Equipment guide

What Dart Weight Should I Use?

One of the most common questions when buying darts is: what weight should I use? Unfortunately, there isn't a single ideal dart weight.

Changing the weight can affect how the dart feels in your hand, how quickly you throw it and how much effort you naturally put into the throwing action.

How Does Dart Weight Affect Your Throw?

Dart weight can influence several areas of the throw, including muscle engagement, arm speed, tempo and stability.

A lighter dart may encourage you to put more energy into the throw.

A heavier dart can allow you to use more of the dart's own weight to carry it towards the board.

That can produce two noticeably different throwing sensations.

Are Heavier Darts Easier to Throw?

For some players, heavier darts can feel more stable.

The additional mass can create a feeling of the dart carrying itself towards the target rather than needing to be pushed towards it.

It may also naturally slow parts of the throwing action.

That doesn't make heavier darts universally easier or more accurate, however. It simply means the additional weight can complement certain throwing styles.

What About Lighter Darts?

Lighter darts can feel quicker and crisper through the air.

They may suit players with a naturally faster action, but some players find themselves putting more effort into throwing a lighter dart.

If you're constantly feeling as though you have to force the dart towards the board, the weight may not be working naturally with your throw.

Does Dart Weight Change Barrel Thickness?

Sometimes.

A heavier barrel may need to be slightly thicker to accommodate the additional material.

Manufacturers can alter dimensions and remove material internally, however, so two darts of different weights won't necessarily have dramatically different external dimensions.

This is important when comparing different weights of the same dart.

What Is the Best Dart Weight?

Rather than looking for a universally “best” weight, pay attention to what happens to your natural throwing action.

• Does the dart feel as though it needs to be pushed?
• Does a heavier dart slow your throw too much?
• Does the dart feel stable through the air?
• Can you reproduce the same throwing tempo without consciously forcing it?

Equipment should complement your natural throw rather than requiring you to manufacture a completely different one.

That's the philosophy behind DartsDNA: understand the player first, then find equipment that makes sense for their throw.