Dartboard Height and Throw Line Distance: Official Measurements and How to Measure Them

The standard dartboard setup is simple: the center of the bullseye is 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) above the floor, and the throw line is 7 ft 9 1/4 in (237 cm) from the face of the board for steel-tip darts. Most home setups go wrong in the details, such as measuring from the wall instead of the board face or hanging the board by its top edge. This guide gives the measurements, shows how to check them and explains what to do when your room cannot match them.

The measurements at a glance

• Board height: the center of the bullseye is 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) from the floor.
• Steel-tip throw line: 7 ft 9 1/4 in (237 cm), measured horizontally from the face of the board to the line.
• Soft-tip (electronic) throw line: usually 8 ft (244 cm), with the bullseye at the same height.
• Diagonal check: from the center of the bullseye to the point on the floor at the throw line, 9 ft 7 3/8 in (293 cm) for steel-tip.

These are the standard figures used in organized darts, and the major darts organizations publish the same numbers. If all you need is how high to hang a dartboard and how far to stand, that is it. The rest of this guide is about getting them right in a real room.

How high should a dartboard be?

Measure up from the floor to the center of the bullseye, not to the top or bottom of the board. Mark that height on the wall, then mount the board so the center of the bull sits on the mark. The 20 segment goes at the top, so check that the board is level with the 20 straight above the bull. If the floor is carpeted, measure from the carpet surface where players will stand.

How far is the throw line from the board?

The distance is horizontal, and it is measured from the face of the board, not from the wall. The board stands off the wall by its own thickness and its mounting, so measuring from the wall makes the throw too short. The line on the floor is called the oche (pronounced OCK-ee) or the toe line.

How to measure step by step

1. Mark 5 ft 8 in on the wall and hang the board so the center of the bull sits on the mark.
2. Tape one end of a string to the center of the bull and let it hang straight down with a small weight on the end, so it touches the floor.
3. Mark the floor where the weight touches. This is the point directly below the face of the board.
4. From that mark, measure 7 ft 9 1/4 in straight out at a right angle to the wall (8 ft for soft-tip) and mark the throw line. A square against the wall base helps keep the measurement straight.
5. Check the diagonal: stretch a tape from the center of the bull to the mark. It should read 9 ft 7 3/8 in for steel-tip. If it does not, the line is crooked or in the wrong place, so adjust it.
6. Mark the line with tape or a dedicated strip, wide enough that a player can stand behind it without stepping on it.

Steel tip versus soft tip

Steel-tip darts are thrown at bristle (sisal) boards, and soft-tip darts are thrown at electronic boards with plastic tips. Soft-tip play commonly uses 8 ft, a little longer than the steel-tip line, though leagues and venues sometimes set their own distances, so use theirs if you play in one. Pick one distance and keep it, so your scores mean the same thing from night to night. Use darts that match the board: steel points are not for electronic boards.

Protecting the wall and floor

Missed darts dent walls, and darts that drop point-down can mark a floor. A dartboard surround, which is a ring that catches stray darts, or a backboard behind the board protects the wall. A mat or an offcut of carpet beneath the board catches dropped darts and protects the floor.

Safety

Steel points are sharp. Keep the lane between the throw line and the board clear of people and pets while anyone is throwing, wait until every dart has landed before anyone walks up, and do not set up where someone could walk into the lane. Adults should supervise any younger players.

If your room cannot meet the measurements

Plenty of home setups cannot fit 7 ft 9 1/4 in plus room to step back, such as hallways or small basements. You can still play at a shorter distance. Just be honest that the scores are not regulation, and use the same shorter line every time. The 5 ft 8 in height is easier to keep than the distance. If you want to practice the regulation throw, mark the correct distance on a longer wall or garage floor and use it when you can.

Once the board is up and the line is down, you need darts that suit it. The steel tip dart set is 15 darts in five sets of three, about 0.5 oz each, for bristle or sisal boards; the board is not included. As the listing says, steel tip darts are not a toy and are not for children under 14. More game-room items are in our Games & Hobby collection.