Short answer: the highest score with one dart in standard steel-tip darts is 60, scored by hitting treble 20. The inner bullseye scores 50, so it is important, but it is not the highest single-dart score. The treble ring multiplies the number by three, and 20 x 3 beats the fixed bull value.
Last reviewed: 23 August 2026. This guide explains standard steel-tip darts scoring. Soft-tip machines, app games and local formats can vary, so always follow the rules of the format you are playing.
The answer: treble 20 scores 60
The highest number on a standard dartboard is 20. If a dart lands in the treble ring of the 20 segment, the score is tripled. That makes treble 20 worth 60 points. No other single dart can score more in normal steel-tip scoring.
This surprises beginners because the centre of the board feels like it should be the highest target. In many target games, the middle is the top prize. Darts is different because numbered segments can be multiplied by the double and treble rings, while the inner bull has a fixed value of 50.
Why bullseye is not the highest score
The bullseye is valuable, but it does not use the treble multiplier. PDC Europe's rules guide describes the bullseye as worth 50 points and the single bull around it as worth 25. The same guide explains that the dartboard has numbered segments with a triple ring and a double ring. That ring structure is what makes treble 20 worth 60.
So the scoring logic is simple: inner bull is fixed at 50; treble 20 is 20 multiplied by three. That makes T20 ten points higher than bull. It also explains why three treble 20s make 180, the highest normal three-dart score.
Top one-dart scores in standard darts
| Rank | Target | Score | Calculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Treble 20 | 60 | 20 x 3 |
| 2 | Treble 19 | 57 | 19 x 3 |
| 3 | Treble 18 | 54 | 18 x 3 |
| 4 | Inner bull | 50 | Fixed bull value |
| 5 | Treble 17 | 51 | 17 x 3 |
| 6 | Double 20 | 40 | 20 x 2 |
Notice the odd-looking order around bull. Treble 18 scores 54 and treble 17 scores 51, so both beat the 50 bull. Treble 16 scores 48, so that is the first treble below bull. This is why the bull is not the fourth-highest scoring target if you count every treble value; it sits between treble 17 and treble 16.
How singles, doubles, trebles and bull work
The large single areas score face value. A single 20 scores 20. The outer double ring scores twice the number. Double 20 scores 40 and is commonly called tops or double top. The inner treble ring scores three times the number. Treble 20 scores 60.
The bull area works differently. The outer bull scores 25 and the inner bull scores 50. The inner bull also counts as a double for finishing in standard double-out play. That finishing role is one reason beginners overvalue it for scoring. It can win legs, but it is still not worth more than treble 20.
Why players aim at treble 20
Players aim at treble 20 because it gives the highest reward for one dart and the highest normal visit when hit three times. It is the core scoring target in 501 because a player who can group around T20 can reach finishes quickly. A 180 is simply three darts in treble 20.
That does not mean every dart should be thrown at treble 20. Darts is a scoring and finishing game. Early in a leg, T20 is often the main target. Later, the right target may be a single, a different treble or a double that leaves a cleaner finish.
When bull is still the right target
Bull is not the highest single-dart score, but it is still strategically important. It is a finish target. It appears in major checkouts such as 170, known as the Big Fish, where the route is treble 20, treble 20, bull. Sky Sports' darts glossary describes Big Fish as the highest possible checkout, requiring two T20s and bull.
Bull can also be useful in practice because it sits in the centre of the board and encourages straight-line control. Some players use bull drills to measure grouping. In certain soft-tip or casual formats, bull rules may differ, which is why this article focuses on standard steel-tip scoring.
Why the ranking matters in 501
In 501, you are trying to reduce the score to exactly zero, normally finishing on a double or bull. Early in the leg, high scoring matters because it gets you to a finish sooner. That is why treble 20 is so valuable: one dart can remove 60 points, and three perfect darts can remove 180.
But the ranking is only a starting point. A player on 501, 441 or 381 may happily aim at treble 20. A player on 62 should think differently because a single 12 can leave bull, or a single 10 can leave 52 depending on the preferred route. The best scoring target and the best match target are not always the same.
This is why beginners should learn the hierarchy without becoming trapped by it. Knowing that T20 is the maximum explains scoring strategy. Knowing when to leave T20 explains finishing strategy.
