What is the dart throw line distance?

May 4, 202310 min read

Dart throw line distance featured image with oche measurement guide

The standard steel-tip dart throw line distance is 2.37m, or 7 ft 9.25 in, measured from the front face of the dartboard to the front edge of the throw line. The bullseye should be 1.73m, or 5 ft 8 in, from the floor. If you want a quick double-check, the diagonal from the bull centre to the front edge of the line should be about 2.93m, or 9 ft 7.5 in.

Last reviewed: 23 August 2026. This guide is for standard standing steel-tip darts. Soft-tip machines, wheelchair darts and local league formats can use different measurements, so always follow the rules of the match or venue you are playing in.

Steel-tip darts throw line distance diagram showing 2.37m from dartboard face to front edge of the oche — Screenshot this before setting up a home board: the key measurement starts at the board face, not the wall.

The official throw line distance

In standard steel-tip darts, the throw line is set at 2.37m from the dartboard face. In imperial measurement, that is 7 ft 9.25 in. The player must stand behind the line, and the front edge of that line is the point that matters.

This is the same measurement many players call the oche. A raised oche, a dart mat and a strip of tape can all work, provided the front edge is placed at the correct distance and does not move during play.

Measure from the board face, not the wall

The most common mistake is measuring from the wall. That usually makes the true throwing distance too short because a dartboard has depth. A cabinet, bracket or surround can add even more distance between the wall and the playing face.

The reliable method is to project a vertical line down from the front playing face of the board, mark that point on the floor, then measure 2.37m from that point to the front edge of the throw line. If the board sits in a cabinet, open the cabinet and measure from the face of the board as it sits during play.

The three measurements that keep the setup honest

Setup check	Steel-tip measurement	Measure from
Bullseye height	1.73m / 5 ft 8 in	Floor to centre of bull
Throw line distance	2.37m / 7 ft 9.25 in	Board face to front edge of line
Diagonal check	2.93m / 9 ft 7.5 in	Bull centre to front edge of line

The diagonal check is useful because it catches errors in both height and distance. If the bull height is correct and the floor distance is correct, the diagonal should be close to 2.93m. If it is not, recheck the starting point before moving the line.

How to mark the throw line step by step

First, mount the board so the centre of the bull is 1.73m from the floor. Do not measure to the top of the board, the number ring or the mounting screw. The bull centre is the reference point.

Second, identify the board-face line. Hold a straight edge vertically against the front of the board and mark the floor directly below it. That mark is your zero point. This avoids guesswork around board thickness, brackets and cabinets.

Third, measure 2.37m out from that floor mark. Put the front edge of the oche, mat line or tape at that point. The front edge means the edge nearest the board. Players should stand behind it, not on or in front of it.

Finally, check the diagonal from the bull centre to the front edge of the line. If it reads around 2.93m, the setup is consistent. If the board is on a stand, make sure the stand is not leaning forward or backward before trusting the measurement.

Throw line, toe line and oche: are they the same?

For most players, yes. The throw line is the line the player stands behind. The toe line is another plain-English way to describe the same boundary. Oche is the darts term, especially in the UK and in formal darts contexts.

The important detail is not the name. It is the edge. Whether you use a raised oche, a printed line on a mat or tape on the floor, the legal boundary is the front edge nearest the board. If your toes go beyond that edge before release, you are too close.

Why the exact distance matters

A short line changes the sight picture. The board looks larger, the release angle changes slightly and misses can feel less punishing. Practising from a short distance can give false confidence, then make a proper match setup feel unfamiliar.

A long line creates the opposite problem. The board feels smaller than it should, which can make players over-throw, pull the shoulder into the action or chase power instead of rhythm. Correct distance gives you useful feedback because the practice conditions match standard play.

That matters most when you are working on accuracy. If you are trying to tighten your grouping, use the right line first, then read our guide to practising dart accuracy. Technique advice becomes more meaningful once the setup is correct.

