In darts, 25 points usually means the outer bull: the ring around the inner bullseye at the centre of the board. It is a single scoring area, not a double, and it is different from the inner bull, which scores 50.
Last reviewed: 24 August 2026. This guide explains 25-point scoring in standard steel-tip darts, especially 501 and double-out finishes.
The direct answer
Twenty-five points is the score for the outer bull. The outer bull is the ring surrounding the small inner bull in the centre of the dartboard. The inner bull scores 50, while the outer bull scores 25.
This distinction matters because players often use the word bull loosely. If a dart lands in the centre ring, it is 25. If it lands in the small centre circle, it is 50.
Where is 25 on the dartboard?
The 25-point area sits in the middle of the board, around the inner bull. On many traditional boards it is the green ring around the red bullseye, though colours can vary by board design. The scoring value does not change: outer bull is 25.
If the dart lands outside the bull area, score the numbered segment where the point enters. The centre is not one large 50-point target. It is two targets: outer bull and inner bull.
Is 25 a double?
No. The outer bull is not a double. It is a single 25 scoring area. The inner bull is the double because it counts as double 25 and scores 50.
This is one of the most important beginner rules. If you need 25 in a double-out leg, you cannot finish with one dart. Hitting outer bull scores 25, but it is not a double. Hitting inner bull scores 50, which would be too much.
Why leaving 25 is awkward
In standard double-out 501, the winning dart must be a double or the inner bull. Because 25 is odd, there is no single dart double that equals 25. That makes 25 an awkward number to leave at the end of a leg.
If you have 25 remaining, you usually need to hit a single number first to leave an even double. For example, single 9 leaves 16, which can be finished on double 8. Single 5 leaves 20, which can be finished on double 10.
When 25 is useful
Despite being awkward as a final remaining score, 25 can be very useful as a setup score. The classic example is 65 remaining. Hitting outer bull leaves 40, giving a shot at double 20. Many players like that route because tops is a familiar finishing double.
Outer bull can also tidy up messy numbers when a player has one dart left in hand. The aim is not always to score the most points. Sometimes the aim is to leave the cleanest next visit.
Examples of 25-point scoring
| Darts thrown | Visit score | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Outer bull only | 25 | One dart in the outer bull |
| Outer bull, single 20, single 5 | 50 | 25 + 20 + 5 |
| Outer bull, outer bull, inner bull | 100 | 25 + 25 + 50 |
| Three outer bulls | 75 | 25 + 25 + 25 |
What if you need 25 to win?
If you are playing straight-out, house rules may allow any exact score to win. But in standard double-out 501, 25 cannot be finished directly. You must first leave an even number, then hit the required double.
A sensible beginner route from 25 is to aim at a large single that leaves a comfortable double. Single 9 leaves double 8. Single 5 leaves double 10. Single 1 leaves double 12. Avoid the inner bull because it scores 50 and busts the visit.
Best routes when you are left on 25
There is no single perfect route from 25 because players like different doubles, but the principle is simple: hit a single that leaves an even number. Single 9 to leave 16 is popular because double 8 is a comfortable target for many beginners. Single 5 to leave 20 is also simple because double 10 is easy to understand.
What you should avoid is aiming at a tiny target with no reason. If your confidence is low, choose a larger single area and give yourself a clear double. The first dart from 25 is a setup dart, not the winning dart.
Using 25 as a setup from 65, 75 and 85
From 65, outer bull leaves 40. That gives double 20, one of the most familiar finishes in darts. From 75, outer bull leaves 50, which gives a one-dart shot at inner bull if you have another dart in hand. From 85, outer bull leaves 60, which can be managed on the next visit or with two darts depending on the format.
These are not the only routes, but they show why 25 is strategic. A player may aim at the bull area because 25 improves the next target, not because they are trying to hit the highest possible score.
Why players sometimes aim at the bull area
The bull area is not only for dramatic finishes. It can be a percentage target when a player wants either 25 or 50 to create a useful leave. Experienced players may choose the bull area because missing slightly still produces a manageable outcome compared with aiming at a narrow treble.
That does not mean beginners should aim at the bull constantly. The bull is small, and most legs are built by steady scoring around the larger number segments. Use bull practice as one part of training, not the whole session.
