Dart Points Explained: Swiss Point, Turbo Point, Switch Point and Fixed

Short answer: Swiss Point (Target), Turbo Point (Shot) and Switch Point (Winmau) are screw-in point systems: you swap points in seconds with a small tool. Fixed points are pressed into the barrel and need a repointing tool. Each maker only guarantees its own points in its own barrels.

By Andy Gibson · Updated 19 October 2026

What is the difference between Swiss Point and Turbo Point?

Both are interchangeable steel tip point systems. The point has a threaded end, the barrel has a matching thread inside its nose, and a small tool screws the point in or out. The difference is who makes them and which barrels they are designed for: Swiss Points are Target's patented system for Target SP barrels, and Turbo Points are Shot's system for Shot barrels with a threaded front end. Winmau's Switch Point and Harrows' Quick Point work the same way. A fixed point has no thread at all: it is pressed into the barrel, and changing it takes a repointing tool.

Sources: Target, Shot, Winmau, Red Dragon, Harrows and Mission product pages.

How do Target Swiss Points work?

Target describes Swiss Point as a patented interchangeable point system: you change the point length, style or colour in seconds with a pocket-sized Swiss Point tool, without specialist equipment. The point uses taper and thread technology and a locking system to stay tight in play, and each point has a precision-engineered groove that the tool uses for quick changes.

Target states that Swiss Points are exclusively compatible with Target SP barrels, so they are made for darts with "SP" or "Swiss Point" in the name. Many SP sets come with a tool; if yours didn't, or you want one for your keyring, the Swiss Key does the same job. Target makes Swiss Points in a range of styles, from the plain Swiss Point to Firepoint, Storm, Nano and Diamond Pro grips, in 26, 30 and 40 mm on the standard Swiss Point and other lengths on some styles.

How do Shot Turbo Points work?

Shot describes Turbo Points as threaded, screw-in steel tip points designed to be removed and replaced quickly, to change point length, style and finish. Shot says they use a standard threaded point connection and are fully compatible with all Shot barrels that have a threaded front end. They may also fit other brands' barrels that take standard threaded points, but Shot only guarantees its own barrels and asks players to check with it if unsure.

Shot also makes a Thread Head Point Adaptor. It is pushed into a compatible fixed-point Shot barrel with a standard repointing tool and converts that barrel to take Turbo Points. Shot guarantees the adaptor in compatible Shot barrels only; in other brands' barrels, fit can vary.

The Michael Smith Series II is a Shot dart with the Turbo point system fitted as standard. In our range, the Plain Turbo Points come in 30 and 40 mm and the Kapene Gold Ti Turbo Points in 30, 35 and 40 mm.

What are Winmau Switch Points?

Switch Point is Winmau's screw-in point system. Winmau says its Switch Points use a precision-threaded design, are made from hardened, high-carbon steel and then plated, and come in 26, 30 and 40 mm. The cone-shaped profile is designed to give a smooth transition from barrel to point, which Winmau says helps reduce deflections. There are three grips: smooth, grooved (a CNC-milled linear pattern) and wave (a CNC-milled scallop).

Red Dragon darts with "Switch Point" in the name use the same system. Red Dragon's own product pages describe its Sable, Amp and Gian van Veen darts as "powered by Winmau's universally compatible Switch Point technology", and the Sable sets ship with a Switch Point tool. So Winmau Switch Points are the replacement points for those Red Dragon darts too.

What about Harrows Quick Points?

Harrows' Quick Point barrels have a built-in internal thread and, in Harrows' words, exclusively accept its threaded Quick Points. Harrows says every set in its Quick Point range comes with a Quick Point tool, and the replacement points come in 30, 35 and 40 mm, in silver or black. The Harrows Geo 01 is one Quick Point dart in our range.

What are fixed dart points?

Most standard steel tip darts have fixed points: a plain steel point pressed tightly into the nose of the barrel. They don't come out by hand. Harrows notes that most steel tip points can be changed but usually need a heavy mechanical repointing tool, which is the effort its Quick Point barrels avoid. A hand-held repointer clamps the dart, draws the old point out and presses the new one in; Mission describes its R-Point Expert as a tool for repointing any steel tip dart.

Fixed points are sold as spares, usually in sets of three, in a wider spread of lengths than the screw-in systems. Mission's Glide points run from 30 to 40 mm in 2 mm steps, and Harrows' Black Steeltip points from 32 to 44 mm. Repointing is worth doing when a point works loose or gets damaged, or when you want a different length or grip on a barrel you like.

See every repointer in repointing tools.

Are dart points interchangeable between brands?

Only partly, and the makers don't agree. Here is what each one says:

• Target: Swiss Points are exclusively compatible with Target SP barrels.
• Harrows: Quick Point barrels exclusively accept Harrows Quick Points.
• Shot: Turbo Points fit all Shot barrels with a threaded front end, and may fit other brands' barrels that take standard threaded points.
• Winmau and Red Dragon: Switch Point darts are "universally compatible with all M2.5 thread systems, including Target Swiss Point, Harrows Quick Points and Caliburn Evo EZ Points".

In practice: the points that are guaranteed to fit your dart are the ones from the same maker and system. Winmau's cross-brand claim is Winmau's own; Target and Harrows only guarantee their points in their own barrels. A fixed-point barrel takes no screw-in points at all, except a compatible Shot barrel fitted with Shot's adaptor. If you're not sure which system your darts use, check the product name ("SP", "Turbo Point", "Switch Point", "Quick Point") or ask us before you order.

Which point length should you use?

Target says shorter points give added stability, while longer points can help grouping and reduce deflections. Changing length also moves a little weight forward or back on the dart. With a screw-in system, try two lengths on the same barrel and keep the one that lands best; with fixed points, measure each point after repointing so all three darts match.

Which point system should you choose?

• You want to try different lengths and grips: pick a dart with a screw-in system and buy spare points from the same system.
• You already own Target SP darts: stay with Target Swiss Points.
• You throw Winmau or Red Dragon Switch Point darts: use Winmau Switch Points.
• You throw Shot Turbo Point darts: use Shot Turbo Points.
• You have fixed-point darts: keep a set of spare points and a repointing tool, or have them repointed.

Browse all dart points to compare systems, or the Target, Shot and Winmau dart ranges to find a barrel with the system you want.

Frequently asked questions

Are Swiss Points and Turbo Points the same?

No. Both screw in, but Swiss Points are Target's system for Target SP barrels and Turbo Points are Shot's system for Shot threaded barrels. Each maker only guarantees its own points in its own barrels.

Can you put Swiss Points in any dart?

No. Target states Swiss Points are exclusively compatible with Target SP barrels. They don't fit fixed-point darts.

Do Winmau Switch Points fit Red Dragon darts?

Yes, on Red Dragon darts with "Switch Point" in the name. Red Dragon says those darts use Winmau's Switch Point technology.

Do I need a tool to change dart points?

Screw-in systems use a small key-style tool from the same system. Fixed points need a repointing tool.

Can I convert fixed-point darts to screw-in points?

Shot makes a Thread Head Point Adaptor that converts compatible fixed-point Shot barrels to Turbo Points. For other brands, buy a dart with the system built in.

How often should I change my dart points?

When a point works loose or gets damaged, or when you want a different length or grip. Screw-in points can be changed whenever you like.

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