Choosing Your Perfect Dart Weight: A Kingston Expert's Guide

You're ready to buy a new set of darts. You walk up to the display and see a wall of options: 18g, 22g, 24g, 28g... What does it all mean? Does a heavier dart fly straighter? Is lighter better for accuracy? It’s the number one question we hear in our Kingston shop, and it's the most important one you can ask.

Choosing the right dart weight is the single most important factor in finding a dart that works for you, not against you. This guide will break down everything you need to know to select the perfect weight for your throw.

First: Steel-Tip vs. Soft-Tip Darts

Before we go further, we need to know what board you're playing on. The weight rules are completely different for steel-tip (traditional bristle boards) and soft-tip (electronic boards).

• Steel-Tip Darts: This is what most players in pubs and leagues use. The weight range is huge, from 18g all the way up to 40g (though most pros use 21g-26g). This article will mainly focus on steel-tip weights.
• Soft-Tip Darts: These are much lighter, typically 16g to 20g. The lighter weight is necessary to avoid damaging the electronic board's sensitive segments.

A Quick Pro-Tip: What Does the "Weight" Actually Mean?

When you see a weight printed on a dart package (e.g., "24g"), this number almost always refers to the weight of the barrel only. Your final, assembled dart—with the shaft and flight—will weigh an extra 1-2 grams. This is a key piece of info many beginners miss!

Heavy vs. Lighter Darts: The Great Debate

There is no single "best" weight; there is only the best weight for your throwing style. Here’s a breakdown of how weight affects your throw.

Heavier Darts (e.g., 25g - 30g+)

Think of a heavier dart like a truck; it has a lot of momentum and is very stable. It's less affected by small flaws in your throw.

• Who They're For: Beginners, players with a "lob" or high-arc throw, or players whose hands are a bit unsteady.
• Pros: Very forgiving. The weight helps pull the dart to the board, requiring less "flick" or power from you. They are great for building muscle memory.
• Cons: Can feel "sluggish" to some. It's harder to make fine-tuned adjustments if you're an advanced player.

Lighter Darts (e.g., 18g - 22g)

A lighter dart is like a race car; it's fast and precise, but it reveals every single mistake you make. You must have a very consistent, "straight" throw to use them well.

• Who They're For: Experienced players, "hard and fast" throwers, or players who throw with a very flat, direct trajectory.
• Pros: Allow for more "feel" and precision. Because you provide the power, you have more control over the dart's flight.
• Cons: Extremely unforgiving. Any slight wobble or bad release will be magnified, sending the dart off-target.

The "Goldilocks Zone" (22g - 24g)

If you're a new steel-tip player and have no idea where to start, you can't go wrong by testing darts in the 22g to 24g range. This is the "sweet spot" for a reason. It offers the best balance of forgiveness (from the weight) and feel (from not being too heavy). It's the most common weight range we sell here in Kingston for a reason.

How Your Throwing Style Impacts Weight

The final piece of the puzzle is your natural throw. You don't need to overthink this. Just ask yourself one question:

• Are you a "Hard Thrower"? Do you throw the dart fast and flat, like a rocket? You are powering the dart to the board. You will likely prefer a lighter dart (20g-23g) that gets out of your hand quickly.
• Are you a "Soft Thrower"? Do you throw the dart in a higher arc, letting it "lob" and drop into the board? You are guiding the dart and letting gravity help. You will likely prefer a heavier dart (24g-28g) that provides stability during its slower flight.

Your Dart Experts in Kingston, ON

Reading about dart weight is a great start. But the only way to know for sure is to feel the dart in your hand and throw it. An article can't tell you what "feels right," but our experts can help you find it.

That's where we come in. At Kingston Billiards and Games, we don't just sell you a box of darts; we help you find the perfect set for your throw and budget. Stop by our Kingston showroom, and our team will let you hold different weights, feel the balance, and even give you a few test throws. Don't guess and waste your money—let us help you find your perfect dart today.

📍 Visit Us:
1507 John Counter Blvd
Kingston, ON K7M 3L5

📞 Call Us:
(613) 561-6711

💻 Visit Us Online:
shop.kingstonbilliardsandgames.com