Every dart has a barrel — the metal section you grip before you throw. But not all barrels are shaped the same, and the shape you choose can have a bigger effect on your game than the weight, the tungsten percentage, or the flights combined.
Whether you're a beginner choosing your first set or an experienced player fine-tuning your setup, understanding barrel shapes is one of the most important decisions you'll make. This guide breaks down every major barrel shape, explains what each one does, and helps you work out which shape suits your throw.
Contents
- What Is a Dart Barrel Shape?
- Why Barrel Shape Matters More Than You Think
- Straight Barrels
- Torpedo Barrels
- Bomb Barrels
- Tapered Barrels
- Scallop Barrels
- Barrel Shape Comparison Table
- How to Choose the Right Barrel Shape
- Barrel Shape and Grip Position
- FAQ
What Is a Dart Barrel Shape?
The barrel is the main body of a dart — the thickest metal section between the point and the stem. It's the part you hold, and it's where most of the dart's weight sits. Barrels are typically made from tungsten, with higher percentages producing slimmer barrels at the same weight.
Barrel shape refers to the overall profile of that metal section: is it a uniform cylinder from front to back, or does it bulge in the middle? Does the weight sit at the front or the rear? Is the surface contoured with grooves, or smooth and straight?
These differences aren't cosmetic. They change how the dart sits in your hand, where the balance point falls, how the dart flies through the air, and how tightly your darts group in the board. Two 23g darts can feel completely different if one has a straight barrel and the other has a bomb shape.
Why Barrel Shape Matters More Than You Think
Most players spend time thinking about dart weight and flight shape, but barrel shape arguably has a bigger impact on your throw for three reasons:
1. It Determines Your Grip
Different shapes force your fingers into different positions. A straight barrel lets you grip anywhere along its length, while a bomb barrel naturally guides your fingers to a specific spot. If you haven't found a consistent grip yet, the shape of your barrel might be the reason.
2. It Controls the Balance Point
Where the mass is concentrated along the barrel shifts the balance point forwards or backwards. A front-weighted torpedo pushes the dart's nose down, producing a flatter trajectory. A rear-weighted scallop keeps the back end heavy, which can help players who throw with more arc.
3. It Affects Grouping
Slimmer, longer barrels can sit closer together in the board. Shorter, fatter barrels take up more space. If you're consistently bouncing your second or third dart off the ones already in the board, switching barrel shape can solve the problem without changing anything else about your throw.
Straight Barrels
Straight barrel profile — Red Dragon Razor Edge 1 85% Tungsten
A straight barrel is exactly what it sounds like: a cylinder with a consistent diameter from front to back. There's no taper, no bulge, and no contour. The weight is distributed evenly along the entire length of the barrel.
Key Characteristics
- Shape: Uniform cylinder, same width throughout
- Weight distribution: Even — no front or rear bias
- Barrel length: Typically longer than other shapes at the same weight
- Balance point: Dead centre
Who Should Throw Straight Barrels?
Straight barrels are the most versatile shape in darts. Because there's no contour forcing your fingers into a fixed position, you can grip the dart wherever feels natural. This makes straight barrels a popular choice for players who like to adjust their grip position depending on how they're throwing.
The even weight distribution also produces a predictable, neutral flight path. Many professional players, including Gary Anderson, have used straight or near-straight barrels throughout their careers for exactly this reason — consistency and repeatability.
The trade-off is length. Because the weight is spread evenly, straight barrels tend to be longer than other shapes at the same weight. This can be an advantage for grouping (slim barrels sit closer together) but can feel unwieldy if you prefer a compact dart.
Straight Barrels We Stock
- Red Dragon Razor Edge 1 — 85% tungsten, aggressive grip pattern, from £34.99
- Red Dragon Javelin Original — Red Dragon's longest barrel at 54.6mm, from £29.99
- Unicorn Wraith — 90% tungsten with maximum-control machined grip, from £76.95
- Red Dragon T-800 — surgical precision 90% straight barrel, from £81.99
- Datadart Orion Smooth — laser-engraved 90% smooth barrel, from £45.95
- Red Dragon Bull Hitters V1 — 90% tungsten, the Bull Hitters' signature dart, from £64.99
Torpedo Barrels
Torpedo barrel profile — Datadart Black Torpedo 90% Tungsten
A torpedo barrel is wider at the front and tapers towards the rear. The name says it all — it's shaped like a torpedo or a bullet, with the bulk of the weight pushed forward.
