Which Darts Fit Your Skill Level: Casual, Beginner, and Experienced Players Explained

Darts is a game you can enjoy at any level, from casually throwing darts with friends to serious practice for leagues and tournaments. But which darts are the best fit for your skill level? In this guide we explain the differences between casual players, beginners, and experienced dart players, and give clear advice on which darts you should choose.

The Casual Player: Playing for Fun With Friends and Family

A casual player throws darts occasionally, often during a night out or at home with friends. The focus is on fun rather than performance.

For this type of player, the following options work best:

• Brass darts

• Nickel silver darts

• Stainless steel darts

Why brass darts?

• Brass darts come with thicker barrels, the part you grip.

• They are less precise than tungsten darts, but that is fine for casual use.

• They are ideal for beginners who simply want to enjoy the game.

You can compare brass darts versus tungsten darts to a cruiser bike versus a racing bike. Both will get you to your destination, but if you want speed and performance you choose the racing bike.

It is important to note that choosing darts is always personal. A casual player can also start with 90 percent tungsten darts, depending on how much they want to invest. There are also affordable entry-level tungsten options available.

Watch our Brass- and nickel darts collection.

The Beginner Dart Player: Practicing More and Improving

A beginner plays more often and wants to improve their skills but is not yet sure whether they will commit to competitive play.

For this group, tungsten darts are the best choice. Tungsten is a heavy metal that makes barrels thinner, which allows darts to group closer together.

What to look for

• Tungsten darts with 70 to 80 percent tungsten are affordable and ideal for beginners.

• Higher tungsten percentages make barrels slimmer and more precise, but also more expensive.

• A 25 gram dart with 95 percent tungsten has a much thinner barrel than one with 70 percent tungsten, which makes grouping easier but is not always necessary for beginners.

Again, the choice is personal. A beginner can invest in 90 percent tungsten darts right away, but there are many budget friendly starter models.

Explore our tungsten darts up to 80%.

The Experienced Dart Player: Competitive Practice and League Play

An experienced player practices weekly, plays in leagues, or trains seriously to improve performance.

For this level, tungsten darts with 85 to 95 percent tungsten are essential. Most professional players use 90 to 95 percent tungsten darts.

Advantages of high tungsten darts

• Slimmer barrels make grouping easier.

• More consistent and accurate throws.

• Perfect for tournaments and competitive play.

Even experienced players decide how much they want to spend. Not everyone needs to buy the most expensive 95 percent tungsten darts right away. There are also excellent mid-range models that deliver strong performance.

Shop all professional tungsten darts.

Conclusion: Which Darts Are Right for You

• Casual players: brass, nickel silver, or stainless steel darts (affordable and great for fun).

• Beginners: tungsten darts up to 80 percent (budget friendly and better for practicing accuracy).

• Experienced players: tungsten darts between 85 and 95 percent (professional, slim barrels, maximum precision).

The choice depends on personal preference and budget. A casual player can start with professional tungsten darts, while an experienced player may begin with an entry-level model.

Frequently Asked Questions About Darts

What are the best darts for beginners?

• Tungsten darts with 70 to 80 percent tungsten are ideal to start with.

What is the difference between brass and tungsten darts?

• Brass darts are thicker and less accurate.

• Tungsten darts are slimmer, more precise, and allow tighter groupings.

Which darts do professional players use?

• Most professionals use darts made of 90 to 95 percent tungsten.

What weight darts should I use?

• Most players use darts between 21 and 26 grams.

• Beginners often start with 23 or 24 grams and adjust based on their throw.

Which darts are right for me?

• Casual players: brass or nickel silver darts.

• Beginners: 70 to 80 percent tungsten darts.

• Experienced players: 85 to 95 percent tungsten darts.

How do you sharpen dart tips?

• Use a dart sharpener or stone.

• Gently rotate the tip until it is smooth and slightly rounded.

• This keeps darts sticking well in the board without causing damage.