When setting up a set of darts, most players put all their focus into the barrel. Weight, grip and tungsten percentage tend to dominate the conversation, while the dart shaft is usually left unchanged.
That’s understandable, but it’s also a mistake. The shaft has a major influence on how a dart flies, how stable it feels in the air, and how consistently it lands in the board. In many cases, changing shaft length can make more difference than switching barrels.
In this guide, we’ll explain the different dart shaft shapes, lengths and materials, how they affect flight and balance, and how to work out which option suits your throw.
What Does a Dart Shaft Actually Do?
The dart shaft, also known as the stem, connects the barrel to the flight. It doesn’t add much weight, but it plays a crucial role in how the dart behaves once it leaves your hand.
Shaft length influences how quickly the dart travels, how much it arcs through the air, and where the balance point sits. This, in turn, affects how forgiving the dart feels and how it enters the board.
Because shafts are cheap and easy to change, they’re one of the simplest ways to fine-tune a setup without committing to a new set of darts.
Dart Shafts Are Very Individual
As with all dart components, shafts are highly personal. A shaft length that feels perfect to one player may feel completely wrong to another, even if they’re throwing the same weight barrel.
This is why there is no “best” dart shaft. Professionals regularly experiment with different stem lengths, sometimes making small changes depending on form, conditions, or confidence. The goal is always the same: a stable, repeatable flight that suits their natural throw.
What matters most is how the dart behaves for you.
Understanding Dart Shaft Lengths
Most dart shafts fall into three categories: short, medium and long. Each creates a noticeably different feel and flight.
Short Dart Shafts
Short shafts position the flight closer to the barrel, pushing the balance forward. This generally produces a faster, more direct flight with a flatter trajectory.
Players with a quick, positive throwing action often prefer short shafts because the dart reaches the board sooner and feels more aggressive. The shorter overall length can also help when grouping tightly, as there’s less dart protruding from the board.
The downside is that short shafts offer less forgiveness. Any inconsistency in release tends to show more clearly, which can make the dart feel unstable for players who haven’t fully settled their throw.
Medium Dart Shafts
Medium shafts are the most commonly used and are considered the standard option for most players. Almost every complete dart set is supplied with medium shafts for a reason.
They provide a balanced combination of speed and stability, resulting in a neutral, predictable flight. For beginners and experienced players alike, medium shafts are a safe choice that works well with the widest range of throwing styles.
Many players never feel the need to change from medium shafts at all, particularly if their darts land flat and group consistently.
Long Dart Shafts
Long shafts move the flight further back, shifting the balance towards the rear of the dart. This increases air resistance and typically produces a slower, more controlled flight with a higher arc.
They tend to suit players with a smooth, relaxed throw who value stability over speed. The added forgiveness can help reduce stray darts when timing isn’t perfect, making long shafts appealing to some developing players as well.
However, the increased length can make grouping more difficult, especially in busy areas of the board, and they may feel sluggish to players who prefer a direct, fast throw.
How Shaft Length Affects Dart Entry
A good indicator of whether your shaft length suits you is how your darts sit in the board.
Darts that consistently land tail-up may benefit from a longer shaft, while darts that land tail-down often respond well to a shorter one. Darts that land flat are usually well balanced already.
While flights also play a part, shaft length is often the easiest adjustment to make when trying to correct entry angle.
O-Rings and Shaft Security
A small but important detail often overlooked is the O-ring found on many dart shafts, particularly nylon and plastic ones.
O-rings are small rubber rings that sit in a groove near the thread of the shaft. Their purpose is to stop the shaft loosening during play.
Repeated impacts can gradually unscrew a shaft from the barrel, especially during longer sessions. An O-ring compresses slightly when the shaft is tightened, creating friction that helps keep everything securely in place.
Most shafts come with O-rings already fitted, but replacements are inexpensive and easy to add. Some players remove them to make component changes quicker, but for most players, keeping O-rings installed improves consistency and reduces interruptions.
Holding Flights Securely – Springs and Metal Rings
Another common issue players encounter is flights loosening or popping out of the shaft. To address this, many players use flight springs or metal retaining rings.
These sit around the top of the shaft and apply pressure to the flight once it’s inserted, holding it firmly in place.
- Flight springs are small metal coils that compress around the flight
- Metal rings are rigid bands that clamp the flight more tightly
Both options reduce flight movement and help prevent flights from falling out after impacts or deflections. Some modern shafts come with built-in retaining systems, but springs and rings remain a cheap and effective upgrade for most setups.
Straight vs Shaped Dart Shafts
Most dart shafts are straight, and this remains the most popular and reliable design. Straight shafts provide consistent airflow and predictable performance, making them suitable for almost any setup.
Some shafts feature shaping or tapering intended to improve stability or reduce flight pop-outs. While these designs can have a small effect, the difference is usually subtle. For most players, shaft length will always have a much bigger impact than shaft shape.
Shaft Materials and Specialist Options
While standard plastic and nylon shafts dominate the game, there are several alternative designs worth understanding.
Plastic and Nylon Shafts
These are the most common option. They’re lightweight, inexpensive, forgiving, and available in a wide range of lengths and colours. Their flexibility helps absorb impact, but they can snap over time.
Metal Dart Shafts
Metal shafts, typically made from aluminium or titanium, are valued for their strength and rigidity.
They don’t bend or snap like plastic shafts, making them popular with players who regularly break stems. They also provide a very solid feel in the hand, which some players prefer.
However, they can transfer more vibration on impact and often require springs or rings to hold flights securely. They’re slightly heavier too, which can subtly affect balance.
Spinning Dart Shafts
Spinning shafts allow the flight to rotate freely around the shaft. The idea is to reduce deflections and bounce-outs when darts group closely.
When an incoming dart hits a flight already in the board, the spinning mechanism allows the flight to move out of the way rather than forcing the dart away from the target.
Some players swear by spinning shafts, particularly those who group tightly. Others dislike the movement and prefer a more solid, predictable feel. As with most dart equipment, effectiveness comes down to personal preference.
Integrated Shaft and Flight Systems
Some modern setups combine the shaft and flight into a single moulded unit. These systems aim to improve durability and airflow consistency by removing weak connection points.
They’re convenient and robust, but they limit customisation. Players who enjoy experimenting with different shaft lengths and flight shapes may find them restrictive.
Should You Experiment With Dart Shafts?
Unlike barrels, experimenting with shafts carries very little risk. They’re inexpensive, quick to change, and can instantly alter how a dart feels in the hand and in the air.
Starting with medium shafts and then testing shorter or longer options is a sensible way to learn what suits your throw. In many cases, a simple shaft change can solve issues that players wrongly assume require a new set of darts.
Final Thoughts
Dart shafts may not get much attention, but they play a key role in balance, flight and consistency.
Short shafts favour speed and a direct throw, medium shafts offer balance and versatility, and long shafts provide stability and forgiveness. Details like O-rings, flight retainers and shaft material also contribute to how secure and consistent your setup feels.
If your darts don’t quite feel right, don’t rush to replace your barrels. A small adjustment to your shaft setup could be all it takes to bring everything together.
As with most things in darts, progress often comes from making small, sensible changes rather than big ones.