Steel tip and soft tip are two distinct formats of darts, each with their own boards, rules, and playing experience. If you're deciding which to play — or considering trying the other format — here's everything you need to know.
The Fundamental Difference
Steel tip darts have a pointed metal point that sticks into a bristle (sisal) board. The board is made from compressed sisal fibres that close up after each dart is removed, making the board self-healing. This is the format used in all PDC and WDF professional tournaments.
Soft tip darts have a flexible plastic tip that fits into small holes on an electronic board. The board has a perforated plastic surface with sensors behind it that register where the dart lands and calculate scores automatically.
Key Differences Compared
Weight
- Steel tip: Typically 20g–26g, maximum 50g per PDC rules. Most professionals throw 21g–25g. Browse by weight: 22g, 23g, 24g, 25g.
- Soft tip: Typically 16g–20g. Lighter because electronic boards are more sensitive and can be damaged by heavy darts. Some modern e-boards handle up to 25g.
Boards
- Bristle boards (for steel tip) are silent, durable, and require no power. A quality board like the Winmau Blade 6 or Target TOR lasts 5–10 years with regular rotation. No electronics to fail.
- Electronic boards (for soft tip) provide automatic scoring, built-in games (Cricket, 301, 501, and dozens of variations), sound effects, and often multiplayer support with online connectivity. They need power and the plastic segments wear faster.
Throwing Distance
- Steel tip: 7ft 9.25in (2.37m) from the board face
- Soft tip: 8ft (2.44m) from the board face
The board height is the same for both formats: 5ft 8in (1.73m) to the bullseye centre. For a detailed setup walkthrough, see our dart board setup guide.
Bounce-outs
- Steel tip: Bounce-outs happen when the point hits a wire divider. Modern thin-wire and blade-wire boards (like the Winmau Blade 6) have significantly reduced this. A bounced dart scores zero.
- Soft tip: Bounce-outs are more common because the plastic tip must fit cleanly into a hole. However, many electronic boards have a "bounce-out" sensor that still counts the throw if it registered the impact.
Noise
- Steel tip on bristle: A satisfying thud. Relatively quiet — neighbours typically won't complain.
- Soft tip on electronic: A sharp click/crack sound when the plastic tip hits the plastic board. Noticeably louder than steel tip on bristle, plus electronic sound effects if enabled.
Where Each Format Dominates
Steel Tip
Steel tip is the dominant format in the UK, Europe, and Australia. All major professional tours (PDC, WDF) use steel tip. Every British pub with a dart board uses bristle boards and steel tips. If you want to play competitively in the UK or Europe, steel tip is the format you need.
The world's top players — Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price — all compete with steel tip darts.
Soft Tip
Soft tip is hugely popular in Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and parts of the United States. Leagues in these regions often use soft tip exclusively. Japan's soft tip scene is one of the largest competitive darts communities in the world, with DARTSLIVE and Phoenix machines in thousands of bars and entertainment venues. Browse our Target Japan range for soft tip crossover equipment.
Soft tip is also popular for casual home use worldwide because electronic scoring removes the need to calculate finishes and checkouts manually.
Can You Use Steel Tip Darts on an Electronic Board?
No. Steel tip points will damage the plastic surface of an electronic board, punching through the segments and breaking the sensors underneath. Always use soft tip darts on electronic boards.
However, some manufacturers make conversion points — removable soft tip points that screw onto steel tip barrels. Browse our dart points collection for options. This lets you use your preferred barrels on both board types, though the overall feel and balance changes with different points. Brands like Target Swiss Points make swapping between steel and soft tips quick and easy.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose steel tip if:
- You want to play pub/league darts in the UK or Europe
- You want to follow the same format as the PDC professionals
- You prefer a quieter setup
- You're happy to do your own scoring (or use a scoring app)
- You want a lower-maintenance board with no electronics
Choose soft tip if:
- You want automatic scoring and built-in game modes
- You play in a soft tip league (common in the US and Asia)
- You want a more casual, party-friendly setup
- Children will be using the board (plastic tips are safer)
- You want online multiplayer features
For most UK players, steel tip is the natural choice. It's the format used in pubs, local leagues, the PDC, and the WDF. Browse our steel tip darts and bristle boards to get set up. Not sure which darts to buy? Read our beginner's buying guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?
Steel tip darts have a metal point and are thrown at bristle (sisal) boards. Soft tip darts have a plastic point and are thrown at electronic boards with automatic scoring. Steel tip is the standard in the UK and Europe; soft tip is popular in the US and Asia.
Are steel tip darts heavier than soft tip?
Can you use steel tip darts on an electronic dart board?
No. Steel tips will damage the plastic surface and sensors. If you want to use your steel tip barrels on an electronic board, use conversion points from our points collection — removable soft tip adapters that screw into the barrel.
Which type of darts do professionals use?
All PDC and WDF professional tournaments use steel tip darts on bristle boards. Players like Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Michael van Gerwen all use steel tip. There are professional soft tip circuits too, particularly in Japan, but the highest-profile events are all steel tip.
