I may earn a small commission from purchases made through product links in this article at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This comparison guide shares all the different types of Nerf darts that have been produced over the years, including dimensions and characteristics.
Hasbro has produced a lot of Nerf guns and blasters in various shapes, sizes, and price categories over the years.
There have also been lots of different types of Nerf ammunition produced ever since the first Nerf gun came out, from simple foam darts to powerful ball-sized rounds.
In this Nerf darts comparison article, I am going to walk you through the various types of Nerf darts and explain their characteristics. This article will be continuously updated as new darts are released.
Nerf Darts Comparison Table:
| Dart | Year | Dimensions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharpshooter Dart | 1992 | 3.60″ x 0.60″ |
| 2 | Mega Dart | 1993 | 3.60″ x 0.60″ |
| 3 | Micro Dart | 1993 | 3.25″ x 0.5″ |
| 4 | Whistler Dart | 2003 | 3.1″ x 0.5″ |
| 5 | Sonic Micro Dart | 2003 | 3.1″ x 0.5″ |
| 6 | N-Strike Micro Dart | 2003 | 3.25″ x 0.5″ |
| 7 | Tagger Micro Dart | 2004 | 3.25″ x 0.5″ |
| 8 | Streamline Dart | 2006 | 2.8″ x 0.4″ |
| 9 | Tagger Micro Whistler Dart | 2011 | 3.25″ x 0.5″ |
| 10 | Elite Dart | 2012 | 2.75″ x 0.5″ |
| 11 | Collectible Dart | 2013 | 2.75″ x 0.5″ |
| 12 | Zombie Strike Dart | 2013 | 2.75″ x 0.5″ |
| 13 | N-Strike Mega Dart | 2013 | 3.65″ x 0.75″ |
| 14 | Suction Dart | 2014 | 2.8″ x 0.4″ |
| 15 | Doomlands Dart | 2015 | 2.75″ x 0.5″ |
| 16 | GlowStrike Dart | 2016 | 2.75″ x 0.5″ |
| 17 | AccuStrike Dart | 2017 | 2.75″ x 0.5″ |
| 18 | AccuStrike Mega Dart | 2018 | 3.65″ x 0.75″ |
| 19 | Ultra Dart | 2019 | 2.45″ x 0.6″ |
| 20 | Fortnite Dart | 2019 | 2.75″ x 0.5″ |
| 21 | Fortnite Mega Dart | 2019 | 3.65″ x 0.75″ |
| 22 | Elite 2.0 Dart | 2020 | 2.75″ x 0.5″ |
| 23 | Mega XL Dart | 2021 | 4.00″ x 1.50″ |
| 24 | AccuStrike Ultra Dart | 2021 | 2.45″ x 0.6″ |
| 25 | AccuStrike Half-Length Dart | 2023 | 1.38″ x 0.5″ |
| 26 | N1 Dart | 2024 | 2.45″ x 0.55″ |
What Is the Best Nerf Dart?
Let’s get the million-dollar question answered first:
What is the best Nerf dart?
The best Nerf dart ever made is the Nerf Accustrike dart. Further below, I am going to explain why, so please keep reading.
Do keep in mind though that the below list of darts only contains the real Nerf darts, the ones produced and sold by Hasbro.
There are other dart manufacturers out there, such as Adventure Force, and they sell pretty decent darts that are often cheaper, but for this list, I am sticking with Nerf darts.
With that in mind, let’s go through that list of Nerf darts in more detail.
List of Nerf Darts
The different types of darts are listed in chronological order, starting with the very first one ever made, the Sharpshooter Dart.
As mentioned, this list contains only darts, not other types of Nerf ammunition, such as rounds and arrows.
1. Sharpshooter Dart
Introduced in 1992, the Nerf Sharpshooter was the very first Nerf blaster that could fire darts rather than balls. Unsurprisingly, that first dart was called the Sharpshooter dart.
The darts came packaged with the blaster and weren’t sold separately. This meant that you had to look after your darts, or otherwise you had to buy a new Sharpshooter blaster.
| Sharpshooter Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 1992 |
| Length: | 3.6 inches / 9 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.6 inches / 1.6 cm |
2. Mega Dart
The dart proved to be a successful type of Nerf ammunition, which meant that Nerf continued producing new dart types. The next Nerf dart, released in 1993, was the Mega dart.
