What Darts Do the Pros Use? PDC Tour Barrel Guide

Walk into any darts shop and you’ll see entire walls dedicated to signature darts bearing the names of the sport’s biggest stars. Every manufacturer wants their name on the dart grouping treble 20s at Alexandra Palace or the Utilita Arena. But which barrels do the professionals actually throw — and what do their choices tell us about how to pick the right dart?

This guide covers the barrel only. Flights, stems, and points are a conversation for another day. Here, we’re going deep on the barrel itself: the weight, material, shape, and grip that defines a dart’s character. Whether you want to throw exactly what your favourite player throws or simply use the professionals as a starting point for your own setup, this is the guide to have open.

Specifications are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing (February 2026). Manufacturers regularly update signature ranges, so always verify current specs at retail before buying.

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What Every Pro Barrel Has in Common

Before getting into specific players, it’s worth understanding what separates professional-grade barrels from everything else — because almost every PDC professional agrees on a few fundamentals.

Tungsten: No Exceptions

Every serious professional player uses tungsten darts. Not brass, not nickel-silver — tungsten. The reason is density. Tungsten is one of the heaviest metals used in manufacturing, which allows barrel makers to pack significant weight into a very slim profile.

A 23g tungsten barrel at 90% purity typically sits around 6.5mm in diameter. The same weight in brass would need to be roughly twice as wide. On a board where the treble 20 bed is just 8mm across, that difference is the difference between three darts landing in the segment and the third clipping a wire.

The vast majority of professional-grade barrels use 90% tungsten. Some premium ranges push to 95%, which produces a marginally slimmer barrel for the same weight — but 90% is the tour standard, and the jump from brass to 90% tungsten is transformative in a way that the additional 5% never matches.

Weight: A Narrower Range Than You’d Think

The PDC tour appears diverse, but barrel weights actually cluster in a surprisingly tight band. The overwhelming majority of professionals throw between 21g and 24g, with 23g the most common individual choice.

Very light darts (under 20g) and very heavy darts (above 26g) do exist on tour, but they’re genuine outliers. The physics are straightforward: a dart needs enough mass to maintain a stable flight path when thrown with pace, but not so much that it demands significant effort. For most human throwing mechanics, 21-24g hits that sweet spot.

Shape and Grip: Where Individual Preferences Emerge

This is where real variety appears. Some professionals prefer a clean straight barrel with minimal texture; others want aggressive knurling that bites hard into their fingertips. Some favour a torpedo shape that naturally guides the fingers to a defined grip point; others want a uniform profile that offers complete flexibility.

These choices reflect individual throwing mechanics — and they’re worth examining in detail for each player.

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The Tour’s Big Names and Their Barrels

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Luke Littler – Target Luke Littler G1

There’s no more talked-about dart in the world right now. Luke Littler became the youngest PDC World Champion at 17 and retained that title a year later, both times with the same barrel in his hand: the Target Luke Littler G1.

Target has been working with Littler since he was 12 years old, and the G1 is the result of years of collaboration between player and manufacturer. His match configuration is 23g, though the retail range also comes in 22g and 24g.

The barrel is crafted from 90% tungsten and measures 52mm in length with a 6.5mm diameter at match weight — a slim, precise profile that allows for tight groupings in the treble bed. The shape is straight: uniform from front to back, with no taper, no torpedo bulge, just a clean cylinder.

What makes the G1 distinctive is Target’s dual pixel grip technology. The front and centre of the barrel feature precision-milled pixel cuts — tiny raised sections produced through an advanced machining process — that provide serious purchase for the fingers. The rear section transitions to fine radial grooves for a subtler feel. This dual-zone approach suits front and middle grippers particularly well, which covers the vast majority of players on tour and off it.

The barrel also carries a black PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) coating, giving it a distinctive look and adding a layer of protection over the tungsten beneath. It’s a premium finish that also reduces reflective glare under bright stage lighting — a small but practical benefit when you’re playing in front of thousands of people.

The G1 also features Target’s Swiss Point system, which allows the tip to be replaced in seconds. While points aren’t technically part of this guide, the Swiss Point mechanism is integrated into the barrel construction itself — worth knowing when comparing options.

