How many numbers are on a dartboard?

May 12, 202311 min read

A standard dartboard has 20 numbered segments, labelled 1 to 20. Those numbers sit around the outside of the board, but the board contains many more scoring areas because each number has single, double and treble sections, plus the single bull worth 25 and the bullseye worth 50.

Last reviewed: 24 August 2026. This guide explains how many numbers are on a dartboard, how those numbers turn into scoring beds, why the order looks strange, and what beginners should learn from the layout.

Infographic explaining the 20 dartboard numbers and the singles doubles trebles and bull scoring areas — The board has 20 visible numbers, but the scoring system is built from singles, doubles, trebles and two bull areas.

The direct answer

There are 20 different numbers on a standard dartboard: 1 through 20. The number at the top is 20, and the rest are arranged around the board in a deliberately uneven order rather than simple clockwise sequence.

That answer is only the starting point. A dartboard is not just a numbered clock face. Each number has different scoring beds: large single areas, a narrow treble ring and an outer double ring. The centre adds the single bull and bullseye.

Why the board has more scoring areas than numbers

Each of the 20 numbered segments has several ways to score. A dart in a single area scores the face value of the number. A dart in the treble ring scores three times the number. A dart in the double ring scores twice the number.

That means the visible number ring is only the label system. The real scoring surface is more detailed. There are 20 double beds, 20 treble beds, single areas for each number and two central bull areas. This is why darts can be simple to understand but still tactically deep.

Why people mention 82 scoring beds

You will sometimes hear people say a dartboard has 82 scoring beds. That count treats each numbered segment as having four single wedges across the inner and outer single areas, plus 20 trebles, 20 doubles, the single bull and the bullseye. It is a useful way to understand why 20 numbers can create a much richer board.

For everyday scoring, you do not need to count every bed separately. You need to understand the principle: the number tells you the base value, and the ring tells you whether that value is single, double or treble.

The number order

The standard order around the board, starting at the top and moving clockwise, is 20, 1, 18, 4, 13, 6, 10, 15, 2, 17, 3, 19, 7, 16, 8, 11, 14, 9, 12 and 5.

That order looks odd because high and low numbers are deliberately mixed. The layout punishes inaccuracy. A player aiming at treble 20 can drift into 1 or 5. A player aiming at 19 can drift into 3 or 7. The board rewards precision rather than approximate direction.

Why 20 sits at the top

The 20 segment is the highest single number and is placed at the top of the board. In most scoring formats, treble 20 is the main power-scoring target because it is worth 60. Three treble 20s create a 180, the highest standard three-dart score.

This top position affects how players practise. Many beginners spend too much time throwing only at 20. It is an important target, but good players also learn 19s, doubles, bull routes and sensible cover shots.

Singles, doubles and trebles

A single 20 scores 20. Double 20 scores 40. Treble 20 scores 60. The same logic applies to every numbered segment. This multiplication system is why the board can create so many different scoring outcomes from only 20 visible numbers.

Doubles are also crucial because standard 501 must finish on a double. A player can score heavily all leg and still lose if they cannot hit the final double. The number ring therefore matters for both scoring and finishing.

What the bull areas score

The outer bull, often called the single bull, scores 25. The inner bullseye scores 50. The bullseye also counts as a double for finishing in standard double-out formats, which is why 50 can be used to win a leg when the remaining score allows it.

The bull is not one of the 20 numbers. It is a central scoring area. That distinction helps beginners understand why “20 numbers” and “more scoring beds” are both true.

Why doubles make the numbers more important

In 501, the leg normally has to end on a double. That means the outside ring matters as much as the high scoring trebles. Double 16, double 20, double 10, double 8 and double 12 are common finishing targets because they connect to useful checkout routes.

This is where board knowledge starts to become practical. If you know the number layout, you can move around the doubles calmly instead of searching the board while under pressure.

How the numbers affect checkout routes

Checkout routes are built around where numbers sit and how they divide. Players often prefer routes that leave a favourite double or an even number that can be split cleanly after a miss. That is why double 16 is popular: if you miss inside, 16 leaves double 8, then double 4, then double 2.

The board layout also affects recovery. If you are aiming at a double near a low neighbour, a miss can leave an awkward score. Good players do not only know the target they want; they know what the likely misses will leave.

