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 stem is usually left unchanged.
That’s understandable, but it’s also a mistake. The stem 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 stem length can make more difference than switching barrels.
In this guide, we’ll explain the different dart stem shapes, lengths and materials, how they affect flight and balance, and how to work out which option suits your throw.
What Does a Dart Stem Actually Do?
The dart 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.
Stem 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 stems 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 Stems Are Very Individual
As with all dart components, stems are highly personal. A stem 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 stem. 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 Stem Lengths
Most dart stems fall into three categories: short, medium and long. Each creates a noticeably different feel and flight.
Short Dart Stems
Short stems 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 stems 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 stems 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 Stems
Medium stems are the most commonly used and are considered the standard option for most players. Almost every complete dart set is supplied with medium stems 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 stems are a safe choice that works well with the widest range of throwing styles.
Many players never feel the need to change from medium stems at all, particularly if their darts land flat and group consistently.
Long Dart Stems
Long stems 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 stems 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 Stem Length Affects Dart Entry
A good indicator of whether your stem length suits you is how your darts sit in the board.
Darts that consistently land tail-up may benefit from a longer stem, 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, stem length is often the easiest adjustment to make when trying to correct entry angle.
O-Rings and Stem Security
A small but important detail often overlooked is the O-ring found on many dart stems, particularly nylon and plastic ones.
O-rings are small rubber rings that sit in a groove near the thread of the stem. Their purpose is to stop the stem loosening during play.
Repeated impacts can gradually unscrew a stem from the barrel, especially during longer sessions. An O-ring compresses slightly when the stem is tightened, creating friction that helps keep everything securely in place.
Most stems 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 stem. To address this, many players use flight springs or metal retaining rings.
These sit around the top of the stem 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 stems come with built-in retaining systems, but springs and rings remain a cheap and effective upgrade for most setups.
Straight vs Shaped Dart Stems
Most dart stems are straight, and this remains the most popular and reliable design. Straight stems provide consistent airflow and predictable performance, making them suitable for almost any setup.
Some stems 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, stem length will always have a much bigger impact than stem shape.
Stem Materials and Specialist Options
While standard plastic and nylon stems dominate the game, there are several alternative designs worth understanding.
Plastic and Nylon Stems
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 Stems
Metal stems, typically made from aluminium or titanium, are valued for their strength and rigidity.
They don’t bend or snap like plastic stems, 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 Stems
Spinning stems allow the flight to rotate freely around the stem. 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 stems, 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 Stem and Flight Systems
Some modern setups combine the stem 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 stem lengths and flight shapes may find them restrictive.
Should You Experiment With Dart Stems?
Unlike barrels, experimenting with stems 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 stems and then testing shorter or longer options is a sensible way to learn what suits your throw. In many cases, a simple stem change can solve issues that players wrongly assume require a new set of darts.
Final Thoughts
Dart stems may not get much attention, but they play a key role in balance, flight and consistency.
Short stems favour speed and a direct throw, medium stems offer balance and versatility, and long stems provide stability and forgiveness. Details like O-rings, flight retainers and stem 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 stem 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.
Related Guides
Complete your dart setup knowledge with these companion guides:
- Dart Barrel Shapes Explained – Finding the right profile for your grip style
- Dart Flight Types Explained – Choosing the right flight for your throw
- Brass vs Tungsten Darts – Understanding material differences and why tungsten is preferred
Once you’ve optimised your setup, test it with our practice games: Bob’s 27 for doubles accuracy or Checkout Practice to work on your finishing.