A marking projectile is disclosed that comprises an elongated projectile body and a porous powder-releasing head fixed to a forward end of the projectile body with an attachment means. A powder reservoir is defined between the projectile body and the powder-releasing head for holding a marking powder, such as chalk. In one embodiment of the invention, a projectile head is fixed to the forward end of the projectile body, the powder reservoir being defined therebetween. The marking powder preferably has a particle size spread substantially uniformly between 170 and 900 microns. As such, upon impact of the marking projectile with an object, an adequate portion of the powder traverses the porous powder-releasing head to become fixed to the object, thereby visibly marking the object. The marking projectile may be shot with a projectile gun or thrown manually, for example, at the targeted object.