Is every dartboard numbered the same?

Standard steel-tip dartboards use the same 1 to 20 number order. Training boards and novelty boards may look different, but competition-style bristle boards follow the familiar arrangement. If you are practising for normal darts, use a standard board.

A quality dartboard with clear wires and readable numbers makes scoring easier to learn. If the number ring is damaged, loose or hard to read, even simple scoring becomes more frustrating than it needs to be.

The number ring is separate for a reason

On many bristle boards, the number ring can be removed or repositioned. That helps players rotate the board to spread wear while keeping the same number order visible. The board body moves; the numbers are reset so 20 returns to the top.

This matters because the 20 bed wears quickly if you practise normally. A movable number ring helps the board last longer and keeps scoring beds healthier.

How beginners should use the numbers

Beginners should learn the board as a map, not a list. Start by knowing where 20, 19, 18, 17, 16 and the main doubles are. Then learn what sits next to each major target, because misses are easier to score quickly when you understand the neighbours.

For example, if you aim at 20 and hit 1, the dart has drifted right. If you hit 5, it has drifted left. That feedback helps you diagnose aim, release and alignment.

Why the layout improves practice

The mixed number order turns every practice visit into feedback. Good darts are rewarded. Loose darts can be punished by low neighbouring scores. This is one reason darts is mentally sharper than it first appears.

Practice games such as round the clock, doubles around the board and cricket-style target routines all depend on understanding the number layout. The more quickly you recognise the board, the faster scoring and route planning become.

Three drills to learn the numbers

First, play round the clock in singles: hit 1, then 2, then 3, and keep moving until 20. This teaches location. Second, play doubles around the board at a slower pace. This teaches finishing targets. Third, call out every miss before retrieving darts, because naming the neighbouring number builds board awareness.

Do not rush this stage. Good board recognition makes scoring faster, checkouts calmer and practice more honest. A player who knows the board wastes less mental energy during a leg.

How to count scores faster

Fast scoring starts with recognising the segment first, then the ring. If the dart is in the big wedge, it is a single. If it is in the narrow inner ring, it is treble. If it is in the outer ring, it is double. Say the number and multiplier together: treble 18, double 12, single 7.

This habit reduces mistakes because you are not trying to add random marks on the board. You are reading a structured grid. Beginners often stare at where the dart landed; experienced scorers identify the ring and number almost immediately.

Why the board is not arranged like a clock

If the board ran 1 to 20 in order, misses would be less punishing. A dart near 20 might still land in another high-value area. The standard layout creates contrast instead. High numbers often sit next to low numbers, so accuracy matters.

This is one reason the board has lasted as a competitive design. It creates pressure without needing complicated rules. A player who groups tightly scores well. A player who throws roughly toward the right area can be punished quickly.

Setup and equipment

Use a clear board, good light and a correct throw line. A dartboard surround protects the wall while beginners learn the outer numbers. A dartboard stand can create a measured setup without drilling.

Choose comfortable darts or complete dart sets, then use darts accessories for spare flights, stems, mats and setup tools. A clean setup makes the board easier to read and the scoring easier to trust.

Common mistakes

Counting only scoring areas: the board has 20 numbers, plus bull areas and multiplier beds.
Thinking the order is random: the mixed layout punishes inaccurate darts.
Ignoring doubles: doubles are not just extra scoring areas; they decide legs.
Practising only 20: strong players need cover targets and doubles as well.
Using a worn board: damaged numbers or wires make learning harder.

Visual guide: how to apply this at the board

A practical decision map for applying the how many numbers are on a dartboard answer at a real board.

Use this matrix to turn the how many numbers are on a dartboard question into the right practice, scoring or setup decision.

Sources used

PDC rules of darts for standard scoring context.
PDC Europe rules for dartboard segments, bull values and scoring basics.
Red Dragon darts rules for beginner scoring explanations.
CITS sports dimensions guide for darts for standard board context.
Winmau dartboard setup instructions for standard board setup context.

Bottom line

A dartboard has 20 different numbers, from 1 to 20. The reason it feels more complex is that each number has single, double and treble scoring beds, and the centre adds 25 and 50-point bull areas. Learn the numbers first, then learn what each ring does.