BBs are the small balls that are fired from airsoft guns. There are various explanations for the term BB, the most common being Baby Bullet or Ball Bearing. Baby Bullet stands for "small ball," in contrast to those fired from real firearms. Ball Bearing refers to the balls in ball bearings, which, according to a widely held theory, were used in the first models. BBs usually have a diameter of 6 mm, which is why these airsoft guns are also assigned the caliber of 6mm BB. Legally, BBs are classified as projectiles. In addition to the 6 mm BB caliber, there are also other sizes, especially abroad, which are abbreviated as follows: BBB for .190" (4.83 mm) and BB for .180" (4.57 mm). BBs are mostly made of plastic, but biodegradable materials are increasingly becoming popular. The airsoft game is very dynamic, and the consumption of BBs is very high, which is why hundreds of BBs can be fired per game day. The price for 1000 BBs is around 5 to 20 euros, depending on material, weight, and quality.
Below are airsoft BBs in caliber 6 mm, categorized by purpose. The decisive factor for the ideal weight of the projectiles is the energy with which the gun accelerates the balls. This is measured at the muzzle of the barrel - hence "muzzle energy."
| Weight | Use |
| 0.12 g | Toy airsoft with a muzzle energy of under 0.25 Joules |
| 0.16 g | Toy airsoft with up to 0.5 Joules muzzle energy |
| 0.20 g | Standard airsoft, well suited for short distances. Susceptible to external influences like wind at longer shooting distances. Ideal for muzzle energies of up to 0.9 Joules |
| 0.23 g | up to 1 Joule muzzle energy |
| 0.25g | Stable trajectory. 0.25 g is the upper limit for non-modified airsoft guns |
| 0.28 g | Cost-effective alternative to 0.30g BBs. Sensible from 0.5 Joules muzzle energy |
| 0.30 g | Ideal weight for precision airsoft |
| 0.36 g | Slow-flying but stable airsoft ammunition for precision weapons |
| 0.43 g | From 3 Joules muzzle energy, exclusively precision weapons |
Ballistically, bio BBs are now on par with traditional plastic BBs. For environmental protection reasons, plastic balls are no longer allowed in most fields. Bio BBs are made from biodegradable materials such as stone flour or starch. However, this sustainability is also their disadvantage; they are not indefinitely durable and can decompose if stored poorly before being fired.
Tracer BBs are special airsoft projectiles that are coated with a fluorescent substance and therefore glow in the dark. To achieve this effect when fired, they are flashed with a tracer in the gun at the moment of firing and glow during flight.
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