Soft Tip Darts: Not the Toy You Think
A dart clatters off the bar's electronic board and skids under a stool, and the bartender doesn't even flinch. "Plastic tips," he shrugs — nobody's putting holes in his wall tonight.
That's the whole pitch in one scene. A soft tip dart swaps the steel point for a flexible plastic one, keeping the tension of the game while dropping most of the danger.
What Makes a Dart "Soft Tip"
Instead of a sharpened steel point, each lightweight dart carries a molded plastic tip. That tip is shaped to slot into the tiny holes covering an electronic dartboard's face.
Everything behind the tip looks familiar: barrel, shaft, flight. Most tips simply screw into the barrel, so they're cheap and quick to swap.
The Board Keeps Score for You
When a soft tip dart lands, the electronic dartboard senses which hole it hit. It calculates the score instantly and keeps the game moving — no chalk, no mental math, no arguments.
Most boards go well beyond scoring. Expect built-in game modes, adjustable difficulty, sound effects, multiplayer options, and on some models, online play.
Why Players Choose Soft Tip
Flexible plastic points are far less likely to cause injuries or chew up walls, floors, and furniture. They still deserve responsible throwing, but they're the practical pick for homes and shared spaces.
That's why you'll find soft tip setups in bars, arcades, and family game rooms. It's also a friendly on-ramp to the game — here's whether soft tip darts are good for beginners.
- 21 matched 17-gram darts keep group play going through worn tips and lost darts
- Knurled nickel-silver barrels with precision rings give a secure, consistent grip
- Twist-top storage jar keeps the whole set organized at home or on the road
Can You Throw Soft Tips at a Bristle Board?
Technically yes, but you won't enjoy it. The flexible plastic points struggle to bite into a bristle board's tightly packed fibers, so bounce-outs interrupt the game constantly.
Repeated attempts also bend, dull, or snap the tips. Keep it simple: soft tips on electronic boards, steel tips on bristle.
How Heavy Are Soft Tip Darts?
Most soft tip darts weigh 16 to 20 grams, and many boards and soft-tip leagues cap darts at 18 or 20 grams. Always check your board's weight limit — darts over the recommendation can damage the plastic segments and the sensors underneath.
Lighter darts move fast and suit a controlled, fluid throw. Heavier ones feel more stable in the hand and need less force to fly straight.
Beyond that, it comes down to grip, style, and preference. Trying a few weights is the fastest way to find yours — even the pros land in different places, as you'll see in what soft tip darts professionals use.
Keeping Soft Tip Darts Alive
The plastic point is the most fragile part of the dart. A hard bounce-out or a direct hit on the floor can bend or break it, but a fresh tip screws in within seconds.
Never sharpen a soft tip. The point is molded to a precise shape — sharpening weakens the plastic and can stop it fitting the board, so replace it instead with the correct thread size and length.
The rest of the dart needs occasional attention too. Flights tear, shafts loosen, and barrels pick up oils from your hands, so keep a few spares nearby.
Stock spare tips in your case before game night — a broken point should cost you seconds, not the match.