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Dartboard Height and Distance

Dartboard Height and Distance: How to Setup a Dartboard

Setting up a dartboard at home needs careful attention to the height you set the dartboard up at and the distance you set the throw line. People place too much focus on having the dartboard setup look good (which is of course important, we all want a professional setup…) but get the height and distance wrong. 

This means any practice will have minimal carryover to a competitive game because you’ve got used to throwing at a specific height or distance and this is what your muscle memory will be based on. Below is the correct dartboard height and distance:

Dartboard height (measured from the center of the bullseye to the ground) – 5’8in (1.73m) from the floor

Dartboard distance (measured from the front of the dartboard) – 7’9-1/4in (2.37m)

Read on as we cover the correct dartboard height and distance for all dart setups and guide you on correctly setting up your dartboard at home. 

What You Need to Set Up a Dartboard at Home

So like the thousands of others who have joined the darts revolution, you have now decided to set yourself up with a dartboard at home…simple enough?

Well, actually there are quite a few factors you must adhere to if you want this to be the place that will supply the next Gerwyn Price or Peter Wright.

Firstly and most importantly you need a safe space with enough clearance around the board to throw darts safely and that means 5 feet of width to allow for the backing for the board (should you deem it necessary) and wayward darts, which if you are a beginner is going to happen.

Then depending on what surface you’re throwing on, you might consider a protective darts mat, that will not only protect your floor but also your darts should they fall from the board. 

These mats are available with the throw lines already marked out, a useful thing to know, and don’t forget to keep anything valuable away from the vicinity of the board.

You may also want to pay particular attention to lighting, as the better illuminated the board, the more accurately you will hopefully throw, making sure the light is angled so as not to create shadows on the board.

The board will need to be set up away from any door openings – an obvious safety measure – as you don’t want anyone to walk into a steel-tipped dart on its way to the board and finally check that if you are using anything that is raised like a mat, rug or wooden plinth as a throw line, that these can be a tripping hazard so if they’re not fixed, put them safely away.

To set up a dartboard you’ll need the following:

  • Measuring tape
  • Drill (if mounting on a wall)
  • Mounting fixtures and fitting (often come with the darboard)
  • Mounting instructions (again, these will come with the dartboard)

Dartboard Measurements

As we have already said, it’s important to leave plenty of room for your new board. A dartboard is about 18 inches in diameter just on its own, but quite often it comes complete with a backing board in various guises that incorporates a scoreboard, built-in lighting, and storage for darts, and whilst some are open viewing, some have cabinet doors which will need more room if fully opened.

Dartboard Height and Distance (How to Hang a Dartboard)

Your dartboard needs to be fixed flush to the wall or surface you are using, as any lean or tilt will not give a true throwing experience and is likely to make the board move away from its true position. 

When you consider modern boards can weigh in excess of 5 kgs (10lbs), it’s important they are fixed using special brackets that will allow the board to be centered snugly with the 20 in its correct position. These brackets will usually come with the board or cabinet and they vary in their fixings so in some cases are only meant for a particular board.  

The board needs to be set at a height where the center of the board or bull is exactly 5’8in or 1.73 m from the floor.

For further information on hanging your dartboard, check out our more dedicated guide on how to hang a dartboard or check out this useful video below:

Darts Throwing Distance

The exact throwing distance to the throw line, toe line, or oche (whichever you want to call it), is 7’9 1/4in or 2.37 meters. 

Now, this measurement is not from the wall, but from the front of the dartboard. So if you drop a plumb line from the front of your board to the floor, then take the measurement from there for accuracy. You can be absolutely exact by using certain digital or laser markers, but you’re now getting into the realms of millimeters, so don’t lose too much sleep on that score.

Dartboard throwing distance =  7’9 1/4in (2.37 meters) measured from the front of the board to the throw line. 

Ladies Darts Throwing Distance

The distance for women is exactly the same as men and seeing as women are now competing against their male counterparts on the circuit this is right. 

So they also throw from 7’9 1/4in or 1.73 meters, but it’s not unknown for this to be 7′ in some clubs where women participate in darts matches and practice, but the professional circuit doesn’t allow any leeway and it remains at 1.73m.

Soft Tip Darts Throwing Distance

Soft tip darts throwing distances vary slightly to 8 feet or 2.44 meters in length.

Wheelchair Throwing Distance

The distance from the throw line is exactly the same for wheelchair darts players. A wheelchair dart-throwing distance is set at 1.73m or 7’9 1/4in, but the dartboard height is set lower at 4’6in or 1.37m.

How Much Space Do You Need for Darts

It’s imperative you give special thought to the space around your board. When you consider that you throw from almost 8 feet to a board set 6 feet up a wall and this doesn’t account for any inaccuracy, then you can see how important it is to place the board in a room with plenty of space! 

It should be kept away from expensive decor and belongings, as well as remembering that homes have pets and inquisitive young children, so pay attention to all these points. 

However good you may think you are, it’s obvious that mistakes and bad luck can cause darts to fly off in different directions than you expected (especially as a result of bounce-outs), so even if your board has a decent surround, allow an extra couple of feet either side of the board to be safe and protect any furnishings or floors that can be damaged by dart points.

Final Thoughts

When getting your first (or a new) dartboard, one of the most important things to do is get the dartboard height and distance set up correctly. This ensures you are throwing from the distance that is used in competitive games. 

The dartboard height and distance is designed for optimal play and factors in the trajectory of the dart so if you want the most enjoyable experience possible, ensure your dartboard is set up to the following measurements:

  • Dartboard height – 5’8in (1.73m) from the floor
  • Dartboard distance – 7’9-1/4in (2.37m)