Also known as the Sucker dart, the Mega dart had a suction cup making it stick to windows and walls. The first-generation Mega darts had a bright red and black color scheme.
| Mega Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 1993 |
| Length: | 3.6 inches / 9 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.6 inches / 1.6 cm |
3. Micro Dart
The Micro dart was a bit shorter than the Mega dart and also had a suction cup. It turned out to be one of the most popular darts and had a longer shelf life than the Mega dart.
In 2003, ten years after its first release, the Micro Dart was succeeded by the N-Strike Micro Dart (see further below).
| Micro Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 1993 |
| Length: | 3.25 inches / 8.3 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
4. Whistler Dart
Released in 2003, the Whistler dart was essentially a Micro dart, but it had a small opening at the front, creating a whistle when fired.
| Whistler Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2003 |
| Length: | 3.1 inches / 8 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
5. Sonic Micro Dart
Released in the same year as the Whistler dart, the Sonic Micro dart was another version of the Micro dart that also had a small opening in the head, creating a whistle.
The Sonic Micro was known to be a bit more robust than the Whistler but also less accurate.
| Sonic Micro Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2003 |
| Length: | 3.1 inches / 8 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
6. N-Strike Micro Dart
As mentioned, the N-Strike Micro Dart was the successor to the popular Micro Dart, and was part of the N-Strike series of blasters, which was released in the same year.
The N-Strike Micro dart still had the suction cup.
| N-Strike Micro Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2003 |
| Length: | 3.25 inches / 8.3 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
7. Tagger Micro Dart
The Tagger Micro dart, or simply Tagger dart, was released in 2004 as part of the Dart Tag series.
They were named Tagger darts because they had a velcro head type, which meant that they would stick to vests and other types of clothing.
| Tagger Micro Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2004 |
| Length: | 3.25 inches / 8.3 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
8. Streamline Dart
Also known as Clip System darts, Streamline darts were introduced in 2006 under the popular N-Strike series of Nerf blasters.
More precisely, the Streamline Dart was introduced as the ammunition type for the Longshot CS-6, which was the first Nerf blaster to use a clip.
| Streamline Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2006 |
| Length: | 2.8 inches / 7.2 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.4 inches / 1.2 cm |
9. Tagger Micro Whistler Dart
Released in 2011, the Tagger Micro Whistler dart was a new version of the Tagger Micro dart.
This one also had a velcro head type but was modified such that it made a whistle when fired.
| Tagger Micro Whistler Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2011 |
| Length: | 3.25 inches / 8.3 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
10. Elite Dart
Perhaps the most revolutionary and most influential Nerf dart in history is the well-known Elite dart.
Released in 2012 under the brand new N-Strike Elite series, the Elite dart essentially made the Micro dart redundant. The Elite dart was a big step forward in regards to firing range and accuracy.
Check out my review of the N-Strike Elite Disruptor.
| Elite Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2012 |
| Length: | 2.75 inches / 7 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
11. Collectible Dart
Also known as Rebelle darts, Collectible darts were a type of Elite darts but with their own identifiable color schemes.
They were released as part of the Rebelle series of blasters that had a more feminine design.
| Collectible Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2013 |
| Length: | 2.75 inches / 7 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
12. Zombie Strike Dart
Another type of Elite dart is the Zombie Strike dart, which was first released in 2013 as part of the Zombie Strike series of Nerf blasters.
Zombie Strike darts have a green color, matching the theme of the Zombie Strike series.
| Zombie Strike Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2013 |
| Length: | 2.75 inches / 7 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
13. N-Strike Mega Dart
The N-Strike Maga dart, most commonly referred to as the Mega dart, was released in 2013 as part of the brand new N-Strike Mega series.
This was a noticeably bigger dart than what we were used to, designed to result in much-improved firing ranges. The Mega series proved to be quite successful, with a good amount of popular blasters.
Check out my list of best Nerf Mega blasters currently available.
| N-Strike Mega Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2013 |
| Length: | 3.65 inches / 9.3 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.75 inches / 1.9 cm |
14. Suction Dart
The suction cup made a comeback in 2014 with the release of the Suction dart under the N-Strike Elite series. The Suction dart is essentially an Elite dart but with a suction cup head type.
A significant improvement compared to the older suction cup dart is that with the Suction dart, the head is the same width as the body of the dart.
| Suction Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2014 |
| Length: | 2.8 inches / 7.2 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.4 inches / 1.2 cm |
15. Doomlands Dart
The Doomlands dart was another type of Elite dart, released in 2015 under the Doomlands 2169 series.
