How Far to Stand from Dartboard? (Horizontal and Diagonal)

You need to stand at a safe distance from the dartboard. It’s because bounce-outs, especially when you use a steel-tip dart, can be quite dangerous.

Additionally, keeping a specific distance between you and the dartboard by following World Darts Federation (WDF) rules help to get you ready for standard competitions. To enhance your practice sessions and gameplay, consider investing in the best dartboard available that meets your preferences and skill level.

If you play the dartboard and see that you can not throw darts properly in the bullseye. You might not be standing at the right distance for aiming and throwing darts on the board. No need to be worried.

This article is to help you learn how much distance from the dartboard is ideal to stand for throwing darts. It includes both diagonal and horizontal distances from the steel and soft-tip dartboards. Dartboard height and throwing line distance for wheelchair players are added too. Let’s know in detail.

Standing Distance from the Dartboard

When playing with steel or plastic darts, it is best to throw them at a distance of about 7 to 8 feet from the board. But if you play from a specific distance every time, you will do much better in the game, and your skills will enhance.

Before you set up the board in the room, you need to ensure that the place where you will set up the board is wide enough for your standing to play. If you play darts without maintaining a certain distance as per the WDF rules, you won’t get comfortable with the standard distance, and it can have a bad effect on your game.

Throw-line Distance from the Dartboard

When you play with steel darts, you must stand at a distance of 7 feet 9 ¼ inches (or 2.37 meters) from the front of the dartboard according to official rules. And to play with soft tip darts, you have to stay 8 feet (or 2.4384 meters) away from the dartboard’s front. It’s the horizontal distance from the front of the dartboard to the oche.

Note that most boards are 1.5 inches or 38.1 millimeters thick. So, you need to measure from the board’s front, not from the wall behind. Remember to mark where you will stand. The marked place is called Oche. It’s also known as the toe line or throw line. Both your feet must stay behind it when you throw the darts. If you cross the line during the game when you go to play officially, it will be considered illegal.

Bars and competitive games usually use a thin piece of wood to mark the Oche. You can use duct tape to mark the line or a thin piece of wood. There are also marked dart mats available in the market that protects the floor from darts and also helps you stand at the correct distance.

Make sure that the sharp darts you throw do not harm anything else in the house or other family members. So, choose a well-spaced place where family members usually don’t need to go. And nothing should be breakable between 3 to 4 feet on either side of the board. You can buy or build a backboard to protect the wall behind. A dartboard cabinet  can also be a better option to prevent damage and protect the dartboard.

Diagonal Distance from the Bullseye to Oche

You can determine the exact distance by forming a diagonal line and measuring the distance from Bullseye to Oche. For steel tip dartboards, the distance will be 9 feet 7 ⅜ inches (or 2.93 meters). It is 9 feet 9 ½ inches (2.98 meters) for soft-tip darts.

Ask a friend to hold the measuring tape at the center of the bullseye. Or you can use Pro line measuring tape. It lets you measure by sticking the tape at the center of the bullseye with a dart. This way, you won’t require another person to set it up. Additionally, the measurements will be more precise as the tape moves less.

Remember that the dartboard height also needs to be correct for measuring this distance right. Let’s know about the correct height for it.

Dartboard height measurements

The diagonal distance from the dartboard to the oche will only be right when you set up the dartboard correctly. This measurement usually starts from the bullseye of the board. According to the official rules, the bullseye should be 5 feet 8 inches (or 1.73 meters) from the ground to the center of the board or bullseye. Keep 20 at the top. This measurement applies to steel and plastic-tipped darts.

Dartboard height and throwing distance for wheelchair player

For players on wheelchairs, the distance from the dartboard’s front to the toe line will be the same. That is 7 feet 9 ¼ inches (or 2.37 meters) for steel-tip darts. 

But the height of the dartboard will be lesser to make it fair and accessible. The height should be 4 feet 6 inches( 1.37 meters) from the ground to the center of the board or the bullseye. The diagonal distance from the bullseye to the throw line or oche should be 9 feet (2.74 meters).

Room Needed for Dartboard

Ideally, 5 feet wide and 11 feet long space is recommended for setting up a dartboard. There shouldn’t be any window inside this space as the darts might bounce out of the window and hurt someone.

Related Question

Summing it up 

How far you need to stand from the dartboard depends on where you are measuring from and what type of dartboard you are playing with. It’s different for players on wheelchairs as well to make the game fair. For standing at the right distance, it’s crucial to set up the dartboard properly. Keep enough space around the board to throw the dart comfortably and enjoy the game.

If you’re new to darts, here are some essential guides to help you get started:

1. How to Play Darts for Beginners: Learn the basic rules and gameplay of darts.
2. How to Hold a Dart: Master the proper grip for better control and accuracy.
3. How to Aim Darts: Improve your aiming skills with techniques and tips.
4. How to Throw Darts: Refine your throwing technique for consistent and accurate throws.

Explore these guides to enhance your dart-playing skills and enjoy the game!