The measurements
| Measurement | Steel tip | Soft tip |
|---|---|---|
| Floor to the center of the bull | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Face of the board to the throw line | 7 ft 9¼ in (237 cm) | 8 ft (244 cm) |
| Center of the bull to the throw line, diagonally | 9 ft 7⅜ in (293.4 cm) | About 9 ft 9⅝ in (299 cm) |
The steel-tip figures are the world standard, set by the WDF and used by the PDC and steel-tip leagues. The 8 ft soft-tip line is the standard in American soft-tip leagues. If you play in a league, its rules have the final say.
How to measure
- Height first. Measure from the floor straight up to the center of the bullseye, not to the top of the board or the hanging bracket. If you stand on a mat or a raised oche, measure from that surface.
- Then the throw line. Drop a plumb line or a level from the face of the board to the floor and measure from that point, horizontally. Don't measure from the wall: the board itself sticks out about 1½ in (38 mm).
- Check the diagonal. Measure from the center of the bull to the throw line on the floor. If it reads 9 ft 7⅜ in (293.4 cm) for steel tip, the height and the distance are both right.
- Keep the 20 at the top, with the 20 segment straight up and the board level.
Setup checklist
- Room to throw: about 10 ft (3 m) of clear floor in front of the board, and space either side so a player can stand at the line without touching a wall.
- Lighting: light the board from the front or with a ring light around it. Overhead room lights cast shadows from your darts across the segments you're aiming at.
- Surround: a foam or rubber ring around the board catches the darts that miss, so the points stay sharp and the wall stays whole.
- Mat or tape: an oche mat with the line printed on it saves the floor and marks the distance for you. A strip of tape at the right spot does the same job.
- The board itself: a bristle board for steel-tip darts, fixed firmly so it doesn't move when a dart lands, and turned a segment now and then to spread the wear.
Questions
How high should a dartboard be?
The center of the bullseye should be 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) from the floor. That's the same for steel-tip and soft-tip boards.
How far is the throw line from a dartboard?
For steel tip, 7 ft 9¼ in (237 cm) from the face of the board, measured along the floor. For soft tip, usually 8 ft (244 cm).
What is the diagonal distance from the bullseye to the throw line?
For steel tip, 9 ft 7⅜ in (293.4 cm) from the center of the bull to the throw line on the floor. It's the quickest way to check that both the height and the distance are right.
Do I measure the throw line from the wall or the board?
From the face of the board. The board sticks out about 1½ in (38 mm) from the wall, so measuring from the wall puts the line too close.
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