The tungsten percentage indicates how much of a dart barrel's material consists of tungsten. The remaining percentage consists of other metals required for the specific alloy.
The higher the tungsten percentage, the higher the material density generally is. This means that a barrel can be made more compact and slimmer at the same weight.
What Is Tungsten?
Tungsten, with the chemical symbol W, is an exceptionally dense metal. Its density is around 19.3 g/cm³, which is significantly higher than that of materials such as brass or steel.
Pure tungsten is not ideal for manufacturing dart barrels directly. That is why tungsten alloys are used for darts. The high tungsten content makes it possible to fit the desired dart weight into a comparatively small volume.
What Do 70%, 80%, 90% and 95% Tungsten Mean?
70% Tungsten
A comparatively low tungsten percentage. Barrels made from this type of alloy can be somewhat more voluminous at the same weight and are often more affordable.
80% Tungsten
A popular option for beginners and recreational players. The barrel can already be significantly more compact than a brass barrel without reaching the price level of very high-tungsten alloys.
90% Tungsten
A very common choice for high-quality darts. The high tungsten percentage allows for slim barrels and offers a good balance between compactness, manufacturing quality and price.
95% and More
Very high tungsten percentages allow for particularly compact barrels. However, the additional benefit compared with 90% tungsten becomes increasingly smaller and is often accompanied by a higher price.
Tungsten Percentage and Dart Barrel Diameter
The higher the material density, the less volume is required to achieve a specific weight. This is why a dart with a higher tungsten percentage can have a slimmer barrel at the same weight.
|
Tungsten Percentage |
Approximate Density |
Typical Effect on Barrel Size |
|
80% |
approx. 15–16 g/cm³ |
Slightly more voluminous |
|
90% |
approx. 17 g/cm³ |
Slimmer and more compact |
|
95% |
approx. 18 g/cm³ |
Even more compact |
|
97% |
approx. 18–18.5 g/cm³ |
Very high material density |
Important: The actual barrel diameter does not depend on the tungsten percentage alone. Weight, length, shape and barrel construction also influence the dimensions. The table should therefore only be used as a general guide.
Why Does Tungsten Allow for Slim Dart Barrels?
Tungsten is significantly denser than materials such as brass. This means that a 23- or 24-g dart with a high tungsten percentage can be made considerably more compact than a comparable dart made from a less dense material.
This can be helpful when grouping multiple darts: A slim barrel takes up less space on the board and leaves more room for subsequent throws.
Especially when practising on small target areas, a compact barrel design can therefore be an advantage. However, it does not automatically make a dart more accurate – technique, balance, weight and throwing style remain crucial.
Dart Barrel Diameter, Weight and Grip
-
Diameter: A higher tungsten percentage generally allows for a slimmer barrel at the same weight.
-
Weight: The tungsten percentage does not determine the desired overall dart weight. A 24-g dart, for example, can be made with 80%, 90% or 95% tungsten. The main difference is the amount of material required and therefore the resulting barrel design.
-
Grip: Grip is primarily created by the shape and machining of the barrel – for example through rings, knurling, scallops or other machining patterns. A higher tungsten percentage therefore does not automatically mean more grip.
-
Finger Contact Area: A very slim barrel provides less surface area for your fingers. Depending on your grip technique and hand size, this can feel noticeably different.
Why Doesn't More Tungsten Automatically Mean Better Darts?
A higher tungsten percentage has one main design advantage: the barrel can be made slimmer at the same weight. However, this does not mean that every player will perform better with 95% tungsten than with 80% or 90%.
-
The additional increase in density becomes smaller as the tungsten percentage rises.
-
Higher tungsten percentages are often associated with higher production costs and prices.
-
The characteristics of the complete barrel also depend on the alloy used and the manufacturing process.
-
Shape, length, balance and grip can be more important for your personal feel and performance than the final few percentage points of tungsten.
-
A high-quality 80% or 90% tungsten barrel can be an excellent match for your individual throwing style.
Practical tip: If you are switching from brass to tungsten darts, the difference in barrel design will usually be much more noticeable than the difference between 90% and 95% tungsten. For many players, 90% is therefore a sensible starting point – but the most important factors are still weight, shape and grip.
Which Tungsten Percentage Is Right for You?
You Want an Affordable Entry-Level Option
80% tungsten already offers the benefits of significantly higher material density compared with brass and is more than sufficient for many beginners.
You Want a Slim All-Round Dart Barrel
90% tungsten is a popular choice when you want a compact barrel with a good balance between barrel design and price.
You Want Maximum Compactness
95% tungsten or higher can be interesting if you prefer an especially slim barrel and the higher price is not a deciding factor.
You're Not Sure Which to Choose
Focus first on weight, length, shape and grip. The tungsten percentage is important for the barrel design, but it is not the only factor when choosing the right darts.
The tungsten percentage primarily determines how compact a dart barrel can be at a given weight. More tungsten allows for a slimmer barrel, but it does not automatically make a dart better. When choosing the right darts, weight, shape, balance and grip are at least as important.
Information
Customer Service
Extras
Account