The Perfect Throwing Distance From a Dart Board Explained

When playing darts, one of the most crucial but often overlooked setup details is the throwing distance the space between the dartboard and where a player throws from.

This distance is governed by standard rules in competitive play, and adhering to it ensures fairness, consistency, and the right challenge.

What Is the Throwing Line (the Oche)?

• The “throwing line” is commonly referred to as the oche (pronounced “ockey”).

• Players must stand behind this line while throwing; stepping over it may invalidate a throw according to official rules.

• In some setups, the oche isn’t just a line painted on the floor it could be a raised bar or mat, making it clearer and more enforceable.

What’s the Standard Throwing Distance?

Based on international dart regulations (such as those from the World Darts Federation):

1. Horizontal Distance (Steel-Tip Darts):

   • The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9.25 inches, which is approximately 2.37 meters from the face of the dartboard to the oche.

   • This is measured horizontally, so make sure you're not mistakenly measuring from the wall or cabinet it’s from the board's face.

2. Diagonal Distance:

   • There is also a regulated diagonal measurement: 9 feet 7.5 inches (~2.93 meters) from the center of the bullseye to the back of the oche.

   • This diagonal measurement is especially useful if the floor or the wall isn’t level or perfectly aligned.

3. Soft-Tip / Electronic Dartboards:

   • For soft-tip darts (common in electronic boards), the throwing line is slightly farther: 8 feet (approx 2.44 m) from the face of the board.

   • The longer distance accounts for differences in board technology and dart weight.

Height Matters Too: Board Setup

To set up a dartboard correctly, you need the right height in addition to the right distance:

• The center of the bullseye should be 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) from the floor.

• This height ensures a standard playing experience and helps maintain consistency across different playing environments.

How to Measure and Mark the Throwing Distance Correctly

1. Measure from the Board Face:

   • Use a measuring tape to measure horizontally from the front surface of the board (not the wall) to where your oche will be.

   • If your dartboard is mounted inside a cabinet or has some thickness, account for that in your measurement.

2. Mark the Oche:

   • Use tape, a raised bar, or an oche mat to clearly mark the throwing line.

   • A raised oche has the added benefit of preventing players from accidentally crossing the line.

3. Check the Diagonal (Optional):

   • For more accuracy, especially if your floor or wall is uneven, measure the diagonal distance from the bullseye to the oche.

   • This helps ensure that both height and distance are aligned to regulation.

4. Verify Foot Placement Rules:

   • According to official rules, during play, no part of a player's feet should cross the oche.

   • If you're using a raised oche, make sure you don’t step on it. WCMDA

Why the Correct Throwing Distance Matters

• Fairness & Standardisation: Using the regulated distance makes sure both casual and competitive players play under the same conditions.

• Skill Development: Practicing at the correct distance helps improve accuracy, consistency, and muscle memory.

• Safety: Proper marking helps avoid foul throws and reduces risk of players stepping too close and hurting themselves or damaging surroundings.

• Better Game Experience: With the right setup, throws feel natural, and gameplay feels professional not like a casual setup in someone’s room.

Tips for Home or Casual Setups

• If you’re short on space, don’t stress too much you can adjust slightly, but try to get as close to regulation as possible for better practice.

• Use an oche mat or tape: it’s cheap, easy to install, and very effective.

• If you frequently move your dartboard (e.g. portable setup), consider using a measuring tool or plumb line to re-measure every time.

• Use a wall protector or dartboard surround so stray darts don’t damage your wall.

• Make sure your playing area is well lit good lighting reduces shadows and improves visibility.

Conclusion

The throwing distance from a dart board is not just a trivial detail it’s a foundational part of how darts is played professionally and fairly.

For steel-tip darts, the standard is 2.37 meters (7 ft 9¼ in) from the board face to the oche, and for soft-tip darts, it's 2.44 meters (8 ft).

Along with this, correct height placement of the bullseye (1.73 m from the floor) and precise markings for the oche make sure that your setup is both regulation-compliant and conducive to good play.

If you're setting up a dartboard at home or in a club, taking time to measure accurately can make a big difference in how enjoyable and serious your game feels.