Dimensions for Darts

Players throw darts at a circular target divided into different scoring areas. Games are played by individuals, pairs or teams of any numbers. Players aim to reduce a starting number exactly to zero.

Related topics: darts

The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.

Dart board

Dart boards are usually made of sisal fibres or boar bristles and are marked 1−20 in a clockwise pattern. A regulation board is 451mm in diameter and is divided into 22 sections. Each section is lined with thin metal wire. The numbers indicating the various scoring sections of the board are normally made of wire. The inner ring is called the ‘bull’.

The overall dimensions are as follows: Dart board and scoring system

double and treble ring inside measurement ─ 8mm
bull inside diameter ─ 12.7mm
outer bull inside diameter ─ 31mm
centre bull to inside edge of treble wire ─ 105mm
centre bull to outside edge double wire ─ 168mm

Playing area

The dart board is fixed on a wall or mobile stand, allowing for a minimum of 3m between boards measured bull to bull. The dart board is hung so that the perpendicular height from the centre of the bull to the floor is 1.73m, eye-level for a six foot man. The dartboard is fixed such that the ‘20’ segment is coloured black and at the top of the dartboard.

The ochre

The ochre is the line behind which the throwing player stands. It is 25mm high and 915mm long and placed in a position where the minimum throwing distance measured from the rear of the raised ochre is 2.37m along the floor to a plumb line at the face of the dartboard. The diagonal distance from the bull centre to the rear of the raised ochre at floor level is 2.93m.
The encroachment line is a tape line located 1.5m behind the ochre. This is where a player must stand as his/her opponent is playing a shot.

Lighting

All floor dart boards are lit by a suitably positioned light fitting to provide at least 100 watts of light intensity. Alternatively, 20 watts of fluorescent lighting mounted directly above and in front of the dart board at a distance not exceeding 1m from the bullseye is adequate. All lights must be fitted with screens that divert all light away from the player’s eyes when standing at the ochre.