Key Characteristics
- Shape: Wide front, narrow rear — tapers back
- Weight distribution: Front-loaded
- Barrel length: Medium — shorter than straight, longer than bomb
- Balance point: Forward of centre
Who Should Throw Torpedo Barrels?
If you naturally grip the dart towards the front and throw with a flat, direct trajectory, a torpedo barrel is working with your technique rather than against it. The front-loaded weight means the dart's nose drops slightly during flight, which produces a flatter arc and can feel more "direct" towards the board.
Torpedo barrels are particularly popular with players who use a pencil grip or a two-finger pinch at the front of the barrel. The taper from wide to narrow gives your fingers a natural resting point and makes it easy to find the same grip position every time.
Rob Cross is one of the most famous torpedo users in professional darts — his signature darts feature a pronounced front-weighted profile that complements his fast, flat throwing style.
Torpedo Barrels We Stock
- Datadart Black Torpedo — sleek black PVD coating, 90% tungsten, from £53.95
- Winmau Sicario — mini-scallop cluster grip technology, from £69.95
- Red Dragon Paradym Torpedo — high-energy grip, compact form, from £79.99
- Datadart NYX — named for the goddess of night, 90% stealth barrel, from £59.95
- Mission Zero — 97.5% tungsten, the densest barrel in our store, from £99.95
Bomb Barrels
Bomb barrel profile — Harrows Bomber 85% Tungsten
A bomb barrel (sometimes called a barrel or bullet shape) is short, fat, and widest in the centre. It looks like a stubby bullet or a rugby ball — a compact, rounded profile with the weight concentrated in the middle.
Key Characteristics
- Shape: Short and fat, widest at the centre
- Weight distribution: Centre-loaded
- Barrel length: The shortest of all shapes
- Balance point: Centre, but in a much more compact package than a straight
Who Should Throw Bomb Barrels?
Bomb barrels suit players who prefer a chunky, solid feel in the hand. Because the barrel is short and wide, it fills your fingers more than a slim straight barrel — and many players find this gives them more confidence and control.
The compact shape also means there's less barrel sticking out above and below your fingers, which can help if you struggle with a consistent release. With less material to interfere with your throw, some players find bomb barrels leave the hand cleaner.
The downside is grouping. Bomb barrels are the widest shape, which means your darts take up more space in the board. If you throw a tight group, your second and third darts are more likely to deflect off a bomb barrel than a slim straight. For this reason, many bomb barrel users pair them with K-Flex stems or slim flights to keep the back end as streamlined as possible.
Stephen Bunting is one of the best-known bomb barrel throwers on the professional circuit, proving that the shape can compete at the highest level when paired with the right technique.
Bomb Barrels We Stock
- Winmau Blackout 2 Bomb — stealth looks, compact power, 90% tungsten, from £49.99
- Harrows Bomber — the classic bullet-style barrel, 85% tungsten, from £35.95
- Harrows Dimplex Bomb — a Harrows icon reborn in 90% tungsten, from £59.95
- Shot Zen Budo — a compact powerbomb built for consistency, from £49.95
- Shot Badlands Rustin — premium 90% bomb with renegade styling, from £124.95
Tapered Barrels
Tapered barrel profile — Harrows Control Tapered 80% Tungsten
A tapered barrel (sometimes called a teardrop or pear shape) gradually changes diameter from one end to the other. Unlike a torpedo, which has a distinct wide front and narrow rear, a tapered barrel features a smooth, continuous transition — usually wider at the rear and narrowing towards the point.
