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Dartboard setup

How to Hang a Dartboard — Step-by-Step Setup Guide | Oche

Hang your dartboard level, rattle-free and at the regulation 1.73 m height, with the oche measured to 2.37 m — a step-by-step guide with the exact measurements.

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Hanging a dartboard is quick, but a board that’s a few centimetres off, tilted, or rattling on the wall will throw off every game played on it. Take ten minutes to do it properly and your board will play exactly like a regulation one.

You’ll need a tape measure, a spirit level, a pencil, a drill and the fixings that came with your board (most use a single centre bracket). Work through the steps below in order — the height comes first, the oche second, and a final diagonal measurement confirms both at once.

The two numbers that matter most are the 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) bullseye height and the 2.37 m (7 ft 9¼ in) oche distance for steel-tip — see the full breakdown in our height & distance guide. Once the board is up, fit a surround and good lighting and you’re ready to play.

How to set it up, step by step

  1. Pick the right wall

    Choose a solid wall with at least 2.4 m of clear floor in front of it and good light. Avoid plasterboard-only walls — fix into a stud or use heavy-duty wall plugs.

  2. Mark the centre height

    Measure 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) up from the floor and mark where the centre of the bullseye will sit. Use a spirit level so the mark is true.

  3. Fit the bracket

    Most boards hang on a centre bracket: screw it to the wall so that, once the board is on it, the bull lands on your 1.73 m mark.

  4. Hang and level the board

    Mount the board, then rotate it so the 20 segment is straight up and check it with a level. Tighten the fixing so the board sits flat and rattle-free.

  5. Measure the oche

    From the point on the floor directly below the board face, measure 2.37 m (7 ft 9¼ in) horizontally for steel-tip (2.44 m for soft) and mark the throwing line.

  6. Confirm with the diagonal

    Measure from the centre of the bull to the back of the oche — 2.93 m (9 ft 7½ in) confirms both the height and the distance are correct.

  7. Protect the wall

    Fit a dartboard surround or backboard around the board to catch stray darts and stop them marking the wall.

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Frequently asked questions

How high should a dartboard be hung?
The centre of the bullseye must be 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) from the floor, regardless of the height of the players. This is the regulation height for both steel-tip and soft-tip boards.
How do I stop my dartboard rattling or moving?
Make sure the centre bracket is screwed tightly into a solid fixing, and that the board sits flush against the wall or backboard. A small foam or cork pad behind the board removes any residual rattle and protects the wall.
Can I hang a dartboard on plasterboard?
Only with heavy-duty hollow-wall fixings, and ideally by mounting a backboard first that spans to a stud. Boards are heavy and take repeated impact, so a single plasterboard plug will eventually pull out.
Which way up does the dartboard go?
Rotate the board so the 20 segment (the large black wedge at the top) is vertical and centred. Bristle boards can be rotated periodically to even out wear, but always return the 20 to the top for play.

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