Baizewick guide
Dartboard height and oche distance
For steel-tip darts, the centre of the bullseye goes 1.73 m (5ft 8in) above the finished floor. The oche is 2.37 m (7ft 9¼in) from the face of the board, measured horizontally.
The standard steel-tip measurements
| Measurement | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Floor to centre of bullseye | 1.73 m | 5ft 8in |
| Board face to oche (horizontal) | 2.37 m | 7ft 9¼in |
| Bullseye to oche (diagonal check) | 2.93 m | 9ft 7½in |
These are the commonly specified figures for steel-tip darts. For league or competition play, check the current rules of the organisation you play under.
Soft-tip boards can use different throwing distances, so follow the board maker’s or league’s rules.
Our dartboard setup calculator works out the marks for your wall and floor. It includes the board’s standoff from the wall.
Measure height from the finished floor and distance from the face of the board, not the wall. Work out your own marks.
How to set it up, step by step
- Choose a wall with at least 3 m clear in front of it, away from doors and walkways.
- Mark 1.73 m up from the finished floor. The centre of the bullseye goes here, not the top of the board or the bracket.
- Fit the mounting bracket so the bullseye lands on your mark. The bracket usually sits behind the centre of the board, but check your board’s instructions.
- Hang the board with the 20 segment at the top (it’s usually dark-coloured) and check it is level.
- Measure 2.37 m along the floor from the face of the board. The board stands out from the wall, so measure from the board face, not the wall.
- Mark the oche at that point with a raised oche, tape or an oche mat.
- Check the 2.93 m diagonal from the bullseye to the back of the oche line. If it’s out, re-check the height and the floor distance.
Protect the wall and floor
A surround catches most near misses. On plaster or painted walls, a backboard covers a wider area.
A hard floor under the throwing area can blunt points and chip. Carpet wears quickly at the oche. An oche mat protects the floor and marks the line at the same time.
Light the board properly
Light from one side casts shadows across the segments. Fit a ring light around the board, or a light in front of and above it. Either gives even light, with no shadows from the darts themselves.
Safety around the throwing line
- Keep doors, walkways and seating out of the line between the oche and the board.
- Leave some clear space either side of the board for wild throws.
- Store darts out of reach of young children, and keep pets out of the room during play.