Key Characteristics
- Shape: Gradual diameter change from rear to front
- Weight distribution: Varies — can be rear-loaded or front-loaded depending on the taper direction
- Barrel length: Medium
- Balance point: Shifted towards the wider end
Who Should Throw Tapered Barrels?
Tapered barrels are a middle ground between straight and torpedo shapes. The gradual change in diameter gives your fingers subtle positional cues without forcing them into a fixed spot, making tapered barrels ideal for players who want some guidance from the barrel without being locked into one grip.
If you grip the dart towards the rear, a front-to-rear taper (wider at the back) puts more weight behind your fingers, which can help stabilise the dart during your throw. If you grip towards the front, a rear-to-front taper (wider at the front, like a torpedo) achieves the opposite effect.
Many of the most popular signature darts in professional darts use some form of taper. Luke Humphries and Nathan Aspinall both throw darts with tapered profiles that complement their grip and throwing styles.
Tapered Barrels We Stock
- Harrows Control Tapered — built for progressing players, 80% tungsten, from £39.95
- Winmau Sniper Black — an iconic barrel in black PVD, 90% tungsten, from £59.99
- Red Dragon Ikon 1.1 — a classic time-tested profile, 85% tungsten, from £49.99
- Mission Celestial Coral — stunning 95% tungsten with coral PVD coating, from £65.95
Scallop Barrels
Scallop barrel profile — Harrows Noble 90% Tungsten
A scallop barrel features one or more concave cut-outs along its length — crescent-shaped grooves that create defined finger positions. The name comes from the scallop shell shape of these recessed grip zones.
Key Characteristics
- Shape: Contoured with concave cut-outs (scallops)
- Weight distribution: Varies depending on where the scallops are placed
- Barrel length: Medium to long
- Balance point: Depends on scallop placement and barrel profile
Who Should Throw Scallop Barrels?
If consistency is your priority and you want your fingers in the same position every single throw, a scallop barrel is the most reliable shape. The concave cut-outs act as finger cradles — your fingertips naturally settle into the scallops, eliminating guesswork about where to grip.
This makes scallop barrels especially popular with players who use a three-finger or four-finger grip. Each finger has its own designated channel, which locks in your hand position and helps you reproduce the same throw over and over.
The trade-off is flexibility. Unlike a straight barrel where you can grip anywhere, a scallop barrel is designed around a specific finger placement. If your natural grip doesn't match where the scallops sit, the dart will feel awkward rather than natural. For this reason, it's worth trying scallop darts in person if possible — the fit is more personal than with other shapes.
Gerwyn Price has famously used heavily scalloped barrels throughout his career, with deep contours that lock his distinctive grip into place for every throw.
Scallop Barrels We Stock
- Shot Zen Scallop — clean, traditional scallop grip, 90% tungsten, from £84.95
- Shot AI Mimic — future-forward scallop design from Shot's AI range, from £79.95
- Harrows Noble — a showcase of Harrows' most complex machining, from £67.95
- Winmau Simon Whitlock World Cup SE — the scalloped dart that won a World Cup, from £59.99
- Shot Roman Empire Legion — deep scallop channels for total grip lock, from £94.95
Barrel Shape Comparison Table
| Shape | Length | Width | Weight Distribution | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | Long | Slim | Even | Versatile grip, tight grouping |
| Torpedo | Medium | Medium | Front-loaded | Front grippers, flat trajectory |
| Bomb | Short | Wide | Centre-loaded | Chunky feel, confident release |
| Tapered | Medium | Medium | Variable | Subtle guidance, smooth release |
| Scallop | Medium–Long | Medium | Variable | Fixed grip, maximum consistency |
How to Choose the Right Barrel Shape
There's no universally "best" barrel shape — the right choice depends on how you throw. Here's a quick decision framework:
Start With Your Grip
If you grip the dart at the front: Look at torpedo barrels. The front-loaded weight complements a forward grip and produces a flatter flight.
If you grip the dart in the middle: Straight or bomb barrels work well. Straight gives you more length and grouping potential; bomb gives you more substance in the hand.