Treble 19 and cover scoring
Treble 19 is the second-highest single-dart score at 57. It matters because it is the main cover target when treble 20 is blocked or the angle is poor. If your first dart sits awkwardly in the T20 bed, forcing the next two darts into the same space can create deflections or poor misses. Switching to 19s keeps the visit alive.
Good scoring is not only about chasing 180. A visit of 140 is excellent. A visit of 137, 134 or 97 can also be useful depending on the score left. Treble 19 gives players a serious alternative that still scores heavily and develops board movement.
Why double 20 is not a scoring target
Double 20 scores 40, which is less than bull and far less than T20. Yet double 20 is one of the most famous targets in darts because it is a preferred finishing double. Players often call it “tops” because it sits at the top of the board.
This is another example of scoring value versus strategic value. Double 20 is not where you normally aim for maximum scoring, but it can be exactly where you aim to win the leg. A beginner who understands this distinction will make better decisions near the end of 501.
Soft-tip and house-rule caveats
Soft-tip darts can use different bull scoring depending on the machine or game setting. Some formats make the whole bull area count as 50, while others separate outer and inner bull. Cricket formats also use marks rather than normal point scoring. Those differences can change which target is best in that specific game.
For standard steel-tip 501, the answer remains treble 20 at 60. If you are playing on an electronic board, check the screen settings before assuming the same bull rules apply.
Scoring target versus finishing target
This is the most important beginner distinction. The highest scoring target is treble 20. The best finishing target depends on the score left. If you have 40 remaining, double 20 is the target. If you have 50 remaining, bull may be the finish. If you have 32, double 16 is normally better than trying to score high.
Strong players do not simply aim at the highest number until the leg ends. They score heavily, then switch to targets that leave preferred doubles. That is why a player may ignore treble 20 late in a leg and aim at a single number instead. The right dart is the one that improves the next dart.
Common beginner mistakes
Thinking the centre is always best: bull is valuable, but T20 scores more.
Chasing bull during scoring: in 501, treble 20 is usually a stronger scoring target.
Ignoring treble 19: T19 scores 57 and is an important cover shot when T20 is blocked.
Confusing highest score with best target: the highest score is not always the smartest target near a checkout.
Forgetting soft-tip differences: some machines and formats treat bull differently, so check the rules before comparing scores.
Practice drills to learn the hierarchy
- T20 ladder: throw 30 darts at treble 20 and record T20, single 20, 5 and 1 separately.
- Cover switch: throw the first dart at T20, then move to T19 for the next two.
- Bull comparison: throw 15 darts at bull and 15 at T20; compare scores and grouping.
- Finish switch: start from 60, 50, 40 and 32 so you practise choosing the right target, not just the biggest one.
How to explain it to a new player
The simplest explanation is this: numbers score their face value, the outer ring doubles them, the inner ring trebles them, and the centre has fixed values of 25 and 50. Because the biggest number is 20, the biggest multiplied score is treble 20.
Then give the comparison: bull is 50, treble 20 is 60. That single contrast usually solves the misconception. After that, the next lesson is when not to aim at the maximum because the checkout route matters more.
Equipment and setup checks
If you are learning scoring, use a board with clear treble beds and a visible bull. A worn treble 20 can make scoring practice misleading because bounce-outs or damaged sisal distort feedback. Browse dartboards if your board is tired, dart sets if your darts do not suit your grip, and darts accessories for flights, stems, mats and setup essentials.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
Related reading
For the full scoring system, read how darts scoring works. If this question came from hearing a maximum called, read why they shout 180 in darts. For the centre-board question, see how many points a bullseye scores. For target choice, read the best numbers to aim for in darts.
Sources used
- PDC Europe rules guide for dartboard scoring and bull values.
- PDC Europe glossary for dart, double, checkout and bull terminology.
- Red Dragon darts rules reference.
- Darts501 darts terms and slang glossary.
- Sky Sports darts jargon glossary.
Bottom line
The highest score with one dart is treble 20, worth 60. The inner bull scores 50 and remains important for finishes, but it is not the top scoring target. For scoring, T20 is king. For finishing, the right target depends on the number left.
FAQ
Is bullseye the highest score with one dart?
No. Inner bull scores 50, while treble 20 scores 60.
What is treble 19 worth?
Treble 19 is worth 57 points.
What is double 20 worth?
Double 20 is worth 40 points and is often called tops.
What is the highest score with three darts?
The highest normal three-dart score is 180, from three treble 20s.