View Target Luke Littler G1 on Amazon

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Luke Humphries – Red Dragon Luke Humphries TX1

Where Littler is all pace and pixel grip, Luke Humphries takes a different approach entirely. Cool Hand Luke earned his nickname from his composure under pressure, and that philosophy extends to his equipment: a barrel that disappears in the hand and lets the throw do all the work.

Humphries throws the Red Dragon Luke Humphries TX1 in competition at 22g. This is important to flag: the TX1 is his actual match barrel, while the TX3 and TX5 — which share the same design philosophy and Cool Blue branding — are the newer retail signature products. All sit within the same series and reflect the same aesthetic, but if you’re after the exact competition barrel, the TX1 is the one.

The TX series is built around a front-weighted torpedo profile — slightly fuller in the body, tapering toward the point — which naturally encourages the fingers to settle toward the front of the dart and promotes a smooth, clean release. The grip is intentionally subtle; Red Dragon rates their TX range at a modest 2 out of 5 for grip intensity. This is a deliberate design choice to match Humphries’ relaxed, fluid throw. Players who prefer a grippy, textured barrel that bites hard will find the TX too smooth — but for those who throw with a light touch and a consistent grip, the subtle texture is exactly right.

All TX barrels are 90% tungsten, giving the slim profile needed for tight grouping at 22g.

View Red Dragon Luke Humphries TX1 on Amazon

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Michael van Gerwen – Winmau MvG EvoX / MvG ExAct

Michael van Gerwen is, by almost any metric, the greatest darts player in history. Three PDC World Championship titles, a record match average of 123.40, more nine-darters than anyone can count. And he’s done almost all of it with Winmau barrels.

His most recent confirmed competition barrel is the Winmau MvG EvoX, used through late 2024 including his run at the 2025 World Championship. Winmau subsequently released the MvG ExAct in 2025 — described as the most extensively developed dart in the MvG/Winmau partnership, built over 12+ months — which is likely his current barrel for the 2025-26 season.

Both the EvoX and ExAct are 90% tungsten with the aggressive grip pattern that has become synonymous with van Gerwen’s setup. His match weight is a notably precise 21.5g — lighter than many people assume, and one of the tighter weight specifications on tour. The grip features a pronounced radial ring cut pattern that provides real purchase for a front-of-barrel grip, matching the decisive, clinical throw that has made him so dominant.

The shape on both models is straight, allowing for the precise, repeatable release that defines MvG’s technique. Watch him throw and you’ll see a dart that leaves his fingers in the same position time after time — that consistency is partly technique, but the straight barrel profile makes it easier to achieve.

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Dimitri Van den Bergh – Target Dimitri Van den Bergh G2

Dimitri Van den Bergh, the Dancing Darts Player, won the 2020 World Matchplay with a dart that has found its way into the retail market as the Target Dimitri Van den Bergh Dream Maker G2 — his established competition specification, faithfully reproduced.

The G2 is a 90% tungsten barrel measuring 48.9mm in length with a 6.4mm diameter at 23g. Where Littler’s G1 is dead straight, the Dream Maker G2 features a subtle nose taper — the barrel very slightly narrows toward the point, encouraging a consistent exit from the fingers and helping the dart fly true. It’s a gentle profile change rather than a pronounced torpedo, but the effect is real.

The grip system is multi-zone and thoughtfully designed. Target has combined radial grooves running through the rear and centre of the barrel with nano grooves at the front — distinct grip zones that work differently depending on where your fingers land. If you grip toward the back of the dart, the deeper radial grooves offer solid purchase. Move forward and the nano texture provides a more subtle feel. It’s a versatile approach that suits a range of holding positions without being aggressive at any one of them.

Swiss Point technology is integrated into the barrel construction, matching Target’s standard across their premium range.

Target also released the newer Dimitri Van den Bergh 95K in 2025 — 95% tungsten with a straighter profile — which may represent his current competition setup. The G2 remains his most established barrel; the 95K is the more recent development.

