Setting up a dartboard correctly is the first step toward playing the game as it is meant to be played. Whether you prefer steel tip or soft tip darts, the distance from the board to the throwing line, known as the oche, follows strict standards defined by the World Darts Federation (WDF), the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), and other governing bodies. A small error in measurement can change the feel of the game and, in competitive settings, lead to disputes.
The official rules specify two key numbers: the bullseye height and the horizontal throwing distance. Both are measured from specific points on the board and the floor. Getting these numbers right ensures a consistent, fair experience for every player, whether you are practicing in your garage or stepping up to a tournament stage.
This guide covers the exact measurements for steel tip and soft tip dartboards, explains how to measure them correctly, and clears up common misconceptions that can throw off your setup.
What Is the Official Dart Board Distance from the Wall?
7 ft 9 ¼ in
8 ft 0 in
5 ft 8 in
9 ft 7.5 in
- The official steel tip throwing distance is 237 cm (7 ft 9 ¼ in) from the front face of the dartboard to the rear edge of the oche, as recognized by the WDF and PDC.
- Soft tip dartboards require an additional 7 cm of distance, bringing the total to 244 cm (8 ft), to account for the electronic sensor depth and face thickness.
- A common mistake in home setups is measuring from the wall rather than the board face, which introduces an error of 3 to 5 cm depending on board thickness.
- The diagonal measurement from the bullseye to the oche — 293 cm for steel tip and approximately 298 cm for soft tip — serves as a reliable secondary confirmation method.
- Bullseye height is identical for both disciplines: 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) from the floor to the center of the bullseye.
- All measurements must be taken with the board mounted securely and the floor level to ensure accuracy.
| Measurement | Steel Tip | Soft Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance (board face to oche) | 237 cm / 7′ 9.25″ | 244 cm / 8′ 0″ | Measure from front of board, not the wall |
| Bullseye height (center to floor) | 173 cm / 5′ 8″ | 173 cm / 5′ 8″ | Same for both disciplines |
| Diagonal (bullseye to oche) | 293 cm / 9′ 7.5″ | 298 cm / 9′ 9.3″ | Optional confirmation method |
| Horizontal offset (board center to oche center) | 0 cm (centered) | 0 cm (centered) | Must be perfectly perpendicular |
| Measurement reference point | Front face of board | Front face of board | Not the wall or bracket |
| Board protrusion adjustment | ~1.5 in from wall | ~1.5 in from wall | Wall mark is ~1.5 in further than oche distance |
What Is the Correct Dartboard Height and Distance for Steel Tip Darts?
For steel tip darts, the bullseye must be mounted at exactly 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) from the floor. This height is the same for all competitive play, regardless of the player’s height or the type of board used. The exact metric conversion is 1.7272 meters, though 1.73 meters is the standard rounded figure used internationally, according to Lakeside World Darts.
How to Hang a Dartboard at the Correct Height
Mount the board so that the center of the bullseye sits at the 173 cm mark. Use a level to ensure the board is perfectly horizontal. If the board is mounted on a bracket or wall mount, the bracket depth is already accounted for in the board’s total thickness, so the measurement should still be taken from the front face of the board.
Center of Bullseye Height from Floor
The bullseye height is one of the few measurements that remains identical across all major dart organizations. The WDF, PDC, and BDO all specify 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) from the floor to the center of the bullseye, as documented by Darts Daily and other authoritative sources. This applies to both steel tip and soft tip boards.
After setting the bullseye height and horizontal distance, measure the diagonal from the center of the bullseye to the front edge of the oche. For steel tip, this should be 293 cm (9 ft 7 ⅜ in). This method is especially useful on uneven floors or when a long tape measure is not available. The diagonal check is recommended by manufacturers and is documented in the Net World Sports buyer’s guide.
How Does Soft Tip Dart Board Distance Differ from Steel Tip?
Soft tip dartboards, also called electronic dartboards, require a longer throwing distance than steel tip boards. The standard soft tip oche distance is 244 cm (8 ft), measured from the front face of the board to the front edge of the throwing line. This is 7 cm longer than the steel tip distance of 237 cm.
