In darts, the outer bullseye is worth 25 points and the inner bullseye is worth 50 points. When players simply say "the bull" or "bullseye", they often mean the inner bull, but the centre of the board is actually two separate scoring areas.
Last reviewed: 24 August 2026. This guide explains bullseye scoring for standard steel-tip darts, including 501, checkouts and beginner mistakes.
The direct answer
The outer bull scores 25. The inner bull scores 50. The inner bull is also treated as double 25, which means it can be used to win a standard double-out leg if a player has 50 remaining.
The common confusion comes from the word bullseye. Some people use bullseye to mean the whole centre area. Others use it to mean only the inner bull. For scoring, the exact segment matters: green outer bull is 25, red or central inner bull is 50 on a traditional board.
Outer bull: 25 points
The outer bull is the ring around the very centre. It scores 25 points. It is not a double, and it does not count as 50. If a player hits outer bull with one dart and two single 20s with the other darts, the visit is 65.
Outer bull matters because 25 is a useful setup score. It can tidy up awkward remaining totals, and it is a common target when players want to leave a better checkout. Beginners should learn it as its own score rather than treating every centre hit as the same thing.
Inner bull: 50 points
The inner bull is the small centre circle. It scores 50 points. In 501, it can also be called bull, bullseye or double bull depending on the player and setting. The key rule is that the inner bull counts as double 25.
That double status is important. If a player has 50 left in a double-out leg, hitting the inner bull wins the leg. Hitting the outer bull would leave 25, which is not a finish by itself because there is no 12.5 double.
Why the bull counts as a double
Standard double-out darts requires the winning dart to land in a double segment. The inner bull qualifies because it is double 25. That is why professional players can finish 50 with one dart at bull.
This also explains why 25 is awkward at the end of a leg. If you have 25 remaining, you cannot finish with one dart, because the outer bull is single 25 and the inner bull would score 50. Most players aim to leave an even number so a double is available.
Examples of bullseye scoring
| Darts thrown | Visit score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Outer bull, single 20, single 5 | 50 | 25 + 20 + 5 |
| Inner bull, single 20, single 5 | 75 | 50 + 20 + 5 |
| Inner bull, treble 20, double 20 | 150 | 50 + 60 + 40 |
| Outer bull, outer bull, inner bull | 100 | 25 + 25 + 50 |
Bullseye in a checkout
The bull is most famous as a checkout target. If you need 50, inner bull wins. If you need 100, a clean two-dart route is treble 20 then double 20 rather than bull first. Bull is more commonly seen when the remaining score, number of darts left or missed first dart makes the centre the best available route.
Beginners do not need to memorise every bull checkout straight away. They should first understand that 50 can be finished with one dart, 25 cannot, and the bull becomes more useful when it leaves or completes a double-out finish.
Common bull checkout examples
The most famous bull finish is 170: treble 20, treble 20, inner bull. It is called the big fish because it is the highest standard three-dart checkout in double-out 501. That does not mean beginners should chase it constantly, but it shows why the inner bull is strategically important.
Other routes can use the bull as a setup dart. For example, on 121, treble 20 leaves 61, and a player might use treble 11 then double 14 or single 11 then bull depending on preference and dart position. On 125, treble 20 leaves 65, which can become 25 then tops or 15 then bull. Checkout routes vary, but the rule stays the same: only the inner bull is 50 and only the inner bull can finish as double 25.
When should you aim at outer bull?
Outer bull is not just a near miss. It can be a deliberate setup target. Players sometimes use 25 to leave a preferred double or avoid awkward numbers. For example, if a player has 65 left and wants tops, hitting outer bull leaves 40. That is why experienced players may aim at the bull area even when they are not trying to finish on 50.
Beginners should learn this slowly. First, know the values. Second, practise hitting the general bull area. Third, learn simple leaves such as 65 to tops, 75 to bull, and 85 to tops after a single 20 or outer bull route. The bull becomes more useful when it is connected to a plan.
Why beginners miscount the bull
Beginners often see a dart in the centre and call it 50 automatically. That is wrong if the dart is in the outer bull. Another mistake is assuming the outer bull is a double because it sits near the middle. It is not. It is a single 25 scoring area.
The easiest check is visual. If the dart is in the small centre circle, score 50. If it is in the surrounding centre ring, score 25. If it is outside both bull areas, score the numbered segment where it lands.