Blasters in that series are themed after a post-apocalyptic future set in the year 2169.
| Doomlands Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2015 |
| Length: | 2.75 inches / 7 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
16. GlowStrike Dart
As the name suggests, the GlowStrike dart can actually glow in the dark. They were released in 2016 as part of the GlowStrike series, a Star Wars-themed range of blasters.
The dart itself is similar to the Elite dart and has a white and green color scheme.
| GlowStrike Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2016 |
| Length: | 2.75 inches / 7 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
17. AccuStrike Dart
We’ve arrived at the best Nerf dart ever made! That’s right, the AccuStrike is, in my opinion at least, Nerf’s finest dart. It was released in 2017 under the revolutionary AccuStrike series, a range of blasters with improved accuracy.
AccuStrike darts have a unique spiraled tip that causes them to fly in a more horizontal direction. In addition, they also have a different weight distribution than Elite darts.
What’s great is that AccuStrike darts are backward compatible, which means that blasters using Elite darts can also fire AccuStrike darts. The negative? They are a bit expensive.
| AccuStrike Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2017 |
| Length: | 2.75 inches / 7 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
18. AccuStrike Mega Dart
Unsurprisingly, Nerf also produced a Mega version of the AccuStrike dart, the year after its first release. Surprisingly, the AccuStrike Mega dart doesn’t actually have that spiraled tip. Instead, it has a completely flat head.
Tests have proven that the AccuStrike Mega Dart is indeed much more accurate than the Mega Dart. The drawback, though, is that the firing range and velocity aren’t as good, probably because of that flat head type design.
| AccuStrike Mega Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2018 |
| Length: | 3.65 inches / 9.3 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.75 inches / 1.9 cm |
19. Ultra Dart
The Ultra Dart was another attempt by Hasbro to improve the performance of its blasters. This new dart type was released in 2019 under the new Ultra series, a range of blasters that haven’t yet seen the success that was initially anticipated.
Ultra darts have a more streamlined dart head with two tiny holes and two small fins at the bottom. They have a black and orange color scheme.
Check out my list of best Nerf Ultra blasters currently available.
| Ultra Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2019 |
| Length: | 2.45 inches / 6.2 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.6 inches / 1.5 cm |
20. Fortnite Dart
The Fortnite series was created in collaboration with Epic Games to help promote the online game Fortnite. Fortnite darts are basically Elite darts but with a recognizable blue and purple color scheme.
Check out my list of best Nerf Fortnite guns currently available.
| Fortnite Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2019 |
| Length: | 2.75 inches / 7 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
21. Fortnite Mega Dart
As the name suggests, the Fortnite Mega Dart is a Mega version of the Fortnite Dart, and has an orange and purple color scheme.
Blasters that use Mega darts can also use Fortnite Mega darts, and vice versa.
| Fortnite Mega Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2019 |
| Length: | 3.65 inches / 9.3 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.75 inches / 1.9 cm |
22. Elite 2.0 Dart
The Elite 2.0 dart is the successor to the Elite dart and was released in 2020 as part of the Elite 2.0 series of blasters.
They are available in two color schemes, one with a blue/teal body and orange head, and the other with an orange body and a blue/teal head.
Check out my list of best Nerf Elite 2.0 blasters currently available.
| Elite 2.0 Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2020 |
| Length: | 2.75 inches / 7 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.3 cm |
23. Mega XL Dart
The blue Mega XL dart is the latest dart, introduced in 2021 as part of the Mega XL series of blasters. It’s called Mega XL for a good reason because this is officially the biggest Nerf dart ever produced. It’s twice as thick as the N-Strike Mega dart and also slightly longer.
The dart is designed such that it makes a whistle as it flies through the air. The funny thing is that the regular Mega dart fits inside this new Mega XL dart since it’s hollow, and the hole is precisely the size of the Mega dart.
| Mega XL Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2021 |
| Length: | 4.00 inches / 10 cm |
| Diameter: | 1.5 inches / 3.8 cm |
24. AccuStrike Ultra Dart
The AccuStrike Ultra Dart was introduced in 2021 as a better-performing version of the 2019 Ultra Dart in regards to shooting accuracy.
If you look closely, you will see that the AccuStrike Ultra dart has a flat head, and the color scheme is also different.
| Accustrike Ultra Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2021 |
| Length: | 2.45 inches / 6.2 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.6 inches / 1.5 cm |
25. AccuStrike Half-Length Dart
Released in 2023 as part of the Nerf Pro series, the AccuStrike Half-Length Dart is quite literally a half-length version of the successful AccuStrike Dart.
