Dart Tips: Steel vs Soft (and When to Swap)
Three bounce-outs in a single leg, and the last dart is still rolling under the table. Before you blame the board, take a hard look at the business end of your darts.
That pointy end is the dart tip — the part that actually makes contact with the board. Tips come in two main types, and the right one depends entirely on what you're throwing at.
Steel Tips
Steel-tip darts are the traditional form. The point is made of steel and built for bristle dartboards, where it sticks in firmly and holds.
They're durable, and they're the standard in professional and competitive play. If you picture a pub board or a televised match, you're picturing steel tips.
Soft Tips
Soft-tip darts use a point made of plastic or a similar soft material. They're built for electronic dartboards, which are covered in hundreds of tiny holes for the tip to land in.
The soft point makes them the safer option, which is why they're popular for recreational play and for kids. Here's our full guide to soft-tip darts if that's your setup.
Which Type You Actually Need
Your board makes this decision for you. A traditional bristle board calls for steel tips, full stop.
If you play on an electronic board — or you want something safe around children — soft tips are the right pick. Matching tip to board isn't optional; the wrong combination damages the board and ruins the game.
Tip Shapes and Sizes
Tips also vary in shape, and the differences serve different goals. A slimmer, sharper tip can be better for precision work like hunting the bullseye.
A broader tip offers a bit more stability, which can suit beginners. As with most dart gear, the "right" shape is the one that matches your game.
Wear, Breakage, and Spares
Dart tips wear down and break over time — it's normal, not a defect. Soft tips break more easily than steel, so they burn through faster.
That's why smart players keep spares on hand. Tips are sold in sets or individually, and a handful of replacements in your case costs almost nothing.
When a tip does give out, swapping it is a quick job. Our guide to replacing tips, shafts, and flights walks through it.
Keeping Steel Points in Shape
Steel tips don't break often, but they do dull and burr with use. A worn point grips the board less firmly, and that's when darts start clattering to the floor.
A few strokes on a sharpening stone brings the point back. Here's exactly how to sharpen dart points without overdoing it.
- Keeps steel tips sharp so darts bite the board instead of bouncing out
- Five sharpeners cover your dart case, game room, and travel bag
- Small and light enough to carry to league night or the bar
Give your points a ten-second check before each session — it's the fastest bounce-out fix there is.