How 25 works in cricket-style darts
In cricket-style games, the bull is usually treated as its own target. Outer bull counts as one bull mark and inner bull counts as two bull marks. The scoring language changes from pure points to marks, but the relationship is similar: outer bull is the smaller value and inner bull is the higher value.
If you mainly play 501, think in points. If you play cricket, think in marks. Either way, learning the difference between outer and inner bull prevents scoring mistakes.
What if the dart touches the bull wire?
Score the segment where the point enters the board. If the point is in the outer bull, it is 25. If the point is in the inner bull, it is 50. The barrel angle can be misleading, so look at the point rather than the flight or shaft.
In casual games, agree the score before removing the dart. Once the dart has been pulled out, it is much harder to settle a close call fairly.
Common beginner mistakes with 25
- Calling every centre hit 50: outer bull is 25, inner bull is 50.
- Thinking outer bull is double 25: inner bull is double 25; outer bull is single 25.
- Leaving 25 on purpose too often: it usually creates an extra setup dart in double-out.
- Aiming at bull without a plan: know whether you want 25, 50 or a safe setup.
- Removing darts before checking: close bull calls should be scored before the darts are pulled out.
A simple practice drill
Throw 30 darts at the bull area. Give yourself 1 point for outer bull and 2 points for inner bull. Record the total, then repeat once a week. This drill teaches the difference between hitting the whole bull area and hitting the smaller inner bull.
For checkout practice, start from 65. First dart at outer bull leaves 40. If you hit 25, aim at double 20 next. If you miss into a single segment, work out the new remaining score and continue. This turns bull practice into real match thinking.
How to teach 25 to a new player
Use one sentence first: outer bull is 25, inner bull is 50. Then show the board and point to each area. Avoid saying "the bullseye is 25" because that can create confusion when someone else uses bullseye to mean the inner bull.
After that, give them three examples: one outer bull scores 25, two outer bulls score 50, and one inner bull scores 50. Those examples make the scoring difference clear without needing a long rules lecture.
Why this small rule improves checkout maths
Knowing 25 properly helps checkout thinking because it teaches the difference between scoring and finishing. A score can be useful even if it cannot finish the leg. Outer bull can leave a better double, fix an odd number, or create a safer next visit.
That is one of the bigger lessons in darts. The best dart is not always the dart worth the most points. Sometimes the best dart is the one that leaves the next dart easier.
Quick reference for 25
| Situation | What 25 means | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring | Outer bull | Add 25 to the visit total |
| Finishing | Not a double | You cannot finish 25 directly in double-out |
| Setup | Useful single | Can leave tops from 65 |
When not to aim at 25
Do not aim at outer bull just because it feels central. If you have a clear scoring target, a clear double, or a safer route through a large single, use that instead. The bull area is small, and a miss may leave a worse number than a planned single would have done.
Aim at 25 when it serves the leg: leaving a preferred double, turning an awkward number into a manageable one, or practising a specific route.
Equipment that helps
A well-lit dartboard makes bull scoring easier to judge. Add dartboard surrounds to protect the wall while practising small targets, or use a dartboard stand if you need a measured temporary setup.
Comfortable darts or a balanced dart set will make repeatable practice easier. Keep darts accessories such as spare flights and stems ready so damaged parts do not affect grouping.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
Related reading
For more scoring context, read how many points a bullseye is worth, what 50 points means, whether you can finish on 25, how to score darts and the simple rules of darts.
Sources used
- PDC rules of darts.
- PDC Europe rules overview.
- Darts501 dart game rules.
- Dartshopper 501 rules guide.
- Red Dragon darts rules.
Why 25 changes checkout planning
Twenty-five is useful as a setup score but awkward as a final leave. Hitting outer bull can tidy some totals, yet being left on 25 means there is no single-dart double finish. Good checkout planning uses 25 deliberately instead of drifting onto it by accident.
Bottom line
Twenty-five points in darts means the outer bull. It is useful for setup play and scoring examples, but it is not a double and it is awkward to leave as a final score in standard double-out 501.
FAQ
Is 25 the bullseye?
It is the outer bull, not the inner bull. The inner bull scores 50.
Can you finish on 25?
Not directly in standard double-out 501. You need to leave and hit a double.
Is outer bull double 25?
No. Inner bull is double 25 and scores 50.
What is three 25s in darts?
Three outer bulls score 75.
