Hang a regulation dartboard with the bullseye centre 1.73m (5ft 8in) from the floor. The oche sits 2.37m (7ft 9.25in) from the board face for steel-tip and 2.44m (8ft) for soft-tip. Verify both at once with the bull-to-oche diagonal: 2.93m for steel-tip, 2.99m for soft-tip.
The one number to remember: bullseye height is 1.73m for every board, steel-tip or soft-tip. Only the throwing distance changes between the two formats.
What Are the Official Dartboard Measurements?
The official dartboard measurements set the bullseye height at 1.73m from the floor and the throwing distance at 2.37m for steel-tip or 2.44m for soft-tip. These figures are standardised internationally and used by the World Darts Federation (WDF) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). The height is identical for both formats; only the horizontal throw distance differs.
| Measurement | Metric | Imperial | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullseye height (floor to bull centre) | 1.73m | 5ft 8in | Same for steel-tip and soft-tip |
| Steel-tip throw distance (oche) | 2.37m | 7ft 9.25in | Board face to front of throw line |
| Soft-tip throw distance (oche) | 2.44m | 8ft | Electronic boards throw 7cm further back |
| Steel-tip diagonal (bull to oche) | 2.93m | 9ft 7.375in | Double-check measurement |
| Soft-tip diagonal (bull to oche) | 2.99m | 9ft 9.75in | Double-check measurement |
Figures per WDF and PDC regulation standards, cross-checked across multiple darts references.
How High Should a Dartboard Be Hung?
A dartboard should be hung with the centre of the bullseye exactly 1.73m (5ft 8in) from the floor. This height is the same whether you play steel-tip or soft-tip, because it was set to align with the average adult eye line and throwing posture. The measurement is taken to the centre of the bullseye, not the top or bottom edge of the board.
The 1.73m bullseye height is the single fixed point of any setup, so measure it first and build everything else from it. Stand a tape measure flat against the wall and mark 1.73m, then position the bullseye centre at that mark. Because the standard 25.4mm (1in) thick bristle board is itself fixed, the only variable you control here is where the mounting bracket sits behind it.
How Far Should You Stand From a Dartboard?
You should stand 2.37m (7ft 9.25in) from the board face for steel-tip darts, or 2.44m (8ft) for soft-tip darts. The distance is measured horizontally from the front face of the board to the front edge of the oche, the line you cannot cross when throwing. The 7cm gap between the two formats exists because soft-tip electronic boards score slightly differently and the format settled on a round 8ft figure.
The throw distance is measured from the board face along the floor, not from the wall, which is the most common point of error in a setup. A bristle board on a bracket sits a few centimetres proud of the wall, so measuring from the wall pushes the oche too far back. Drop a plumb line or hold a straight edge down from the board face to find the true floor start point, then run the tape from there.
Steel vs soft at a glance: steel-tip throws from 2.37m, soft-tip from 2.44m, a 7cm difference. Both formats share the identical 1.73m bullseye height. If you play both, only your floor line moves. For the full format comparison, see our steel-tip vs soft-tip darts guide.
Why Should You Check the Diagonal Measurement?
You should check the diagonal because it verifies your height and distance together in a single measurement, catching errors that horizontal and vertical checks miss on their own. For a steel-tip setup the diagonal from the bullseye centre to the front of the oche is 2.93m (9ft 7.375in); for soft-tip it is 2.99m (9ft 9.75in). If the diagonal is wrong while your other two numbers look right, the board is hung at the wrong height or the floor is uneven.
The diagonal works because it forms the hypotenuse of a right triangle whose other two sides are the 1.73m height and the floor distance. Have one person hold the tape at the bullseye centre and run it down to the front edge of the oche. Players and referees treat the diagonal as the truest single indicator of a regulation setup, which is why it is the standard final check before play.
How Do You Hang a Dartboard Step by Step?
Hanging a dartboard correctly is a five-step sequence: fix the bracket, set the height, orient the 20, run the throw distance, and confirm with the diagonal. Following the steps in order means each measurement builds on the last, so a single check at the end confirms the whole setup. Use a spirit level at the bracket stage to keep the board from tilting.
- Fix the mounting bracket to a solid point. Position the bracket so the board's rear screw will rest at 1.73m. On drywall, always use wall anchors, because a bristle board and bracket weigh roughly 4.5 to 5.5kg (10 to 12 lb) and the vibration of darts works a bare screw loose over time.
- Set the bullseye to 1.73m. Hang the board, then measure floor to bullseye centre and adjust until it reads exactly 1.73m (5ft 8in).
- Rotate the 20 segment to the top. The 20 bed sits at twelve o'clock and is always a black (dark) segment. If a coloured segment is at the top, the board is rotated wrong. Rotating the board periodically also spreads wear evenly across the surface.
