Beginner Darts: What Weight Should You Choose?

The ideal dart weight for most beginners is between 22g and 24g. This mid-range offers the best balance between control and momentum, making it the easiest to develop a consistent throw. But the "perfect" weight ultimately depends on your throwing style, grip, and personal preference.

The Weight Spectrum

Darts range from 12g to 50g, but the vast majority of players use between 18g and 28g. Here's what each range feels like:

Lightweight (16g–20g)

• Requires more force to reach the board
• More affected by small inconsistencies in your throw
• Preferred by players with a fast, snappy action
• Common in soft-tip/electronic darts (usually 16–18g)

Mid-weight (21g–24g)

• The sweet spot for most players
• Forgiving of minor technique errors
• Good balance of speed and momentum
• Recommended starting point for beginners

Heavyweight (25g–30g+)

• Requires less throwing force
• Flies on a more arced trajectory
• Can feel sluggish to fast throwers
• Preferred by players with a smooth, lob-style throw

How to Find Your Ideal Weight

Step 1: Start at 22–24g

Borrow or buy a set of 23g or 24g darts. These are the most common weights in pubs and clubs, so you'll be familiar with how they feel.

Step 2: Try adjacent weights

After a few sessions, try a set that's 2g lighter and 2g heavier. Most dart shops will let you test throw, and many bars have multiple sets of house darts.

Step 3: Pay attention to these signs

Step 4: Settle in and practice

Once you find a weight that feels natural, stick with it for at least a month. Constantly switching weights prevents muscle memory from developing.

Weight and Material

Dart weight isn't just about the number — the barrel material matters too:

Brass (budget, €10–20)

• Less dense, so heavier darts are thicker
• A 24g brass barrel is noticeably fatter than 24g tungsten
• Fine for starting out, but thick barrels make tight grouping harder

Nickel-Silver (mid-range, €20–40)

• Denser than brass, slimmer barrels
• Good upgrade when you outgrow brass

Tungsten (performance, €30–100+)

• The densest common material
• Slim barrels even at heavy weights
• Allows tighter groupings
• What serious players use — 80% tungsten is the best value, 90%+ for competition

Tip: Start with brass at 22–24g to find your preferred weight, then upgrade to tungsten in the same weight once you're committed.

What the Pros Use

Most professional players throw between 21g and 26g:

• Light throwers (21–22g): Fast, direct throwing style
• Mid throwers (23–24g): The most common pro weight
• Heavy throwers (25–26g): Smooth, arcing throw

The PDC average has been trending slightly lighter over the years, but the best weight is the one that suits your natural throw.

Soft Tip vs Steel Tip Weight

If you play on electronic dartboards, be aware that soft-tip darts are typically lighter (16–20g) due to board limitations. Read our comparison of steel tip vs soft tip darts for more details.

Try Before You Buy

The best way to find your weight is to play. Head to a bar with dartboards, try different house darts, and see what feels right. Use FindMyDarts to find darts venues near you — many have a variety of house darts available.

Once you've found your weight, check out our complete beginner's guide to choosing darts for tips on grip, flight shape, and shaft length.