment frequently.
Enjoy your training and Good Darts!
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