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Gian van Veen – Red Dragon Gian van Veen Tour Edition

Gian van Veen — “The Giant” — is one of the most exciting players to emerge on the PDC tour in years. At 6ft 4in, he’s impossible to miss on stage, and his results have been just as hard to ignore: 2025 European Championship winner (the youngest in PDC history), 2026 World Championship finalist, and currently ranked world number three.

The barrel he throws on his way to those results is the Red Dragon Gian van Veen Tour Edition, a 22g, 90% tungsten barrel that is available exclusively in that weight — because it’s the exact match specification, not a scaled consumer product.

Where Humphries’ TX series sits at a deliberate 2 out of 5 for grip intensity, van Veen’s Tour Edition sits at the opposite end of the spectrum. The barrel features full-length dynamic machining with an aggressive ring grip toward the front and centre — rated 4 to 5 out of 5 for grip intensity. It’s built for a player who wants maximum purchase throughout the throw, and it suits a confident, assertive delivery that has already produced nine-darters at professional level and a World Championship final appearance.

The barrel profile is parallel (effectively straight), measuring 48.3mm in length and 6.5mm in diameter — putting it in similar dimensional territory to the Littler G1 at the same width. The aggressive grip pattern is the real differentiator, offering a very different feel despite the comparable geometry.

At 22g, van Veen sits at the lighter end of the tour’s top players — but the aggressive grip and confident technique suggest a player who generates plenty of pace without needing the extra mass.

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Gary Anderson – Unicorn Gary Anderson World Champion Phase 6

The Flying Scotsman has been throwing Unicorn darts for as long as most fans can remember, and his partnership with the Staffordshire manufacturer has produced the Phase range — updated through successive generations as Anderson has refined his preferences at the highest level.

His current barrel is the Unicorn Gary Anderson World Champion Phase 6 — the most recent generation of a range that has evolved alongside Anderson’s career. He throws at 23g, a weight that suits his relaxed, smooth technique. Anderson reached the semi-finals of the 2026 World Championship, where he was beaten by Gian van Veen — and did so throwing the Phase 6 throughout.

The Phase range is characterised by a clean barrel profile with a grip pattern designed to feel comfortable across extended playing sessions. Anderson is one of the more technically assured throwers on tour, and his darts reflect a preference for consistency over aggression — a barrel that rewards a disciplined, repeatable throw rather than demanding it.

The Phase 6 is available in 21g, 23g, and 25g retail weights. At 23g, it delivers the confident, neutral feel that has defined the Phase range across every generation.

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Gerwyn Price – Red Dragon Gerwyn Price Blue Originals

Gerwyn Price — the Iceman — is a Red Dragon Darts player, and has been for his entire PDC career. His competition barrel is the Red Dragon Gerwyn Price Blue Originals (also known as the Gerwyn Price Originals or ICEMAN set), which he has used consistently since establishing himself on the tour.

Price throws at 23g — a touch heavier than some might expect for a player known for a forceful, direct delivery. The Blue Originals feature a modified Razor Edge groove pattern — a precise, assertive grip that gives Price clear, deliberate contact with the barrel on every throw. It’s built for a player who wants to feel the dart in his hand throughout the throw, not one who prefers a clean, minimal texture.

One notable detail: in competition, Price uses aluminium shafts, one of the very few professionals to do so. Retail sets come with standard nylon Nitro stems. The barrel itself is identical to the retail product; it’s the stem choice that marks the difference.

Red Dragon has released newer Price signature products over the years — including the Avalanche, Firebird, and Midnight Edition — but the Blue Originals remain his established competition barrel.

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Rob Cross – Target Rob Cross G1

Rob Cross threw a dart into the board at Alexandra Palace in 2018 as a virtual unknown and walked out as PDC World Champion. That victory — as remarkable as any in the sport’s history — was achieved with Target Darts in hand, and he has remained with the manufacturer since.

His established competition barrel is the Target Rob Cross G1 (Generation 1), thrown at a notably precise 21.5g. That figure comes from a specific detail in his match setup: the retail G1 barrels are 21g, but Cross uses longer 30mm points in competition, which bring the total weight to 21.5g. It’s the kind of fine-tuning that separates professional darts from casual play.

