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The definitive guide for steel tip dart equipment

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Soft Tip vs Steel Tip Darts: Which Should You Play?

Walk into a bar in the US: soft tip boards with plastic points and electronic scoring.

Walk into a pub in the UK: steel tip boards with metal points and manual scoring.

They're both darts, but they're surprisingly different games.

Here's what actually matters when choosing between them.

The Fundamental Differences

Target Size

Steel tip:

  • Doubles ring: 8mm wide
  • Treble ring: 8mm wide
  • Bull: 12.7mm diameter
  • Total scoring area: Smaller (wire takes up space)

Soft tip:

  • Doubles ring: ~10mm wide (varies by board)
  • Treble ring: ~10mm wide
  • Bull: 15.9mm diameter
  • Total scoring area: Larger (no wire blocking)

What this means: Soft tip is more forgiving. Same throw that hits wire and bounces out on steel will likely score on soft tip.

Throwing Distance

Steel tip: 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37m) from board face

Soft tip: 8 feet (2.44m) from board face

Difference: 2.75 inches farther for soft tip

What this means: If you practice one and play the other, your aim will be slightly off. Not huge, but noticeable at competitive level.

Board Height

Both the same: Bull at 5 feet 8 inches (1.73m) from floor

At least this part is consistent.

Dart Weight

Steel tip:

  • Typical range: 18-26 grams
  • Tournament max: None (but practically 30-40g is heaviest used)
  • Most common: 22-24 grams

Soft tip:

  • Typical range: 16-20 grams
  • Tournament max: 18 grams (varies by league)
  • Most common: 18 grams

Why the difference: Soft tip boards have electronic sensors. Heavier darts can damage the sensor holes over time. Also, lighter darts bounce out less from plastic boards.

Dart Points

Steel tip:

  • Metal point (usually tungsten or steel)
  • Sharp (requires periodic sharpening)
  • Sticks into sisal fiber board
  • Point length: 25-35mm typically

Soft tip:

  • Plastic point (various grades)
  • Blunt with ridges/teeth
  • Presses into plastic holes
  • Point length: Standard 2BA thread (most common)

Important: You can convert between them. Same barrel, just swap points. But you need conversion points (steel tip threads to soft tip points or vice versa).

Scoring Differences

Steel Tip Scoring

Standard games:

  • 501, 301, Cricket
  • Manual scoring (you call out your score)
  • Subtract from starting total
  • Must finish on a double

What gets counted: Where the dart sticks in the board (if it falls out before you remove it, it doesn't count)

Soft Tip Scoring

Standard games:

  • 501, 701, Cricket, Count-Up
  • Automatic scoring (board registers throws)
  • Subtract from starting total
  • Finish on double is optional (varies by game settings)

What gets counted: Where the dart registers when it hits (even if it falls out after)

Bonus: Some soft tip leagues have "white horse" (3 different triples in one turn = bonus points) and other variations steel tip doesn't have.

Which Is More Popular?

United States: Soft tip dominates (70%+ of leagues are soft tip)

United Kingdom: Steel tip dominates (90%+ are steel tip)

Europe: Steel tip (follows UK tradition)

Asia: Soft tip is huge (Japan has massive soft tip culture)

Why the US difference: Bars prefer electronic boards (automatic scoring, no arguments, tracks stats, money games built-in)

Skill Transfer Between Them

Can you switch between them?

Yes, but with adjustments needed:

Steel → Soft Tip

What's easier:

  • Larger target (more forgiveness)
  • Lighter darts (less arm fatigue)
  • No bounce-outs from wire

What's harder:

  • Distance adjustment (2.75 inches farther)
  • Lighter darts feel different (less momentum)
  • Board feels "springy" (plastic vs sisal)

Transition time: 2-3 sessions to adjust

Soft → Steel Tip

What's easier:

  • Slightly closer (2.75 inches)
  • Heavier darts more stable in flight

What's harder:

  • Smaller target (wires block more area)
  • Bounce-outs (dart hits wire and falls)
  • Heavier darts = more arm fatigue
  • Board feels "harder" (sisal vs plastic)

Transition time: 3-5 sessions to adjust (harder direction)

Key insight: Your mechanics transfer completely. The muscle memory works. You just need to recalibrate distance and adjust to dart weight.

Using The Same Barrels

Can you use the same darts for both?

Almost. You just need conversion points.

What you need:

  • Your barrel (same for both)
  • Steel tip points (for steel tip boards)
  • Soft tip conversion points (for soft tip boards)
  • Make sure thread size matches (2BA is most common for soft tip)

Example: I have two sets of the same barrel design - one is 21g for steel tip (at home for practice), the other is 19g for soft tip (at league). Same feel, just 2g lighter for soft tip to stay under league weight limits and reduce board wear.

Why separate sets instead of swapping points:

  • Easier to grab the right darts for each format
  • Don't have to swap points every time
  • Each set stays optimized for its board type

If you only want one set: Use conversion points. Just know you might be over weight limits for some soft tip leagues if your steel tip darts are 20g+.

