Setting up a dart board properly at home takes less than 30 minutes, but getting the measurements right makes all the difference. Using official dimensions means your practice at home directly translates to pub and competition play. Here's exactly how to do it.
Official Dart Board Measurements
These measurements are set by the World Darts Federation (WDF) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), and are used in every sanctioned tournament worldwide:
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches (1.73m) from the floor to the centre of the bullseye
- Throwing distance (oche): 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37m) from the face of the board to the throwing line
- Diagonal: 9 feet 7.5 inches (2.93m) from the bullseye to the oche (a useful check measurement)
The diagonal measurement is your best friend for verification. If you measure 1.73m up and 2.37m out, the diagonal from bullseye to oche should be 2.93m. If it's not, one of your measurements is off.
Step-by-Step Mounting Guide
What You'll Need
- Dart board — browse our dartboard range for bristle boards from Winmau, Target, Mission, and more
- Mounting bracket (usually included with the board)
- Tape measure
- Spirit level
- Drill with appropriate wall plugs
- Pencil
Step 1: Mark the Height
Measure 1.73m (5ft 8in) from the floor and mark the wall with a pencil. This mark is where the centre of the bullseye will sit. Use a spirit level to ensure your mark is accurate — uneven floors can throw this off, so measure from the section of floor directly below where you're mounting.
Step 2: Mount the Bracket
Most dart boards come with a wall-mounting bracket. Fix it to the wall so the board's bullseye will align with your 1.73m mark. For plasterboard walls, use heavy-duty wall plugs — a bristle board weighs 4–5kg, and the vibration from darts landing can loosen standard fixings over time.
For brick or concrete walls, standard wall plugs are fine. Pre-drill the holes and check the bracket is level before fully tightening.
Step 3: Hang the Board
Hang the dart board on the bracket. The number 20 segment should be at the top, directly at 12 o'clock. The colours should alternate: 20 (black) at top, with 1 and 5 on either side. Double-check the bullseye is at 1.73m.
Step 4: Mark the Oche
From the face of the board (not the wall), measure out 2.37m (7ft 9.25in) along the floor and mark your throwing line. Note: you're measuring from the front surface of the board, not the wall behind it. This typically adds 3–4cm to the wall-to-oche distance.
You can mark the oche with tape, a raised oche strip, or one of our dart mats with a built-in oche line.
Step 5: Verify with the Diagonal
Measure from the centre of the bullseye directly to the oche mark. It should read 2.93m (9ft 7.5in). If it does, your setup is competition-standard.
Choosing the Right Dart Board
Not all bristle boards are equal. The key differentiators are wire type and sisal density:
- Staple-free / blade wire boards — Thin embedded wires that reduce bounce-outs by up to 30% compared to round-wire boards. The Winmau Blade 6 and Target TOR use this technology. These are the boards used on the PDC stage.
- Round-wire boards — More affordable but more bounce-outs. Fine for casual play but frustrating for regular practice.
We stock boards from all major manufacturers: Winmau, Target, Mission, Shot, Unicorn, Red Dragon, and Harrows.
Protecting Your Walls
Missed darts will hit the wall — it's inevitable, especially while learning. There are three main options for wall protection:
Dart Board Surround
A surround is a foam or rubber ring that fits around the board. It catches stray darts that miss the scoring area, preventing wall damage. This is the most popular solution and looks the cleanest. A good surround adds about 15cm of protection around the entire board.
Backboard
A sheet of cork, MDF, or soft wood mounted behind and around the board. Less visually appealing than a surround but provides broader coverage. A 90cm × 90cm backboard covers most stray darts.
Combination
For maximum protection (especially useful in rental properties), use both a surround on the board and a larger backboard behind it.
Lighting Your Dart Board
Good lighting eliminates shadows on the board face, making the segments and doubles easier to see. Poor lighting is one of the most common setup mistakes.
- Dedicated dart board light — A ring light or bar light that mounts above the board and illuminates the face evenly. The best option. Browse our dartboard lighting range from Target and Winmau for purpose-built options.
- Overhead room light — Workable if it's bright enough, but often creates shadows on the lower half of the board.
- Avoid side lighting — Light from the side creates shadows across the wiring, making segment boundaries harder to see.
Board Stands and Rigs
If you can't (or don't want to) drill into the wall, a dartboard stand is the alternative. Freestanding rigs hold the board at the correct height and can be moved between rooms or stored away. They're popular in garages, gardens, and rental properties. Browse our dartboard rigs and stands.
Board Rotation for Even Wear
The 20/treble 20 area gets the most use. Over time, this wears the sisal fibres and causes more bounce-outs. To extend your board's life:
- Rotate the board one segment clockwise every few weeks (remove from bracket, rotate the number ring, remount)
- The wire frame stays in place — you're just turning the board so a fresh section of sisal sits behind the 20
- A well-rotated board can last 2–3 times longer than one that's never moved
Complete Setup Checklist
Everything you need for the perfect home darts setup:
- Dartboard — bristle/sisal for steel tip
- Surround — wall protection
- Lighting — shadow-free board illumination
- Mat / oche — marked throwing line
- Scoreboard — track your games
- Darts — see our beginner's buying guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What height should a dart board be?
The centre of the bullseye should be 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 metres) from the floor. This is the official measurement used by both the PDC and the World Darts Federation in all sanctioned competitions.
How far should you stand from a dart board?
The official throwing distance (oche) is 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 metres) from the face of the board for steel tip darts. For soft tip darts, the distance is 8 feet (2.44 metres). Measure from the front surface of the board, not the wall. Use one of our dart mats for a permanent oche marking.
What is the diagonal measurement for a dart board?
The diagonal from the centre of the bullseye to the oche should measure 9 feet 7.5 inches (2.93 metres). This is a useful check to verify your height and distance measurements are both correct.
Do I need a surround for my dart board?
A surround isn't mandatory, but it's strongly recommended to protect your wall from stray darts. This is especially important for beginners whose grouping may be wider, and essential in rental properties where wall damage could cost your deposit.
Sources: WDF Playing Rules, Section 3 — Playing Area; PDC Tournament Regulations