Raised oche, mat or tape?

A raised oche gives the clearest physical boundary. You can feel it with your front foot without looking down, which helps keep the setup consistent during a match. It is the best option if the board is in a dedicated practice space.

A dart mat is a practical home option because it combines a visible line with floor protection. Check the printed measurements carefully, especially if the mat includes more than one distance. Some mats show steel-tip and soft-tip lines.

Tape is fine for a simple setup, but it can peel, move or be replaced in the wrong place. If you use tape, add a small hidden floor mark at the correct front edge so you can reset it accurately.

Soft-tip throw line distance

Soft-tip darts often use a longer distance, commonly 2.44m or 8 ft, but you should not treat that as universal. Electronic boards, machines and leagues can vary. If you are playing soft-tip, check the machine, event rules or local league guidance.

This is why a home player with both steel-tip and soft-tip boards should avoid one permanent unlabelled line. Mark the steel-tip line clearly and mark any soft-tip line separately, or use a mat that identifies both distances.

Wheelchair darts and adjusted setups

Wheelchair darts can use adjusted setup rules, including a different board height based on the competition framework. Do not solve that by moving the throw line at random. Use the relevant event, league or governing-body guidance so the setup is fair and repeatable.

If several players share one home setup, an adjustable dartboard stand can be useful because it lets you alter height without drilling extra wall mounts.

Room layout and safety

A correct throw line is only part of a good setup. The board should not sit near a doorway, window, television or walkway. Darts can bounce out, especially from hard boards, worn points or awkward angles.

Use enough wall protection around the board and keep the floor area clear. Browse dartboard surrounds if the board is near a finished wall, and check darts accessories for mats, spare flights, points and setup items.

Lighting matters as well. Heavy shadows across treble 20, doubles or the bull can make the board harder to read and can distort practice feedback. A stable setup should give you the same view every visit.

Common mistakes to avoid

Measuring from the wall: measure from the dartboard face instead.
Using the back edge of the line: the front edge nearest the board is the legal boundary.
Trusting a shifted mat: mats move, especially on smooth floors.
Ignoring board height: the bull centre should be 1.73m from the floor.
Mixing steel-tip and soft-tip distances: check the format before marking the line.
Forgetting the diagonal check: the 2.93m diagonal is a useful final audit.

What to buy for a reliable home setup

Start with a stable board and a clear line. A quality dartboard gives you a consistent playing surface. A surround protects the wall. A mat or raised oche keeps the throw line visible. Accessories help you maintain the setup once it is built.

Do not change everything at once if you are also trying to improve your throw. Keep your darts stable for a few sessions, then assess the setup. If you need equipment guidance, read what darts are best to buy and what weight darts professionals use.

A quick example

Imagine your dartboard face sits 35mm forward from the wall because of the board and mounting bracket. If you measure 2.37m from the wall, your true board-face-to-line distance is about 2.335m. That is enough to make practice slightly short.

The fix is simple: mark the board-face line, not the wall line. Then measure the full 2.37m from that mark. This method works whether the board is on a bare wall, inside a cabinet or mounted on a portable stand.

How often should you recheck it?

Recheck the throw line whenever you move the board, change cabinets, add a surround, buy a mat, relocate a stand or notice several players saying the board feels short or long. Shared rooms are especially prone to small shifts.

For serious practice, rechecking once a month is sensible. It takes less than two minutes and prevents weeks of misleading practice. The goal is not obsessive measuring; it is making sure your throw is learning the same distance you will face in proper play.

Visual guide: how to apply this at the board

A practical decision map for applying the the dart throw line distance answer at a real board.

Use this matrix to turn the the dart throw line distance question into the right practice, scoring or setup decision.

Sources used

Bottom line

The dart throw line distance for standard steel-tip darts is 2.37m, or 7 ft 9.25 in, from the front face of the board to the front edge of the oche. Set the bull at 1.73m high, use the 2.93m diagonal as a check, and do not measure from the wall.