What Is the Oche Distance for Soft Tip Darts?
The extra 7 cm accounts for the electronic sensor layer and the thicker face of soft tip boards. Major manufacturers such as Arachnid and Dartslive have adopted this standard, and it is enforced by the National Dart Association (NDA) in North America. Using the steel tip distance on a soft tip board can cause scoring errors and give a player an unfair advantage.
Is the Dart Board Distance the Same for Electronic Dartboards?
No. While the bullseye height remains the same (173 cm), the horizontal distance for electronic boards is 244 cm. Some older or non-standard boards may have slightly different depth, which affects the total distance from the wall. Always measure from the front face of the board, not the wall, as advised by Shot Darts.
Soft Tip Oche Distance in cm
The soft tip oche distance is 244 cm in metric units. For players who prefer imperial, that is exactly 8 feet. The diagonal measurement for soft tip is 298 cm (9 ft 9 ½ in), which provides a useful secondary check during setup.
How to Measure Dart Board Distance from the Oche to the Board
Measuring the distance correctly is more about knowing the reference points than about having a long tape measure. The throwing distance is measured from the front face of the dartboard (not the wall) to the front edge of the oche. This is the rule followed by all official tournaments, as confirmed by Maximilliano Game Room.
How to Measure Dart Board Distance
Start by mounting the board so the bullseye is at 173 cm. Then measure the horizontal distance from the front face of the board straight down to the floor. Mark that spot, and then measure from that mark along the floor to the oche point. The distance should be 237 cm for steel tip or 244 cm for soft tip.
What Is the Diagonal Distance from the Bullseye to the Oche?
The diagonal distance is a Pythagorean check. For steel tip, the diagonal from the bullseye to the oche is 293 cm (9 ft 7 ⅜ in). For soft tip, it is 298 cm (9 ft 9 ½ in). This method is useful when the floor is uneven or when it is difficult to measure horizontally. The Lakeside World Darts guide includes both the horizontal and diagonal measurements in their official setup instructions.
Measuring from Front of Dartboard to Throwing Line
To measure correctly, hold the tape measure at the front face of the board, let it drop to the floor, and then measure along the floor to the oche. If the board protrudes approximately 1.5 inches from the wall, the mark on the wall will be about 1.5 inches further than the oche distance. For example, for steel tip, the wall mark would be approximately 7 ft 10.75 in from the wall.
The diagonal measurement from the bullseye to the oche uses the hypotenuse of a right triangle formed by the bullseye height and the horizontal distance. This method automatically accounts for any floor slope or board tilt. It is a reliable backup that many professional players use to verify their setup before a match.
Three errors appear most often in home setups: measuring from the wall instead of the board face, forgetting to account for the board’s own depth (typically 3 to 5 cm), and failing to keep the oche line parallel to the board face. Each of these can shift the effective throwing distance by several centimeters.
How Has the Official Dart Board Distance Evolved Over Time?
- 1920s: Early darts standardization began in UK pubs, with the distance informally set between 7 ft 6 in and 8 ft.
- 1930s–1940s: The British Darts Organisation (BDO) formalized the steel tip distance at 7 ft 9.25 in (237 cm), a standard that remains in use today.
- 1970s: Soft tip darts gained popularity, and electronic dartboards required an adjusted distance to accommodate sensor depth.
- 1990s: The World Darts Federation (WDF) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) adopted unified steel tip rules, cementing the 237 cm distance.
- 2000s–2020s: Soft tip distance was standardized at 8 ft (244 cm) by major electronic board manufacturers, including Arachnid and Dartslive, as noted in the Dartshopper setup guide.
- 2024–2025: Continued discussion around measurement precision has led to the diagonal check gaining mainstream adoption as a recommended verification step.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Dart Board Measurements?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Steel tip distance of 237 cm (7 ft 9.25 in) is universally accepted by the WDF, PDC, and BDO. | Some older or non-standard boards may have slightly different depth, affecting the total distance from the wall. |
| Bullseye height of 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) is fixed for all competitive play. | Home setups may vary by 1 to 2 cm, and casual play does not require perfect regulation. |
| Soft tip distance of 244 cm (8 ft) is standard for most electronic dartboards. | The diagonal measurement method is recommended by some manufacturers but not enforced in all rulebooks. |
Why Does the 7 cm Difference Between Steel and Soft Tip Matter?
