| The vast majority of airsoft players utilize | | | | benefits of these are that you can visibly see |
| standard airsoft pellets, which are spherical, plastic, | | | | when you hit a target or opponent. The |
| six millimeter projectiles. The term BB has | | | | drawbacks of these "markerballs" are that they |
| become synonymous with airsoft pellet, although | | | | can easily break inside the barrel or other part of |
| historically a BB is a smaller (around four and a | | | | the gun, damaging it internally and possibly voiding |
| half millimeters), metallic projectile that can be | | | | the warranty. In general, it is advised that you do |
| lethal. Besides regular pellets, there are a variety | | | | not use markerballs, and if you do, you should |
| of special pellets that have been developed for a | | | | keep the use down to a minimum. |
| multitude of purposes, and although they are | | | | One of the most interesting types of pellets is |
| more expensive, most people find the extra cost | | | | the tracer pellet, which is luminescent and can be |
| to be worth it. | | | | seen in the dark. The purpose is to be able to see |
| Biodegradable airsoft pellets are becoming more | | | | where you are firing in a night game, as seeing |
| popular as airsoft players become more | | | | the flight path of a regular pellet is almost |
| environmentally conscientious. Regular pellets have | | | | impossible. To save money, tracer pellets can be |
| are petroleum or mineral based, and will remain in | | | | interspersed with normal ammo, in varying ratios |
| the environment for hundreds of years if not | | | | depending on the situation. |
| manually removed. Biodegradable alternatives are | | | | While extremely rare, there do exist various |
| composed of materials that naturally decompose | | | | non-spherical pellets that resemble real bullets |
| in the ground, and many airsoft fields are | | | | more closely than traditional airsoft pellets. |
| beginning to require that players use only | | | | Non-spherical pellets are incompatible with most |
| biodegradable ammunition. While biodegradable | | | | airsoft models and are incredibly expensive, and |
| pellets are not widely available currently, it is | | | | most airsoft players will never even see one. |
| possible that in the future they will be the only | | | | However, it is good to be aware of their |
| option. | | | | existence. |
| Paint filled pellets can also be utilized, and the | | | | |