The G1 features a straight barrel profile in 90% tungsten, suited to Cross’s precise, controlled technique. He is nicknamed Voltage — and like the name suggests, his results come from accuracy and precision rather than any flashy setup. The dart stays out of the way and lets the throw do the work.

Target released the Rob Cross 95K in 2024/2025 — a 95% tungsten option available in 21g, 22g, and 23g — which may represent his current competition barrel. The G1 remains his most historically consistent choice.

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What the Tour Tells Us

Step back from the individual players and some clear patterns emerge across the PDC tour.

Straight barrels dominate

Torpedo and bomb profiles exist at professional level — Humphries’ TX series being the most prominent current example — but straight barrels are the overwhelming majority on tour. A straight barrel allows any grip position without the shape forcing your fingers somewhere specific, and at professional level, players have usually developed such a defined, repeatable grip that they don’t need the barrel to guide them.

If you’re still developing your game, a torpedo can be helpful — it provides a natural landing point for the fingers. Once your grip is locked in, a straight barrel gives you the freedom to own that position without negotiation.

90% tungsten is the professional standard

The vast majority of tour players use 90% tungsten. Some players push to 95% for marginally slimmer barrels, but 90% is firmly the professional floor. The jump from brass to 90% tungsten is transformative; the jump from 90% to 95% is a refinement most club and pub players will never notice in their scores.

Grip preferences are genuinely diverse

This is where the tour offers its most interesting insight. Littler’s aggressive dual pixel grip sits alongside Humphries’ deliberately subtle 2/5 intensity rating — two players at the very peak of the sport who want completely opposite things from their barrel texture. Price uses an assertive groove pattern; Anderson prefers something lighter and more comfortable.

Grip preference is the most personal element of barrel selection. Your grip style (front, middle, or rear; tight or loose), throwing speed, and release technique all affect how much texture you need. The tour demonstrates there’s no correct answer — there’s only what works for you.

Weight sits lower than most people expect

Survey the players in this guide and the average sits around 22g — lighter than the 23-24g range that beginners are often told to start with. The professional trend has moved toward lighter darts over the past decade, as the technique improvements that come with thousands of hours of practice mean players no longer need the mass to maintain stability.

This doesn’t mean beginners should immediately throw 21.5g. Developing players often benefit from slightly heavier darts as they build muscle memory. But the pattern is worth knowing: elite players aren’t always throwing heavy.

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Finding Your Pro-Inspired Setup

The most common mistake players make when using professional setups as inspiration is copying their favourite player’s barrel wholesale without considering whether it suits their own game.

Van Gerwen’s aggressive grip suits van Gerwen’s precise, front-of-barrel throw. Humphries’ subtle grip suits Humphries’ smooth, relaxed delivery. These aren’t interchangeable — and what works for a player with ten thousand hours of practice behind them may actively interfere with a developing technique.

The smarter approach is to extract the principles rather than the specifics:

• Weight: Find a starting point in the 22-24g range, then adjust based on what feels natural after a few sessions. Most players don’t stray far from their initial choice once they’ve found it. Only consider dropping below 22g once your technique is solid.
• Shape: If you’re unsure of your preferred grip position, try a torpedo first — it’ll help you find where your fingers naturally land. If you already grip in a specific spot, a straight barrel gives you the freedom to own that position.
• Grip: Think about your release. If the dart tends to cling to your fingers, you may need less grip texture. If it slips, you need more. The tour proves both extremes can work — but neither works for everyone.
• Tungsten: Don’t overthink the percentage. Any 90%+ tungsten barrel is firmly in professional territory. The percentage matters far less than finding the right shape and weight for your throw.

The professionals have spent years arriving at their perfect setup. Treat their choices as a map of the possibilities, not a shortcut to skip the journey of finding what works for your own hand.

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Related Guides

• What Darts Does Luke Littler Use? — Complete setup guide including flights, stems, and points
• Dart Barrel Shapes Explained — Understanding straight, torpedo, bomb, and scallop profiles
• What Weight Darts Should I Use? — How to find the right weight for your throwing style
• Brass vs Tungsten Darts — Why tungsten matters and when brass is worth considering
• Best Darts for Beginners 2026 — Top picks if you’re just starting out
• How to Throw Darts — Mastering the technique that makes any barrel perform