If you grip the dart at the rear: Tapered barrels with a rear-heavy profile, or scallop barrels with rear-positioned finger grooves, will work with your grip rather than against it.
If you use a multi-finger grip (3+ fingers): Scallop barrels give each finger its own channel. This is the most consistent option for players who wrap several fingers around the barrel.
Consider Your Throw
Flat, direct trajectory: Front-weighted shapes (torpedo) keep the dart's nose down.
Arced, lob-style throw: Centre or rear-weighted shapes (bomb, rear-tapered) let the dart arc naturally without fighting its own weight distribution.
Quick, wristy release: Shorter barrels (bomb) leave the hand cleanly with less material to interfere.
Think About Grouping
If your darts frequently bounce off each other in the board, switch to a slimmer shape. Straight barrels at higher tungsten percentages offer the best grouping potential — which is why so many professionals throw slim, straight 90%+ tungsten darts.
For more on how tungsten percentage affects barrel dimensions, read our 90% vs 95% tungsten guide.
Barrel Shape and Grip Position
Your grip and your barrel shape need to work together. Here's how they interact:
Pencil grip (2 fingers + thumb): Works best with straight or torpedo barrels. The slim profile suits a precise, minimal grip.
Standard grip (3 fingers + thumb): The most common grip in darts. Works with any barrel shape, but scallop barrels designed for three-finger placement give the most consistency.
Four-finger grip: Needs a longer barrel with enough room for all four fingers. Straight or long scallop barrels are the best fit. Avoid bomb barrels — they're usually too short.
If you're unsure which grip you use, try this: pick up your dart naturally, as if you were about to throw, and count how many fingers are touching the barrel. That's your grip. Don't overthink it — your natural grip is usually the right one.
For more tips on improving your technique once you've found the right setup, see our guide on how to improve your darts accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What barrel shape do most professionals use?
It varies widely. Many top players use straight or near-straight barrels for their grouping advantage, but there are elite professionals using every shape covered in this guide. Luke Littler throws darts with a tapered profile, Gerwyn Price uses deep scallops, and Stephen Bunting throws bomb-shaped barrels. The "best" shape is whichever one matches your grip and technique.
Can I change barrel shape without changing weight?
Yes. You can find most weights in most shapes. A 23g straight barrel and a 23g bomb barrel weigh the same — the difference is where that weight sits and how the barrel feels in your hand. Higher tungsten percentages allow manufacturers to pack the same weight into a smaller barrel, giving you more shape options at your preferred weight.
Should beginners start with a specific shape?
Straight barrels are the safest starting point for beginners because they're the most versatile — you can grip them anywhere and they produce a neutral, predictable flight. Once you've developed a natural grip position and throwing style, you'll be better placed to experiment with other shapes that complement your technique.
Does barrel shape affect flight choice?
Indirectly, yes. Front-weighted barrels (torpedo) tend to work well with smaller flights because the forward weight already stabilises the dart. Rear-weighted barrels often benefit from larger flights to counterbalance the weight at the back. But these are guidelines, not rules — experiment with different combinations to find what works for your throw.
What's the difference between a torpedo and a tapered barrel?
A torpedo barrel has a pronounced, bulging front section that tapers sharply to a narrow rear — it's clearly wider at one end. A tapered barrel has a more gradual, continuous change in diameter. Think of a torpedo as a bullet shape and a tapered barrel as a gentle cone. The torpedo is more extreme; the taper is more subtle.
Find Your Shape
Barrel shape is one of those details that separates a dart that feels "okay" from one that feels like it was made for your hand. The good news is that there's no wrong answer — just different shapes for different players.
If you're not sure where to start, browse our full range of steel tip darts and filter by the shape that matches your grip style. And if you want to learn more about building the perfect setup, explore our other guides:
- How to Choose the Right Dart Weight
- Dart Flights Explained: Shapes, Sizes & How They Affect Your Throw
- 90% vs 95% Tungsten: What's the Difference?
- Best Darts for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide
- What Are K-Flex? The Integrated Flight System Explained
Need help choosing? Get in touch — we're always happy to help you find the right darts for your game.
