Are Tungsten Darts Better? A Deep Dive into the Dart Material Debate 🎯

In the world of darts, the choice of dart material can significantly influence your performance. Among the many options, tungsten darts are widely considered the gold standard, favored by professionals and serious amateurs alike. But are tungsten darts truly better than brass or nickel-silver alternatives, or is it just marketing hype?

In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore:

• What tungsten darts are

• The advantages of tungsten over other materials

• Different tungsten percentages and what they mean

• When and why you should consider upgrading to tungsten

• Downsides (if any) of tungsten darts

• Who uses them—amateurs or pros?

Let’s break it down and determine whether tungsten darts are genuinely superior.

What Are Tungsten Darts?

Tungsten, or wolfram, is a dense metal known for its extreme hardness and high melting point. Because of its density, manufacturers use it to produce slim, aerodynamic dart barrels without sacrificing weight.

Tungsten darts are not made of 100% tungsten; instead, they are a tungsten alloy, typically combined with nickel or iron to make them machinable and resistant to corrosion. You’ll often see darts labeled with a percentage, like 80% tungsten, indicating how much of the barrel is made from tungsten.

Advantages of Tungsten Darts

✅ 1. Slimmer Profile for Tighter Grouping

Thanks to tungsten’s high density, a tungsten dart can have the same weight as a brass dart but a much slimmer barrel. This makes a huge difference when you’re trying to group darts closely together on the board, particularly in high-traffic scoring zones like the triple 20.

In competitive play, where every millimeter counts, tighter grouping leads to higher scoring and fewer bounce-outs.

✅ 2. Better Durability

Tungsten is extremely tough. Unlike brass, which can deform or wear down over time, tungsten barrels maintain their shape and texture even after thousands of throws.

This makes tungsten darts a long-term investment—you won’t need to replace them nearly as often as lower-grade darts.

✅ 3. Professional Grade Precision

Tungsten darts offer better balance and grip customization. Their slim design allows for more intricate cuts, knurling, and grooves that help players fine-tune their grip style and throwing consistency.

This is why nearly all professional players use tungsten darts.

✅ 4. Enhanced Aesthetics

While this might be subjective, tungsten darts often look more premium and modern, thanks to their sleek profile and metallic finish. They not only perform well but also look great in your case or on the board.

Tungsten Percentage: What Does It Mean?

Not all tungsten darts are created equal. You’ll see numbers like 80%, 90%, og 95% on product listings. Here’s what that means: