If you've just bought a dartboard and you're figuring out how high to hang it, you're in the right place. How high should a dartboard be? The official measurement is 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the centre of the bullseye, which works out to 1.73 metres. That measurement is consistent across all the main governing bodies including the PDC and BDO, whether you're playing at home, in a pub, or at a club.
Getting the height right from the start means every game you play at home translates directly to playing anywhere else. You won't need to adjust your throw when you step up to a pub board. It also just looks and feels right when everything is correctly positioned.
Floor to Centre of Bullseye (Steel Tip & Soft Tip)
1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Throwing Distance - Steel Tip (Front of Board to Oche)
2.37 m (7 ft 9¼ in)
Throwing Distance - Soft Tip (Front of Board to Oche)
2.44 m (8 ft 0 in)
Diagonal Distance - Bullseye to Back of Oche (Cross-check)
2.93 m (9 ft 7½ in)
Is dartboard height measured from the floor or from the bullseye?
The official height measurement is taken from the floor to the centre of the bullseye, not the top or bottom of the dartboard. So when you're marking the wall, measure 1.73 metres (5 feet 8 inches) up from the floor and that's where the centre of your bullseye needs to sit. Most dartboards are around 45cm in diameter, so the top of the board will sit roughly 22cm above your mark and the bottom 22cm below it. If you're measuring on carpet, measure from the base of the skirting board, not the carpet surface.
How to Hang Your Dartboard at the Right Height
You don't need specialist tools. A tape measure, pencil, and spirit level will do the job. Here's how to do it:
- Measure 1.73 metres up from the floor and make a light pencil mark on the wall. That's where the centre of the bullseye goes.
- Most dartboards hang on a single bracket or hook at the back. Position the board so the bullseye aligns with your mark.
- Check with a spirit level once it's up. The number 20 should sit centrally at the top of the board.
- Measure your oche at 2.37 metres from the front face of the board for steel tip darts. Measure from the face of the board, not the wall, because the board's depth and any surround will add to the distance from the wall.
How far should you stand from a dartboard?
The standard throwing distance for steel tip darts is 2.37 metres (7 feet 9 and a quarter inches) from the front face of the dartboard to the back of the oche. For soft tip darts, it's 2.44 metres (8 feet). The oche is the line you stand behind, not on, so your feet should be behind the line when you throw. Always measure from the face of the board, not from the wall, this matters if you're using a surround or cabinet that adds depth to the setup.
The Diagonal Measurement: A Useful Shortcut
There's a diagonal measurement that works as a handy cross-check. The distance from the centre of the bullseye to the back of the oche should be 2.93 metres (9 feet 7.5 inches). If you get this diagonal right, the height and throwing distance will both be correct automatically. It's particularly useful in tight spaces or where the wall has features like skirting boards that make the standard measurements awkward to take.
Is the height different for children or wheelchair users?
The standard measurements are the same for adults and junior players in competitive settings. For casual home play with younger children, there's no rule against lowering the board while they're learning. For wheelchair players, the BDO recommends a reduced bullseye height of 1.37 metres (4 feet 6 inches) from the floor, with the throwing distance remaining the same at 2.37 metres. Wheelchair-specific setups may also adjust the oche position to accommodate chair clearance.
For home setups, the most practical approach is to mount the board at the standard height and adjust the throwing distance for younger players until they're ready to play from the full oche.
Does it matter what surface I mount the dartboard on?
Yes, it does. A dartboard needs to be fixed to a solid surface that can take repeated vibration from darts landing. Standard plasterboard on its own isn't really sufficient, particularly for heavy steel-tip darts. Try to screw into a wall stud, or use a solid backing board if studs aren't in the right position. For brick or concrete walls, a standard masonry anchor will hold the bracket securely. Some dartboard cabinet systems include a backing board as part of the design for exactly this reason
Protecting Your Wall Once the Board Is Up
Once your dartboard is hanging at the right height and distance, it's worth thinking about wall protection. Misdirected darts on a wall quickly make a mess, especially when you're still settling into a new board. A dartboard surround fits around the board and catches stray darts, protecting both the wall and the darts themselves. Dartboard cabinets are another solid option for a cleaner look, storing your darts out of the way when they're not in use.
If you're setting up a proper home setup, the accessories range has everything worth having, surrounds, oche mats, chalk scoreboards, and more. Getting it all right from day one is much easier than trying to fix it later.
Ready to get it right? Shop dartboards at Tommy’s Darts, or explore our blog for more guides, tips, and setup advice.