Soft tip darts are darts with flexible plastic points built for electronic dartboards with molded holes.
The plastic tip bends on impact instead of sticking into bristle fibers the way steel tips do. Electronic boards hold those plastic points in small holes and usually score your throws automatically. If you’re new to the game or shopping for gear, the difference matters more than you’d think — the dart itself is only half the story, and the board has to match.
How Soft Tip Darts Work
Soft tip darts rely on a simple trade-off. The flexible plastic point absorbs the shock of hitting the board, which protects the electronic scoring segments underneath. The board’s surface has a grid of molded holes that grip the tip firmly enough to hold the dart in place, but loosely enough that you can pull it out after each throw.
Because the board does the scoring, you don’t have to walk up and read your darts after every turn. That’s the main reason soft-tip play dominates bar leagues and electronic tournaments — the pace stays quick, and the math happens automatically.
What Soft Tip Darts Are Made Of
Most current soft-tip darts pair that plastic point with a tungsten-alloy barrel. Tungsten is dense, so manufacturers can make a slimmer barrel that weighs the same as a thicker brass one — and a slimmer barrel means your darts group tighter on the board. Winmau’s current soft-tip lineup shows the range: the Callisto 01 uses 90% tungsten, the Valhalla steps up to a 95%/85% Dual Core tungsten blend, and the Foxfire Urban sits at 80% tungsten.
Soft tip darts use replaceable plastic tips.
The threading matters more than most beginners realize. Winmau’s product pages consistently specify 2BA threads on their soft-tip models, which means replacement tips, shafts, and accessories must match that standard or they won’t fit. One current product manual notes the tips “can be removed and replaced” — but only if you buy the right thread type for your specific dart.
Soft Tip vs. Steel Tip: The Board Question
The single biggest mistake new players make is assuming any dart works on any board. Soft tip darts are designed for electronic soft-tip boards with molded holes. A bristle board, the traditional sisal-fiber surface used for steel-tip darts, has no holes to hold a plastic point — the dart will bounce or fall straight out.
Steel-tip darts, by contrast, will damage an electronic board by puncturing the scoring segments. The two games are compatible in scoring rules, but the equipment is not interchangeable. Match the dart to the board, or you’re wasting money on both.
Where Soft Tip Darts Get Played
Soft-tip play has a serious competitive structure in the US. These events are labeled “Electronic Soft-Tip,” confirming the format’s official status.
For US competition, the standard horizontal throwing distance is 8 feet, measured from the front of the board to the throw line. The bullseye height stays at 5 feet 8 inches from the floor — the same height used in steel-tip play.
Current Soft Tip Dart Models Worth Knowing
| Model | Barrel Specs | Grip Style |
|---|---|---|
| Winmau Callisto 01 | 90% tungsten, 2BA, 6.4 mm x 48.26 mm, center-weighted | Astro Grip |
| Winmau Daryl Gurney SC 1.0 | 90% tungsten, 2BA, 6.35 mm x 54.6 mm, center-weighted | Dual grooves |
| Winmau Valhalla | 95%/85% Dual Core tungsten, 2BA, 6.1 mm x 50.8 mm, front-weighted | Milled grip |
| Winmau Foxfire Urban | 80% tungsten, 2BA, 6.35 mm x 50.8 mm, center-weighted | Square grooves |
| Winmau Diablo 1 | 90% tungsten, 2BA, 7.4 mm x 43.2 mm, center-weighted | Square grooves |
Barrel shape changes how the dart flies. A parallel barrel keeps the weight evenly distributed for a straight, predictable throw — good for beginners. A torpedo shape, like the Diablo 1, puts more mass toward the front and shifts the balance point forward. Front-weighted barrels like the Valhalla help players who like a nose-heavy feel. The grip pattern matters too: Winmau’s Callisto 01 page details its Astro Grip texture, while other models use grooves or milled ridges for finger placement consistency.
Soft Tip Dart Maintenance
Plastic tips wear down and break. A bent or chipped tip won’t seat properly in the board holes and will start bouncing out, so inspect your points before every session. Swapping in fresh replacements takes seconds and costs far less than a new set of darts. Tips are consumables, not permanent parts.
While the plastic tip reduces hard-point impact, soft tip darts still need careful handling. They’re sharp enough to hurt if thrown carelessly, and worn tips can crack and leave fragments. Store them in a proper case and replace damaged points before they cause trouble.
If you’re comparing your first set, a solid rule of thumb: pick a lighter dart (18g–20g) if you want a faster throw, or a heavier one (22g–24g) for more stability in your delivery. Winmau’s Gurney model at 22g sits in that steadier middle range. For the full rundown on which sets earn their keep, the top-rated soft tip dart sets we’ve tested are a good place to start.
References & Sources
- Winmau. “Callisto 01 Soft Tip.” Details 90% tungsten barrel, 2BA thread, parallel shape, and Astro Grip.
- Winmau. “Daryl Gurney SC 1.0 Series Soft Tip 22g.” Specifies 90% tungsten, dual grooves, and 2BA threading.
- Winmau. “Valhalla Softip Darts.” Shows 95%/85% Dual Core tungsten and front-weighted barrel design.