Bullseye, Star, Half-Moon: Types of Windshield Chips

The different types of windshield chips all start the same way, with a small impact, but they don't all behave the same on the road. If you know that you are looking at a bullseye, a star, a half-moon, or something else, you will know the answer to one big question: can it be filled, or does the whole glass need to be replaced?

Key Takeaways:

• The five most common types of windshield chips are bullseye, star, half-moon, combination, and surface pit.

• Most chips smaller than a quarter (about 2.4 cm across) can usually be filled professionally.

• A star chip in the windshield glass tends to spread the fastest because of its radiating legs.

• Chips within 4 cm of the windshield edge almost always require a full replacement.

• Catching the damage in the first few days gives you the best shot at a clean repair.

What Is a Windshield Chip, and Why Does the Type Matter

A windshield chip is a small area of impact damage on the outer layer of glass, in which a portion of the glass has been displaced, and a small void has been created. That void can remain stable for months, or it can develop into a long crack across your sight line overnight. The outcome depends on the shape of the break.

That's why identifying the different types of windshield chips is more than a labelling exercise. The shape tells our technicians how the damage will propagate, whether the resin can fill it cleanly, and whether the structural integrity of your glass remains intact. So before we talk about repair or replace, we look at the shape first.

The Main Types of Windshield Chips

Most chip damage falls into one of five categories. Each looks different, forms differently, and has its own repair outlook.

Bullseye Chip

The classic and easy-to-spot windshield chip is the bullseye. The dark circle will have a distinct outer ring, resembling a small target etched into the glass. It typically occurs when a rounded, blunt object, such as road gravel, collides with the windshield at a clean angle. A windshield bullseye chip is one of the most fixable types of damage, since the damage is contained within that ring. Resin flows evenly, and most of the original clarity is restored.

Star Chip (Also Called a Star Break)

A star chip windshield strike looks exactly how it sounds: a central impact point with short crack legs radiating outward like a starburst. These form when something with a sharp edge hits the glass. The trouble is in those legs. Each one is a micro-crack waiting to lengthen the next time the temperature swings or the road throws a bump under your tires. That makes star damage trickier than a clean bullseye, though it's still often repairable when it's small and fresh.

Half-Moon (Partial Bullseye)

A half moon is basically a bullseye that didn't fully form. Instead of a ring, you will see a crescent or half-circle shape, typically resulting from a glancing-angle impact in which only a portion of the cone-shaped piece broke away. Repair results are comparable to those of a complete bullseye. Resin can usually restore it if it is small, away from the edge, and not in your direct line of sight.

Combination Chip

Combination damage is what it sounds like: a mix. You'll often see a bullseye or half-moon with star legs radiating from it, the result of a higher-velocity impact. Repairability here is a judgment call. If the legs are short and the centre is contained, we can usually save it. If those legs run long, a full windshield replacement becomes the safer option.

Surface Pit

A surface pit is a tiny, crater-like defect in the glass's outer layer that does not penetrate the deeper layers. They are caused by sand, salt, and small grit and are more cosmetic than structural. Most do not require active repair, but if you see a bunch of them in your line of sight, it's worth having a professional evaluate them.

Bullseye vs. Star vs. Half-Moon: Which One Spreads the Fastest?

Among common shapes, star damage spreads the fastest. The radiating legs are simply existing micro-cracks under stress, and each temperature change or jolt can cause them to grow. A bullseye windshield chip, on the other hand, is contained within its ring and is less likely to move around. Half-moons are in between, stable most of the time, but easily affected if they are close to the edge or if severe weather occurs.

Timing matters more for some shapes than others. If you've spotted a star chip in the windshield of your vehicle, treat it as time-sensitive. A clean bullseye gives you more breathing room, though neither is something to ride out through a full Ontario winter.

Which Windshield Chips Can Be Repaired (And Which Can't)

Three factors determine whether a chip is repairable: size, location, and distance from the edge.

• For size, the rule of thumb is a quarter. If the damage is smaller than a quarter (roughly 2.4 cm across), resin can usually fill it and restore the structural strength of the glass. Anything larger typically calls for replacement.

• For location, the chip needs to sit outside the driver's critical sight line. Even the best fill leaves a faint mark, and Ontario safety standards rightly treat clear forward visibility as non-negotiable.

• For edge distance, chips within 4 cm of the windshield frame are at high risk of spreading because the glass is under more stress at the edges. These almost always need full replacement.

Professional star chip windshield repair is one of the most common jobs we handle at Forest City Auto Glass, and the same three-factor check applies to every chip. Successful star windshield chip repair almost always comes down to one thing: acting within days, not weeks, of the impact.

When a Chip Means You Need a Full Windshield Replacement

Sometimes the damage has already crossed the line where a fill won't cut it. Replacement is the right call if the chip is larger than a quarter, sits squarely in your sightline, runs within 4 cm of the edge, or has cracked legs longer than about 3 inches. A star chip windshield case with long, branching legs is one of the most common triggers for a full swap. Quick star chip windshield repair done early often prevents reaching this point.

Modern replacements are also more complex than they used to be. Most newer vehicles are equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems), which includes cameras and sensors behind the glass for functions such as lane-keep assist and automatic braking. After a replacement, those systems need recalibration to factory specs, or the safety features won't read the road correctly.

At Forest City Auto Glass, we bring a family-business touch to every job, proudly serving everyday drivers, local businesses and dealerships throughout the London community. , and that experience matters most right here, in the honest call between repair and replace.

What to Do the Moment You Spot a Chip

Quick action preserves your options. Here's what we'd tell a friend:

1.  Keep your vehicle garage-parked on freezing winter nights and shielded from direct sunlight during hot summer days.

2. Skip the hot defrost on a cold windshield and the ice scraper on a warm one. Sudden temperature shifts turn small chips into long cracks.

3. Book a professional assessment within a few days, not a few weeks. For star damage in particular, prompt star windshield chip repair makes the difference between a quick fill and a full replacement.

4. Check your insurance. Most Ontario policies cover chip repair with no deductible, which often means a quick fix costs you nothing out of pocket.

Drive With Confidence Again

Knowing which type of windshield chip you're dealing with is the first step in protecting both your safety and your wallet. A small bullseye or half-moon caught early can be a quick, low-cost fix. A long star, an edge chip, or anything sitting in your line of sight is a different matter. Either way, you don't have to make the call alone.

At Forest City Auto Glass, we'll give you an honest assessment, handle the insurance paperwork, and stand behind our workmanship for the life of your vehicle, all at your home, office, or our London shop. Same-day service available! Book a free chip check today. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a bullseye windshield chip?

A windshield bullseye chip is a circular impact mark that resembles a small target, with a darker centre and a defined outer ring. It occurs when a round object strikes the glass at a clean angle and is typically repairable if detected early.

Can a star chip in the windshield be repaired?

Yes, in most cases. As long as the legs are short, the chip is outside the driver's line of sight, and it's not within 4 cm of the edge, resin can usually restore it. The sooner it's filled, the better the result.

What kind of windshield chips can be repaired?

Most chips less than a quarter in size, outside the driver's line of sight, and more than 4 cm from the edge are repairable. Bullseyes, half-moons, and small stars are usually the easiest to repair.

How long can I drive with a windshield chip before it spreads?

There is no specific time frame, but most chips will spread within days or weeks as temperature fluctuations, road vibration, or pressure changes occur. The sooner you book a check, the better.