An oche in darts is the throw line that players must stand behind when throwing. It can be a tape line, a raised strip, the front edge of a dart mat or a fixed marker. For standard steel-tip darts, that front edge sits 2.37m from the face of the dartboard.
Last reviewed: 23 August 2026. This guide is written for standard standing steel-tip darts. Soft-tip, wheelchair darts and local rules can use different setup requirements.
Quick answer
The oche is the legal boundary for the throw. Your foot can touch the oche, and you can lean forward over it, but your foot must not cross the front edge nearest the board before the dart is released.
In a proper steel-tip setup, the oche is also the measurement point: 2.37m, or 7 ft 9.25 in, from the front face of the dartboard to the front edge of the oche. The bullseye should be 1.73m from the floor.
What does the oche do?
The oche makes every throw fair and repeatable. Without a fixed throw line, players could stand at different distances from the board. That would make scoring and practice impossible to compare.
It also gives the player a consistent starting point. Darts is built on repeated stance, sight line and release distance. If the throw line moves, the whole throw can feel different.
Where is the oche placed?
For standard steel-tip darts, place the front edge of the oche 2.37m from the front face of the dartboard. Do not measure from the wall, cabinet or bracket. The dartboard has depth, so wall-to-line measurement usually makes the throw too short.
The bullseye should be 1.73m from the floor. A diagonal check from the bull centre to the front edge of the oche should be about 2.93m. For the full setup process, read the dartboard to oche distance guide.
Can your foot touch the oche?
Yes. A player can stand with the foot touching the oche, provided no part of the foot crosses the front edge nearest the dartboard. The front edge is the legal line.
Leaning forward is normally allowed as long as the foot stays behind the line. The issue is not where your shoulder or hand finishes; it is whether the foot crosses the legal boundary before release.
Foot-fault examples
A legal stance can have the toe touching the raised oche. It can also have the foot slightly behind a tape line. A foul happens when the foot crosses the front edge and shortens the throw before the dart is released.
The simplest habit is to set the front foot the same way every visit. If you use a raised oche, feel the edge with the toe. If you use tape, stand behind the edge nearest the board rather than standing on top of the middle of the tape and guessing.
Tape line, raised oche or mat?
| Oche type | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Tape line | Simple home setups. | Can move, peel or be measured to the wrong edge. |
| Raised oche | Clear physical boundary. | Must be fixed at the correct front-edge distance. |
| Dart mat | Floor protection and visible distance marks. | Use the correct steel-tip line, not a soft-tip line. |
| Permanent floor mark | League rooms and dedicated spaces. | Needs careful measurement from the board face. |
Why raised oches help
A raised oche gives the player a physical edge. You can feel the line with your foot without looking down. That helps repeat stance and reduces accidental creeping forward.
Tape can still work well, especially for casual home play, but it depends on discipline. If the tape line is wide, decide whether the front edge or back edge is the legal line and keep it consistent. In proper play, the front edge nearest the board is what matters.
Common oche mistakes
- Measuring from the wall: measure from the board face instead.
- Standing on the wrong edge: the front edge nearest the board is the line.
- Letting a mat drift: a moved mat can shorten or lengthen the throw.
- Ignoring soft-tip differences: electronic boards can use a longer distance.
- Practising from a casual line: match conditions will feel different later.
What if players disagree about the oche?
Disputes usually come from unclear edges or a moved mat. Check the line before play starts. Confirm the board-face starting point, measure to the front edge of the oche and use the same line for both players.
If a player steps over the line, deal with it calmly and consistently according to the match rules. In casual play, a reminder is often enough. In league play, the competition rules and marker should decide how the throw is treated.
Soft-tip oches can be different
Soft-tip darts often use a different throwing distance, commonly 2.44m or 8 ft depending on the electronic board or league. The word oche still means the throw line, but the distance may not match steel-tip darts.
If you practise both formats, mark the lines clearly. Do not rely on memory or a single mat label unless you know which format it is printed for. A player switching between steel-tip and soft-tip should expect the sight picture to feel different.
Why the oche matters for beginners
Beginners often focus on the board and forget the floor. But stance starts at the oche. If your foot position changes every visit, the throw line, shoulder angle and sight picture can all change.