This version was developed to further improve the distance, accuracy, and velocity of firing. It was designed exclusively for the Nerf Pro Stryfe X blaster.
| AccuStrike Half-Length Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2023 |
| Length: | 1.38 inches / 3.5 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.5 inches / 1.27 cm |
26. N1 Dart
The N1 Dart was released in 2024 as part of the new Nerf N Series. The dart is slightly wider than the Elite Dart but thinner than the Ultra Dart.
The dart also has a different shape, designed to offer improved accuracy, speed, and distance compared to the Elite and Ultra Darts.
Check out my review of the N Series Infinite.
| N1 Dart | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2024 |
| Length: | 2.45 inches / 6.2 cm |
| Diameter: | 0.55 inches / 1.4 cm |
Last updated: October 15, 2024
I have a carnival game where you shoot a nerf gun at the plastic target. The darts I have (#14 suction darts) don’t stick to the target, and if they do, they release almost immediately. Any suggestions of a dart that will stick better?
Hi Travis, try looking on Amazon for non-Nerf branded suction darts. Just make sure they’re compatible with the Nerf gun you have. Check the reviews for those darts and then make an informed decision.
A) Dart has to hit flat.
B) Clean the target before use, dust will stop it.
C) A small amount of water… Surface tension.
Thanks Topher, good advice.
Thank you, I knew that there was a dart that had holes in the tip, I thought it turned for some reason.
Two things:
– The Sharpshooter Darts were in fact sold separately, albeit briefly.
– First generation Mega darts had yellow bodies and red heads. Red and black didn’t come out until the late 90s.
Slendoo-Man, thanks!
I think you’re right about the Sharpshooter Darts. It seems they were indeed sold separately as a refill pack later on.
Not sure about the color scheme of the first Mega Darts. I thought they were red and black, but perhaps you’re right, and they were in fact yellow and red.
Good day,
I was searching the Internet as I have been given a rather large bundle of Nerf guns. The darts I own mean I can use all the guns apart from one; the Nerf fortnight shotgun. Do you know what size darts this uses?
Many thanks,
Alan.
Hi Alan,
Are you referring to the Fortnite Pump SG? That one needs Fortnite Mega Darts.
Hope that helps!
Help! I just got my son an Airtech 3000 at a thrift store and none of our darts work. What do we need?
Hi Allison,
Try finding Micro darts, N-Strike Micro darts, Tagger Micro darts, or Tagger Micro Whistler darts. These are all 3.25″ x 0.5″ and should work with the Airtech 3000. Perhaps Ebay might have these available.
Is there any dart compatible with the original Mega Dart? It appears that size-wise, the Ultra Dart might work, although shorter. Trying to find ammunition that will work in a Nerf Cyber Stryke.
Hi Tom,
Yes, you could try the Ultra dart, it has the same diameter. As you said though, it is shorter, but it’s still worth trying.
And how awesome that you have a Cyber Stryke blaster!
Simple modding and yes Ultra works.
Hey, can you add an overview of the rival and hyper darts to this list. I’ve read your article about the rival vs hyper guns. I’m still unsure on which one I will purchase.
Hey Will, good idea, but this article is only about Nerf darts. I might write a new article about non-dart ammunition, which would include the Rival and Hyper ammo.
Number 3 the “micro” dart, isn’t a Nerf dart. It’s a Buzz Bee toys dart, they’re still good, but they’re slightly shorter, so you can’t fire them out of every gun, not without modding the gun (ar/peg removal).
I think number 19 is not a Nerf dart either, and also won’t fire if you still have pegs in your gun. Don’t mean to be nit-picky, just trying to help!
Hi Nate, the Micro dart at number 3 is the 1993 version from Hasbro, not the 2003 Micro dart from Buzz Bee. They’re very similar though.
In regards to number 19, the Ultra dart, is definitely a Nerf dart, but maybe you were referring to number 9? To my knowledge, that is also a Nerf dart.
Nice! I stand corrected! Very similar, indeed. And I just saw some of those solid foam darts, in a nerf package, I was completely wrong! Sorry about that, thought I was helping.
Hi Nate, no need to be sorry at all! I love it when people comment on the blog.
Wrong on both accounts. If you have a blaster made at the same design to fire that dart type. Buzzbee used a similar dart and color at some point as 3. The darts 19 and 24 are only useable in Ultra blasters and some simple modded old school Mega blasters, plus the sharpshooter.