SmartDartDartboard measurements: height, distance and setup
1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) high, 2.37 m (7 ft 9¼ in) back — and why the numbers sit in that odd order.
In short
The centre of the board (bullseye) hangs 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) above the floor. The throwing line sits 2.37 m (7 ft 9¼ in) away horizontally, measured from the face of the board. To check both at once, measure the diagonal from the bullseye to the throwing line: it is 2.93 m (9 ft 7⅜ in).
Step-by-step setup
Hang the board so the centre of the bullseye is exactly 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) above the floor you throw from.
The 20 goes at the top. Turn the board so the narrow black-and-white segment of the 20 sits vertically above the centre.
Place the throwing line (oche) 2.37 m (7 ft 9¼ in) horizontally in front of the board face — measured from the front of the board, not from the wall.
Check with the diagonal: from the bullseye to the throwing line it is 2.93 m (9 ft 7⅜ in). If that matches, height and distance agree with each other.
Light the board so the darts cast no shadow on it — from the side or with a ring light, never from behind over your shoulder.
Common house rules
Soft-tip (electronic) darts uses slightly different figures: the bullseye still sits at 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in), but the distance is 2.44 m (8 ft). Wheelchair darts uses adapted setups — the exact figures come from your federation, so check there before you mount anything permanently. Pub setups often deviate — if you are preparing for a tournament, measure precisely at home.
Where it usually goes wrong
The most common error is measuring the distance from the wall instead of the board face — the board itself is a good 4 cm deep. The second is measuring the height to the top edge of the board rather than the centre of the bullseye. When in doubt, check the 2.93 m (9 ft 7⅜ in) diagonal.
Playable in SmartDart?
The measurements apply whatever you score with — SmartDart counts along on any board, steel or soft tip. For a tournament night the projector view helps: the schedule and live standings hang on the wall next to the board.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a dartboard hang?
The centre of the bullseye sits 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) above the floor. That applies to steel and soft tip alike; only wheelchair darts drops it to 1.37 m (4 ft 6 in).
How far do you stand from the dartboard?
For steel tip, 2.37 m (7 ft 9¼ in) measured horizontally from the face of the board to the throwing line. For soft tip it is 2.44 m (8 ft). The diagonal from the bullseye to the line is 2.93 m (9 ft 7⅜ in) for steel tip.
What order are the numbers in on a dartboard?
Clockwise from the 20: 20, 1, 18, 4, 13, 6, 10, 15, 2, 17, 3, 19, 7, 16, 8, 11, 14, 9, 12, 5. The layout deliberately places low numbers next to high ones, so a narrow miss is punished.
What else SmartDart can do
Beyond Quick Match and Training, SmartDart is a complete darts platform for pubs, clubs and leagues.