Dartboard Setup: Height, Distance and Fitting

Last updated 10 November 2026

Three measurements decide whether your practice at home translates to the pub or league: the height of the board, the distance to the throw line, and a diagonal check that confirms the first two. Here they are, followed by how to fit a board properly.

Regulation measurements (steel-tip darts)

Measurement	Metric	Imperial	Measured from
Height of the bull	1.73 m	5 ft 8 in	Floor to the centre of the bullseye
Throwing distance (oche)	2.37 m	7 ft 9¼ in	Along the floor, from the face of the board to the back of the throw line
Diagonal check	2.93 m	9 ft 7⅜ in	Centre of the bull to the back of the throw line at floor level

These are the standard distances used for steel-tip darts. Soft-tip (electronic) boards often use a longer throw, commonly 2.44 m (8 ft), so check the rules of the league you play in.

Why the diagonal matters: measure the throwing distance from the face of the board, not the wall. The board sits a few centimetres proud of the wall, and the diagonal check catches mistakes in both measurements at once. If it reads 2.93 m, you are set up correctly.

Fitting the board, step by step

Choose the spot. Allow about 3 m of clear floor in front of the board, away from doorways and walkways. Nobody should be able to walk between the thrower and the board.
Find a solid fixing. Screw the bracket into a stud or a solid wall with suitable plugs. A board that moves when hit throws darts out.
Mark the height. Measure 1.73 m from the floor and mark it. Fix the bracket so that, once mounted, the centre of the bull lines up with your mark. Check where the bracket sits on the back of your board before drilling.
Hang the board with 20 at the top. The 20 segment is dark on a standard board. Most boards have a removable number ring so you can rotate the board itself.
Mark the oche. Measure 2.37 m along the floor from the board face and fix a throw line: a strip of tape, or a raised oche bar if you have one.
Check the diagonal. Measure from the bull to the back of the throw line. Adjust until it reads 2.93 m.

Making the space work

Protect the wall. A surround or cabinet catches darts that miss the board.
Protect the floor. Missed darts damage wood and tiles. A dart mat also gives you a built-in oche line.
Light it evenly. Light from one side throws shadows across the board, which makes it harder to read where darts land. A ring light or two lights on either side avoids this.

Looking after a bristle board

Rotate it. Most damage happens around the treble 20. Every so often, take off the number ring and turn the board so that a different segment takes the wear. Then refit the ring with 20 at the top.
Keep it dry. Never soak or spray a bristle board. Moisture makes the fibres swell and wears them out faster.
Twist darts out. Pull with a slight twist rather than levering the dart up and down.

Wheelchair darts

Wheelchair players commonly use a lower board, with the bull at about 1.37 m (4 ft 6 in). The throwing distance stays the same. Rules vary between events, so check with the organiser.

Frequently asked questions

How high should a dartboard be?

The centre of the bullseye should be 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) from the floor.

How far away do you stand from a dartboard?

For steel-tip darts the throw line is 2.37 m (7 ft 9¼ in) from the face of the board, measured along the floor.

How do I check my dartboard is set up correctly?

Measure diagonally from the centre of the bull to the back of the throw line on the floor. It should be 2.93 m (9 ft 7⅜ in).

Which way up does a dartboard go?

With the 20 at the top. On a standard board the 20 segment is dark.