Types of Windshield Chips Explained

The six main types of windshield chips are bulls-eye (circular ring, easiest to repair, $50 to $75), star break (radiating legs, moderate difficulty, $60 to $85), half-moon (semicircle, easy to repair, $50 to $75), combination break (circle plus legs, complex but repairable under 3 inches, $65 to $85), crack chip (single line, repairable under 6 inches), and pit (tiny divot, usually optional to repair). Bulls-eye and half-moon chips are the most straightforward repairs with the best cosmetic results. Star breaks and combination breaks are Denver's most common chip types due to high-speed gravel on I-25 and I-70. All repairable types are typically covered at $0 by Colorado insurance.

When a rock hits your windshield, the resulting damage takes a specific shape depending on the size of the object, the speed of impact, the angle of impact, and the temperature of the glass. Technicians classify chip types by their visual pattern because each type responds differently to the resin injection repair process. Here is a detailed guide to every common chip type you might encounter on Denver roads.

1. Bulls-Eye Chip

A bulls-eye is a circular chip with a cone-shaped impact point surrounded by a smooth, round separation in the glass. It looks like a dark circle with a lighter ring around it -- similar to a target or bullseye pattern. Bulls-eye chips are caused by round objects hitting the windshield at a perpendicular angle, which is common when following trucks on I-25 that drop gravel straight down onto your glass.

Repairability: Bulls-eye chips are among the easiest to repair because their smooth, circular shape allows resin to flow evenly into the damaged area. As long as the diameter is under one inch, a bulls-eye repair produces excellent results with minimal visible marking.

2. Star Break

A star break has a central impact point with multiple cracks radiating outward in a star or starburst pattern. The legs of the star can extend anywhere from half an inch to several inches from the center. Star breaks are the most common chip type on Colorado highways because they form when angular or irregularly shaped debris strikes the glass at high speed -- exactly the kind of road debris kicked up during Denver's constant construction seasons.

Repairability: Star breaks are repairable when the overall diameter (from the tip of one leg to the tip of the opposite leg) is under three inches and the legs are not too long. The repair process requires careful injection into each individual leg, making it slightly more complex than a bulls-eye repair but still very doable in 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Half-Moon (Partial Bulls-Eye)

A half-moon chip is essentially half of a bulls-eye. It has a semicircular shape with the impact point at the flat edge. Half-moons form when the object strikes at a slight angle rather than dead-on. They are very common and look like a small, dark crescent on your windshield.

Repairability: Half-moons repair just as well as full bulls-eye chips. The semicircular shape accepts resin easily, and the results are typically excellent. If the half-moon is under one inch, repair is nearly always successful.

4. Combination Break

A combination break is exactly what it sounds like: a chip that shows characteristics of multiple damage types. The most common combination is a bulls-eye center with star-break legs radiating outward. These form from high-energy impacts, often from larger pieces of road debris at highway speeds.

Repairability: Combination breaks are repairable but represent the most complex repair type. The technician must address both the circular center and the radiating cracks. If the total diameter stays under three inches, repair is usually successful. Larger combinations often require replacement.

5. Crack Chip

A crack chip has a single linear crack extending from the impact point in one or both directions. Unlike a star break where multiple legs radiate in different directions, a crack chip has just one fracture line. These are common on Denver roads during winter when the cold glass is more brittle and tends to fracture in a straight line upon impact.

Repairability: Crack chips are repairable when the total crack length is under six inches. Once the crack exceeds six inches or reaches the windshield edge, replacement is usually recommended because the structural integrity is compromised beyond what resin can restore.

6. Pit

A pit is the smallest type of windshield damage -- a tiny nick or divot in the glass surface without any surrounding cracks. Pits are caused by small sand particles or fine gravel and may not even be noticeable until light catches them at the right angle. Denver's extensive use of sand and mag chloride on winter roads makes pits extremely common.

Repairability: Most pits do not require repair because they do not compromise structural integrity or vision. However, if a pit is bothersome or in your line of sight, a quick application of resin can smooth it out. Pits can also be starting points for future cracks, especially in Denver's temperature extremes.

Chip Type Comparison

Which Type Do Denver Drivers See Most?

Based on the conditions specific to Colorado's Front Range, the most common chip types in Denver are star breaks and combination breaks. The high-speed gravel thrown up on I-25, I-70, and I-225 tends to hit windshields with enough force to create radiating fracture patterns. Winter driving adds an extra element because cold glass is more brittle and more likely to develop extended fracture lines upon impact. Visit our types of damage page for a visual reference guide.

Regardless of which type you have, the key is getting it assessed and repaired quickly. Denver's temperature swings will cause any chip to grow over time. Learn more about why timing matters in our guide on when to repair a chip.