Mark a comfortable foot position behind the oche and repeat it. This does not mean your stance must copy a professional player. It means your setup should give your throw a fair chance to become repeatable. Read the basic skills in darts for the wider throw framework.
Oche etiquette in matches
In match play, step back clearly after your visit. Do not stand on or around the oche while the next player prepares to throw. The line is part of the playing area, and crowding it can distract an opponent.
If there is a dispute about the line, check it calmly before play or between legs. Do not wait until a key double has been missed to argue about distance. A quick measurement before warm-up avoids most problems.
Home setup equipment
A good home setup needs a stable board, clear throw line and safe surroundings. Use dartboards for a reliable surface, dartboard surrounds for wall protection, dartboard stands if drilling is not practical and darts accessories for mats, flights and setup spares.
Once the oche is correct, keep the setup stable for a few sessions before judging your throw. Changing the line, board, darts and stance at the same time makes feedback unreliable.
Room layout and safety
The oche should sit in a clear throwing lane. Leave room behind the player so they can step back after a visit, and keep the board away from doors, windows, televisions and walkways. A correct line is not enough if people can walk behind or beside the board.
Think about bounce-outs as well. Darts can hit the wire and come back toward the floor. Keep fragile items away from the board area, and use wall or floor protection if the room is shared. A safe setup makes practice easier to relax into.
Why oche consistency affects accuracy data
If the oche moves, your practice numbers lose value. A 30-dart grouping test from 2.30m is not the same test as a 30-dart grouping test from 2.37m. The difference may sound small, but the sight line and release feel can change.
This is why serious practice should start with setup control. Mark the line, keep it fixed and measure again after moving mats, stands or cabinets. Then your grouping, scoring and doubles data mean something over time.
Oche habits for match play
When you arrive at a venue, take a few warm-up visits to feel the oche. Raised oches, tape lines and mats all feel slightly different under the foot. Settle your stance before worrying about scoring.
If the oche is raised, do not press so hard into it that your stance becomes tense. If it is a tape line, avoid creeping forward during the visit. The same legal line should produce the same calm routine.
How the oche affects practice
The oche gives practice consistency. If you throw from the same legal line every session, your scores, grouping and miss patterns mean more. If the line moves, you may think the throw has changed when the distance has changed.
For accuracy work, use the oche as part of the routine: step in, set feet, pick the target, throw, step back. For more practice structure, read how to practise dart accuracy and how to improve your darts.
Build the oche into your routine
Use the oche as the start of every throw sequence. Step in, settle the front foot, check balance, raise the dart and throw. Repeating that sequence makes the line part of your rhythm rather than something you only notice when measuring.
This is especially useful under pressure. When a double matters, a familiar foot position can help the throw feel normal. The oche is not just a strip on the floor; it is the anchor point for stance and routine.
When to upgrade from tape
Tape is acceptable for a quick setup, but upgrade if it keeps moving, peeling or causing arguments about the legal edge. A mat or raised oche makes the throw line clearer and protects the floor around the standing area.
If you play league darts or practise seriously at home, a clear physical line is worth having. It removes one variable from practice, which makes every drill easier to trust.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
Related reading
For connected setup and rules guides, read why it is called an oche, how far professionals throw darts, the simple rules of darts, what an oche means in setup and whether darts players need to be fit.
Sources used
- PDC rules of darts.
- PDC Europe rules guide.
- Darts Regulation Authority rulebook page.
- Darts501 setup reference.
- Red Dragon darts setup information.
Bottom line
An oche is the legal throw line in darts. Stand behind its front edge, measure it from the board face, and keep it fixed so every throw is fair, repeatable and measurable.
FAQ
What is an oche in darts?
The oche is the throw line players stand behind when throwing darts.
How far is the oche from the dartboard?
For standard steel-tip darts, the front edge of the oche is 2.37m, or 7 ft 9.25 in, from the board face.
Can your foot touch the oche?
Yes, but your foot must not cross the front edge nearest the dartboard before release.
Is a dart mat an oche?
A dart mat can include an oche line, but the correct front edge and distance still need to be checked.
