Steel tip darts are the format for bristle dartboards and competitive play. Every player on the PDC Tour throws steel tip. Every pub board in the country is set up for them. If you are buying darts for a proper bristle board, this is what you need.
The range here covers everything from entry-level brass sets at under £15 to professional 90% tungsten barrels from Target and Unicorn. Weight options run from 18g to 36g. Filter by brand, material, or weight above to narrow it down.
Brass needs wider barrels to reach a given weight, which makes tight groupings harder around the trebles. Tungsten packs more into less space, so barrels sit slimmer at the same weight. At 90% tungsten you are at the specification every professional uses, meaning less barrel interference when darts cluster around the treble 20. The tungsten vs brass guide covers the full breakdown before you buy.
Most adult players settle between 21g and 26g. Lighter darts need more arm speed to fly cleanly, heavier ones ask more of the wrist when placing accurately. The dart weight guide helps narrow that down. Straight barrels suit a repeatable grip, while torpedo and bomb profiles shift the balance forward or central if the dart tends to drop nose-first. The barrel shape guide covers how each profile affects the throw.
Steel tip darts have a fixed, pointed metal tip and are designed for bristle dartboards. Soft tip darts have a plastic tip for use on electronic boards with scored holes in the surface. The two are not interchangeable. If you are playing on a traditional bristle board, you need steel tip darts.
The 21g to 24g range suits the majority of adult players. Lighter darts need a faster throw to travel straight; heavier darts are more forgiving on force but require more precision in placement. If you have no reference point, 22g or 23g is a reliable starting weight for most people. The dart weight guide goes into the detail on this.
For regular practice, yes. Tungsten density means narrower barrels at the same weight, which creates more room around the treble 20 when darts group tightly. Brass under £15 is fine for occasional play, but if you are throwing three or four times a week, 80% tungsten sets in the £30 to £40 range make a noticeable difference to grouping.