- Mark the oche on the floor. Measure 2.37m (steel-tip) or 2.44m (soft-tip) from the board face along the floor and mark the front edge of the throw line with tape or a dart mat.
- Confirm with the diagonal. Measure bullseye to front of oche: 2.93m for steel-tip or 2.99m for soft-tip. If it matches, the setup is regulation.
What Are the Most Important Setup Details Beyond the Numbers?
Beyond the core measurements, three details decide whether a setup is genuinely playable: the board sitting flush, even lighting, and wall protection. Each one affects either scoring accuracy or the lifespan of your wall and darts, and each is easy to get wrong on a first install.
1. Mount the board flush, never tilted
A dartboard must sit flush and vertical against the wall, not leaning forward. A forward tilt changes the effective target area presented to the thrower and increases bounce-outs, because darts strike the face at a shallower angle. Check verticality with a spirit level held against the board face after the final tightening, since brackets can settle as the screw is torqued.
2. Light the board evenly to remove shadows
Even lighting removes the shadows that cost you scoring accuracy, so the whole board face should be lit with no dark patches. A ring-shaped LED that mounts around or above the board is the most reliable solution, because a single overhead room light casts the player's own shadow across the lower segments as they step to the oche. Players consistently report tighter grouping under dedicated board lighting than under ambient room light alone.
3. Protect the wall with a surround or backboard
A surround or backboard catches the darts that miss the board, protecting both your wall and your dart points. Stray darts that hit bare plaster chip the wall and blunt or bend steel points, which then deflect on later throws. A foam surround ring or a backboard panel sized larger than the board absorbs these misses, and it also dampens the noise of darts striking the wall.
Expert Tips for a Setup That Lasts
Always measure the throw distance from the board face, not the wall. This is the error we see most often: a bristle board sits several centimetres proud of the wall, so a tape run from the wall places the oche too far back and quietly makes every throw harder than regulation. Drop a vertical line from the board face to the floor first, then measure the 2.37m or 2.44m from that point.
Trust the diagonal over your eyes when something feels off. If your horizontal distance reads correct but the board feels high or low, re-measure the diagonal rather than nudging the board by feel. A diagonal that does not match 2.93m (steel-tip) or 2.99m (soft-tip) tells you the height is off or the floor slopes, which a flat tape measure on an uneven floor will never reveal.
Rotate a bristle board every few weeks to even out wear. The 20, 19, and treble beds take the heaviest traffic, so periodic rotation spreads the wear and extends board life, but always re-confirm the 20 is back at twelve o'clock and the height is still 1.73m afterwards. A board that has slipped on its bracket during rotation is a common cause of a setup quietly drifting out of regulation.
Once your board is hung at 1.73m and your oche is marked, the only thing left is the darts in your hand. Answer a few quick questions and the Finder matches darts to your throw.
Find Your Perfect Dart →New to darts? Pair this with our dart setup guide for choosing the barrel, shaft, flight, and tip that go on the board you just hung.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should a dartboard bullseye be from the floor?
A dartboard bullseye should be 1.73m (5ft 8in) from the floor, measured to the centre of the bullseye. This height is set by WDF and PDC regulations and is identical for steel-tip and soft-tip boards. The measurement is taken to the bull centre, not to the top or bottom edge of the board.
What is the throwing distance for steel-tip versus soft-tip darts?
The throwing distance is 2.37m (7ft 9.25in) for steel-tip darts and 2.44m (8ft) for soft-tip darts, a difference of 7cm. Both are measured horizontally from the front face of the board to the front edge of the oche, never from the wall. The bullseye height stays 1.73m for both formats.
What is the diagonal measurement of a dartboard setup?
The diagonal from the bullseye centre to the front of the oche is 2.93m (9ft 7.375in) for a steel-tip setup and 2.99m (9ft 9.75in) for soft-tip. The diagonal is a double-check: if your height and horizontal distance are both correct, the diagonal will match. A mismatch means the board height is wrong or the floor is uneven.
What is the most common dartboard setup mistake?
The most common mistake is measuring the throw distance from the wall instead of the board face. A bristle board sits several centimetres proud of the wall, so measuring from the wall pushes the 2.37m or 2.44m oche too far back. The second most common mistake is mounting the board tilted forward, which increases bounce-outs.
Is the dartboard height the same for soft-tip and steel-tip?
Yes, the bullseye height is 1.73m (5ft 8in) for both soft-tip and steel-tip boards. Only the throwing distance differs: 2.37m for steel-tip and 2.44m for soft-tip. If you switch between formats on the same board, you move only the floor line, never the board itself.