Equipment Costs

Steel Tip

Board: $50-80 (Winmau Blade 6)

Darts: $20-200 depending on quality

Replacement parts:

  • Points: $5-15
  • Flights: $2-5
  • Shafts: $3-10

Maintenance:

  • Rotate board every few weeks (free)
  • Sharpen points occasionally ($0-10 for sharpener)

Board lifespan: 2-5 years with regular rotation

Soft Tip

Board: $200-800 (electronic boards vary wildly)

  • Cheap boards: $200-300 (basic features)
  • Mid-range: $400-600 (better sensors, more games)
  • High-end: $700-1000+ (tournament-grade)

Darts: $20-150 (generally cheaper than steel because lighter)

Replacement parts:

  • Soft tip points: $5-15 per pack (you'll break them more often)
  • Flights: $2-5
  • Shafts: $3-10

Maintenance:

  • Replace broken tips regularly
  • Clean sensor holes occasionally

Board lifespan: 3-7 years (depends on quality and usage)

Key difference: Steel tip boards are cheaper upfront. Soft tip boards cost more but include scoring, stats tracking, and game variations.

Practice Quality

Steel Tip

Pros:

  • Immediate tactile feedback (hear/feel dart stick)
  • True representation of dart flight (no electronic interference)
  • Forces you to aim precisely (unforgiving target)

Cons:

  • Manual scoring (can be tedious alone)
  • More bounce-outs (frustrating)
  • Need to track own stats

Soft Tip

Pros:

  • Automatic scoring (practice solo easily)
  • Built-in stats tracking
  • Less frustrating (fewer bounce-outs)
  • Many game variations built-in

Cons:

  • Sensors can misread occasionally
  • Doesn't prepare you for steel tip wire bounce-outs
  • "Easier" target might build bad habits if you plan to play steel

For home practice: Steel tip is better if you plan to compete in steel. Soft tip is better for casual play and solo practice.

League Play

Steel Tip Leagues

Format:

  • Teams of 4-6 players typically
  • 501 and Cricket most common
  • Manual scoring (each team tracks)
  • Disputes resolved by team captains

Atmosphere:

  • Usually in pubs/bars
  • More traditional "darts culture"
  • Slower pace (scoring takes time)

Competition level:

  • US: Fewer leagues, but serious players
  • UK: Everywhere, all skill levels

Soft Tip Leagues

Format:

  • Teams of 3-5 players typically
  • 501, Cricket, Count-Up
  • Automatic scoring
  • No disputes (board is final)

Atmosphere:

  • Bars, arcades, dedicated dart venues
  • Faster pace (no scoring delays)
  • More casual-friendly

Competition level:

  • US: Very common, all skill levels
  • Asia: Extremely competitive

The Bounce-Out Problem

Steel tip's biggest frustration: Dart hits the wire between segments and bounces out. Doesn't count.

How often:

  • Beginners: 5-10% of throws
  • Intermediate: 3-5%
  • Advanced: 1-2%

Why it matters: You can throw a perfect triple 20, hit the wire, and get zero points. This doesn't happen on soft tip (no wires).

Mental game: Steel tip forces you to accept variance. Soft tip is more "fair" in that regard.

Which Should You Play?

Play Steel Tip If:

  • You're in the UK or Europe
  • You want traditional darts experience
  • You prefer pub atmosphere
  • You want to compete internationally (PDC, BDO = steel tip)
  • You don't mind manual scoring
  • You like the challenge of a less forgiving target

Play Soft Tip If:

  • You're in the US (more leagues available)
  • You want automatic scoring and stats
  • You practice alone a lot (board tracks everything)
  • You prefer faster-paced games
  • You want built-in game variations
  • You're playing casually with friends

Play Both If:

  • You want maximum flexibility
  • You compete in both formats
  • You like variety
  • You already have the equipment

My setup: Steel tip board at home (forces precision practice). Same barrels with swappable points. Play soft tip league (what's available locally).

Converting Between Formats

If you play steel and want to try soft:

  1. Buy soft tip conversion points for your darts (or lighter barrels if yours are >18g)
  2. Find a soft tip league or venue
  3. Practice a few sessions to adjust to distance/board feel
  4. Expect to score slightly better (larger target)

If you play soft and want to try steel:

  1. Buy steel tip points for your darts
  2. Get a steel tip board ($50-80)
  3. Practice dealing with bounce-outs (mental game)
  4. Adjust to heavier darts if you upgrade weight
  5. Expect lower scores initially (smaller target, wires)

Common Misconceptions

"Soft tip is for beginners, steel tip is for serious players"

False. Asia has incredibly high-level soft tip competition. The US has serious soft tip leagues. Different doesn't mean easier.

"You can't use the same darts for both"

Mostly false. Same barrels work fine. Just swap points. Only issue is if your steel tip darts are too heavy for soft tip league rules (>18g).

"Steel tip makes you a better player"

Partially true. Steel tip forces precision because of wires and smaller target. If you master steel, soft is easier. But soft tip still requires excellent mechanics and consistency to compete at high level.

"Soft tip boards break all the time"

Depends on quality. Cheap boards ($200-300) do have issues. Mid to high-end boards ($500+) are reliable for years.

The Bottom Line

Steel tip:

  • Traditional format
  • Smaller, less forgiving target
  • Manual scoring
  • Cheaper equipment
  • Dominant in UK/Europe
  • Better for serious competition training

Soft tip:

  • Modern format
  • Larger, more forgiving target
  • Automatic scoring and stats
  • More expensive boards
  • Dominant in US/Asia
  • Better for casual play and solo practice

Neither is "better." They're different games with different cultures.

Choose based on:

  1. What's available near you (leagues, players)
  2. Your budget (steel cheaper to start)
  3. Whether you want auto-scoring or traditional manual
  4. How serious you are (steel if training for international competition, either for fun/local leagues)

You can always play both. I do. Most serious players eventually try both formats.

Related Guides

Equipment for either format:

Technique guides (apply to both):