What if the dart is on the wire?
Close bull calls can happen when a dart sits near the wire between outer bull and inner bull. In casual games, agree the score before removing the dart. Look straight at the board rather than from the side, because the barrel angle can make a dart appear closer to the centre than it really is.
For friendly play, the practical rule is simple: the dart scores the segment its point enters. If players cannot agree, decide a house rule before the next leg rather than arguing after the darts are removed. Clear scoring habits matter more than winning a casual dispute.
Does bullseye scoring change in different darts games?
In standard steel-tip 501, the scoring values are 25 and 50. Other games may use the bull differently for tactics, but the point values remain the same on a standard board. In cricket-style games, the bull is often treated as its own target, with outer bull counting as one mark and inner bull as two marks.
Soft-tip formats and local rules can vary, so always confirm the game before starting. For typical pub and home 501, use outer bull 25 and inner bull 50.
Should beginners aim at the bull?
Beginners should practise the bull, but not at the expense of learning big singles, trebles and doubles. The bull is small, and chasing it constantly can make early practice frustrating. It is usually better to build grouping first, then add focused bull practice.
A simple drill is 30 darts at the bull area. Score 1 point for outer bull and 2 points for inner bull. Track the total each week. This makes practice measurable without pretending every attempt needs to be a match-winning shot.
A better bull practice routine
Use three short blocks. First, throw 15 darts at the whole bull area and record outer plus inner hits. Second, throw 15 darts at a large single such as 20 or 19 to reset your throw. Third, throw 15 darts at the bull again. This stops bull practice becoming tense and helps you compare relaxed attempts with focused attempts.
Once that feels controlled, add checkout pressure. Start on 50 and give yourself three darts to finish. If you hit outer bull first, you have 25 left and must set up rather than finish immediately. If you miss outside the bull, use the remaining score as a real checkout problem. This teaches the difference between practice scoring and match decision-making.
How bull scoring affects confidence
The bull looks important because it sits in the centre, but most legs are still built through scoring and doubles. A beginner who misses the bull often may still improve quickly by hitting large singles consistently and learning finishes. Do not let the bull become the only measure of progress.
That said, understanding bull scoring makes the whole board less mysterious. You know why 25 can be useful, why 50 can finish, and why leaving 25 is awkward in double-out. That knowledge helps you make better choices even before your accuracy catches up.
Quick scorekeeping rule
When scoring a visit, call the bull segment by value rather than by nickname. Say "twenty-five" for outer bull and "fifty" for inner bull. This avoids confusion when a player says they hit the bull but the dart is actually in the outer ring.
That habit is especially useful when someone else is chalking. Clear calls keep the leg moving and make checkout maths easier for both players in every casual leg.
Match situation matters
The bull is worth the same points in every standard leg, but its importance changes with the score. Early in a leg, treble scoring usually matters more. Late in a leg, bull can become the winning dart or the setup dart that leaves a preferred double. That is why players should learn the value and the situation, not only the nickname.
Equipment that makes bull practice fair
Bull practice is only useful if the setup is measured correctly. Use a clear dartboard, protect the wall with dartboard surrounds, and consider a dartboard stand if wall mounting would make the height or distance unreliable.
Comfortable darts or a balanced dart set will make repetition easier. Keep darts accessories such as spare flights and stems nearby so damaged parts do not distort your practice.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
Related reading
For more scoring context, read how to score darts, the simple rules of darts, what 25 points means, what 50 points means and whether you can finish on 25.
Sources used
- PDC rules of darts.
- PDC Europe rules overview.
- Darts501 dart game rules.
- Dartshopper 501 rules guide.
- Red Dragon darts rules.
Bottom line
The bullseye is worth 50 only if the dart lands in the inner bull. The outer bull is worth 25. For standard double-out 501, the inner bull also counts as double 25, so it can finish a leg when a player has exactly 50 remaining.
FAQ
Is the bullseye 25 or 50?
The outer bull is 25 and the inner bull is 50.
Can you finish on bullseye?
Yes. In double-out 501, the inner bull counts as double 25 and can finish 50.
Is outer bull a double?
No. Outer bull is single 25.
What is three bullseyes worth?
Three inner bulls score 150. Three outer bulls score 75.
