Parts of a Dart Explained: Barrel, Shaft, Flight and Point

A dart looks simple, but each of its four parts changes how it flies. Knowing what they do helps you choose the right darts, and fix them when something breaks.

1. The point

The sharp tip that sticks in the board. Steel-tip darts (used on traditional bristle boards) have a metal point. Soft-tip darts (used on electronic boards) have a plastic one. Steel points get blunt and burred over time, which causes bounce-outs. A quick sharpen fixes it. See how to sharpen your dart points.

2. The barrel

The part you hold, and the most important part of the dart. Barrels are usually made of tungsten or brass.

• Tungsten is heavy for its size, so the barrel can be slimmer. Darts sit closer together in the board, which helps when you're aiming for a treble. Look for the percentage (80% or 90% tungsten is common).
• Brass is cheaper and thicker. Fine for beginners and casual play.

Barrels also vary in weight (most players use 20 to 26 grams), shape and grip (the knurling or rings cut into the surface). There's no right answer. Try a few and see what feels natural. Our guide to the best dart sets for beginners can help.

3. The shaft

Also called the stem. It screws into the barrel and holds the flight. Shafts come in different lengths:

• Short: more stable for a straight, flat throw.
• Medium: the most popular, a good place to start.
• Long: suits a loopier throw where the dart arcs into the board.

They're usually made of nylon (cheap but snaps) or aluminium (stronger but can bend). Read aluminium vs nylon shafts for the pros and cons. Our Aluminium Dart Shafts come in short, medium and long.

Tip: if your shafts keep unscrewing themselves, add O-rings. And when a shaft snaps inside the barrel, a Broken Shaft Removal Tool gets it out.

4. The flight

The wings at the back that keep the dart flying straight. Bigger flights (like "standard" shape) add drag and stability. Smaller, slimmer flights are faster and suit a hard, straight throw.

Flights get damaged more than anything else, especially from Robin Hoods (one dart hitting another). They also have a habit of falling out. Aluminium Flight Rings clip on the end of the shaft and hold them in place. More in how to stop your flights falling out.

If you use flights that need a hole punching for a locking system, the Dart Flights Hole Punch does it cleanly.

The bits you'll replace most

Barrels last for years. Points, shafts and flights are the parts that wear out, so keep spares in your case. Our Flight & Shaft Grip Kit and Player's Essentials Pack cover most of it. Free UK delivery on every order.