The 7 cm difference is not arbitrary. Soft tip boards have a thicker electronic face and a sensor layer that registers the impact of the dart. If a player uses the steel tip distance on a soft tip board, the darts may not register correctly, and the player gains an unfair advantage because they are closer to the board than regulation allows.
The diagonal check offers a practical solution for verifying the setup. Measuring from the bullseye to the oche gives a single number that accounts for both height and distance. It is especially useful when the floor is uneven or when the board is mounted on a bracket with depth variation, according to guidance from Net World Sports.
Common mistakes in home setups include measuring from the wall instead of the board face, not accounting for the board’s own depth, and forgetting to level the oche line parallel to the board face. Each of these errors shifts the effective distance and can affect the consistency of play.
Which Organizations Define the Official Dart Board Distance Rules?
The World Darts Federation (WDF) is the official governing body for darts rules worldwide and serves as the primary authority for all measurements. The WDF rulebook specifies the bullseye height at 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) and the steel tip throwing distance at 7 ft 9.25 in (237 cm), measured from the front face of the board to the rear edge of the oche.
— WDF Official Tournament Rules
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) uses the same measurements as the WDF for steel tip darts. Section 2 of the PDC rulebook covers the playing area and confirms that the oche must be placed at a minimum distance of 7 ft 9.25 in from the face of the dartboard.
— PDC Rulebook, Section 2: Playing Area
The National Dart Association (NDA) standardizes soft tip darts in North America and defines the throwing distance at 8 ft (244 cm) from the front face of the electronic dartboard to the front edge of the oche. This standard is adopted by major electronic board manufacturers.
— NDA Soft Tip Dart Rules
What Is the Correct Dart Board Distance for Your Setup?
For a standard home setup, use the steel tip distance of 237 cm (7 ft 9.25 in) if you play with steel tip darts, and the soft tip distance of 244 cm (8 ft) if you use an electronic board. The bullseye height is 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) for both. Always measure from the front face of the board, not the wall. For more details on the bullseye height and related measurements, see our guide on dartboard height and bullseye measurements. If you need help with the throwing line, the oche setup and throwing line rules section provides step-by-step instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use steel tip distance for soft tip darts?
No. Soft tip boards require an extra 7 cm (244 cm total) to account for the electronic sensor depth. Using steel tip distance may cause registration errors and is not regulation.
What if my room is too small for the official distance?
You can shorten the distance for casual play, but competitive matches require the full distance. Consider a shorter throw line for practice only.
Do I need a special oche line or can I use tape?
Tape is fine for casual play. Regulation requires a raised oche (1.5 in high) and a clearly marked throw line, but any visible line works for home use.
Is the height the same for children or wheelchair users?
Regulation height is 173 cm from floor to bullseye regardless of player height. Wheelchair users may adjust, but official tournaments maintain standard height.
How do I measure if the board is mounted on a bracket?
Measure from the front face of the dartboard (not the wall or bracket face). The bracket depth is already accounted for in the board’s total thickness.
What is the diagonal distance for soft tip darts?
The diagonal distance from the bullseye to the oche for soft tip darts is 298 cm (9 ft 9.5 in). This serves as a secondary check for the horizontal setup.
Can I use a soft tip board for steel tip darts?
No. Soft tip boards are designed for plastic-tipped darts and will be damaged by steel tip darts. Always use the correct type of dart for your board.
How often should I check my dartboard measurements?
Check the measurements whenever the board is moved or remounted. For permanent setups, an annual check is sufficient unless the board or bracket shifts.
What is the tolerance for measurement in official play?
Official tournaments generally require measurements to be accurate within 1 cm. Home setups allow more flexibility, but precise measurements improve practice consistency.
Where can I find the official WDF dartboard setup rules?
The WDF publishes its official tournament rules on its website at dartswdf.com/rules. The PDC and NDA also publish their rulebooks online for reference.
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Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at BritainNow.uk, running the daily news list and publishing schedule.