How to Hang a Dartboard: Height, Distance & Setup

Setting up a dartboard seems straightforward — hang it on the wall and start throwing. But getting the height and distance wrong can throw off your entire game. Whether you're mounting your first board or double-checking an existing setup, this guide covers everything you need to know to get it right.

Official Dartboard Measurements

The World Darts Federation (WDF) and Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) both use the same standard measurements. These are the numbers you need:

The bullseye height is measured from the floor to the center of the bullseye, not to the top or bottom of the board. This is the most common mistake people make during setup.

What You'll Need

Before you start, gather these items:

• Tape measure — at least 10 ft / 3 m long
• Pencil — for marking the wall
• Level — to make sure the board hangs straight
• Drill and screws — or a mounting bracket if your board came with one
• Wall anchor — if mounting into drywall rather than a stud

Most bristle dartboards come with a mounting bracket and a screw. If yours didn't, a single sturdy screw or nail driven into the wall at the correct height works fine.

Step-by-Step Mounting Guide

1. Choose Your Location

Pick a wall with enough clearance. You'll want at least 3 feet of open space on each side of the board and nothing fragile nearby. A board is about 18 inches in diameter, so account for that plus any errant throws.

Good locations:

• Garage or basement walls
• A dedicated game room wall
• Any solid interior wall with space behind the throwing line

Avoid mounting above furniture, near windows, or on thin partition walls that might not support the weight.

2. Mark the Bullseye Height

Measure 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) from the floor and make a small pencil mark on the wall. This is where the center of the bullseye will sit.

3. Mount the Bracket or Screw

If your board came with a mounting bracket, hold the bracket against the wall with the center hole aligned to your pencil mark. Use a level to make sure it's straight, then mark and drill the screw holes.

If you're using a single screw:

1. Drive the screw into the wall at your marked height, leaving about 1/4 inch sticking out
2. Hang the board by the bracket on the back

For drywall, always use a wall anchor. Dartboards weigh 10–12 lbs, and a screw in drywall alone can work loose over time from the vibration of darts hitting the board.

4. Check the Board Is Level

The number 20 should be at the top of the board, centered directly above the bullseye. Use your level across the top of the board to confirm it's not tilted. A crooked board affects how you aim at specific segments.

5. Set the Throwing Distance

Measure 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 m) from the face of the board (not the wall) along the floor. Mark this spot — it's your oche (throwing line).

6. Mark or Build Your Oche

You have several options for the throwing line:

• Tape — simplest option, use painter's tape or electrical tape across the floor
• Oche mat — a rubber mat with a raised edge, available from most dart suppliers
• Wooden strip — screw a thin piece of wood (at least 2 feet long) to the floor
• Toe line sticker — adhesive strips designed specifically for this purpose

The oche should be at least 2 feet wide. Your feet can touch the line but not cross it.

7. Verify with the Diagonal

Stretch your tape measure from the center of the bullseye down to the front edge of the oche. It should read 9 feet 7.5 inches (2.93 m). If it does, you're set. If not, adjust your oche position until the diagonal is correct.

Protecting Your Wall

Darts that miss the board will hit your wall. This is guaranteed, especially when you're starting out. Here are the best ways to protect the area:

• Dartboard surround — a foam ring that fits around the board, catching most stray darts. This is the most popular option and costs around $15–30.
• Cork board backing — mount a large cork sheet behind the board area for broader coverage.
• Dartboard cabinet — an enclosed wooden cabinet that frames the board and protects the wall. Looks great but costs more.
• DIY backboard — a piece of plywood or MDF mounted behind the board, painted or covered in felt.

A surround ring handles most missed throws, but if you're learning and throwing wide, a larger backboard gives extra peace of mind.

Lighting Tips

Good lighting makes a real difference in your accuracy and enjoyment. The board should be evenly lit without shadows across the segments.

• Dartboard light ring — clips around the board and illuminates the face evenly. This is the ideal solution.
• Overhead light — works if positioned directly above the board so your hand doesn't cast shadows.
• Avoid side lighting — it creates shadows on one half of the board, making some segments harder to see.

If you can clearly read every number on the board without squinting or shadows, your lighting is good enough.

Soft-Tip Board Differences

If you're setting up an electronic or soft-tip dartboard, the measurements are slightly different:

The height stays the same, but the throwing distance for soft-tip is about 3 inches farther back. Electronic boards also need a power outlet nearby, so plan your location accordingly.

Common Setup Mistakes

Measuring to the top of the board instead of the bullseye. The 5 ft 8 in measurement goes to the center of the bull, not the top edge or the mounting point.

Measuring distance from the wall. The throwing distance is measured from the board face. Since the board protrudes from the wall, measuring from the wall gives you a distance that's too short.

Forgetting floor thickness. If you're setting up in a room with thick carpet or a raised platform, measure the bullseye height from where your feet actually rest.

Skipping the level check. A board that's even slightly rotated changes where all the segments sit. The 20 should be dead center at the top.

Mounting without an anchor. Vibrations from darts loosen screws in drywall fast. Use a proper wall anchor or find a stud.

Quick Setup Checklist

Use this list to confirm everything is correct:

• Bullseye center is 5 ft 8 in from the floor
• 20 segment is centered at the top
• Board is level (not tilted)
• Throwing line is 7 ft 9.25 in from the board face
• Diagonal from bullseye to oche is 9 ft 7.5 in
• Wall protection is in place
• Lighting is even with no shadows
• Enough clearance on all sides

Once everything checks out, you're ready to throw. Fire up a game on Dartsy and put your new setup to work.