What do the colours on a dartboard mean?

May 2, 202311 min read

Dartboard colours meaning featured image with red green black and cream scoring zones

The colours on a dartboard mainly exist to separate scoring zones quickly. The large black and light wedges are single-score areas, the thin red and green rings mark doubles and trebles, the outer bull is usually green and worth 25, and the inner bullseye is usually red and worth 50.

Last reviewed: 24 August 2026. This guide explains what dartboard colours mean, why they alternate, how they affect scoring, and what to look for when choosing a readable board for home practice.

Infographic explaining what dartboard colours mean for singles doubles trebles and bull areas — The colour does not create the score by itself. The score comes from the number and the ring the dart lands in.

The direct answer

Dartboard colours are a readability system. They help players, scorers and viewers identify whether a dart has landed in a single, double, treble, outer bull or inner bull area. The exact shade can vary by manufacturer, but the contrast pattern is what matters.

On a standard board, the large single wedges alternate between dark and light colours. The thin double and treble rings alternate between red and green. The outer bull is usually green and the bullseye is usually red.

Colours do not change the number

The colour of a wedge does not change the base number. A dart in the black part of 20 and a dart in the light part of 20 would both score 20 if they are in single-score areas. The number gives the base value; the ring gives the multiplier.

This is the key beginner rule: number times ring equals score. If the dart hits the treble ring in the 18 segment, it scores 54 whether the coloured band is red or green. If it hits double 16, it scores 32.

Black and light wedges

The large wedge areas are the single scoring zones. They alternate dark and light so neighbouring numbers are easier to distinguish. This helps the eye read the board quickly, especially from the oche or in a busy venue.

These areas score the face value of the number. Single 20 scores 20, single 5 scores 5, single 1 scores 1 and so on. The colour is there for contrast, not bonus points.

Red and green multiplier rings

The red and green bands in the outer ring are doubles. The red and green bands in the inner narrow ring are trebles. These colours help the multipliers stand out from the larger single areas.

That is why professional broadcasts zoom in on the coloured rings so often. The difference between a single 20 and treble 20 is not the number label; it is whether the dart caught the narrow treble band.

The bull colours

The centre of the board has two scoring areas. The outer bull, usually green, scores 25. The inner bullseye, usually red, scores 50. The inner bullseye also counts as a double for finishing in standard double-out play.

This can confuse beginners because green usually appears in multiplier rings as well. In the centre, green normally means 25, not a treble or double. Context matters: the same colour can appear in a different scoring zone.

Why the colours alternate

Alternating colours make the board easier to read. If every wedge used the same colour, segment boundaries would be harder to see, especially under lower light or from a distance. Alternation turns the board into a visual grid.

The same principle applies to the red and green rings. The colours separate adjacent scoring beds so players and scorers can identify close darts more quickly.

Function matters more than tradition

The familiar colour pattern has become part of darts culture, but its practical value is still the main point. The board has to be readable from throwing distance, from the side of the room and under venue lighting. Colour gives the eye a shortcut.

That shortcut is especially important in fast games. Players need to know what they hit, scorers need to keep up, and opponents need confidence that the score is being read fairly.

Are the colours standard?

The general layout is standard for normal bristle boards, but exact shades can vary. One board may use brighter green, another may use deeper red, and some special boards use novelty styling. For serious practice, readability is more important than novelty.

If you want a reliable practice surface, choose a clear dartboard with strong contrast, clean wires and a readable number ring.

Why board clarity matters

A board that is hard to read slows scoring and makes practice less enjoyable. Poor contrast can also make close calls harder, especially around trebles, doubles and the bull. Good colour contrast is not cosmetic; it supports fair scoring.

Lighting matters too. A clear board can still be difficult to use if shadows cover the scoring beds. Treat board choice, lighting and setup as one system.

Colour blindness and contrast

Some players do not experience red and green contrast in the same way. For those players, wire definition, lighting, number-ring clarity and segment contrast become even more important. A board does not have to be bright to be readable; it has to separate zones clearly.

If you struggle to distinguish red and green bands, test boards in good light where possible and pay attention to the wire profile. Clear physical boundaries can support readability when colour contrast alone is not enough.

Scoring examples

If a dart lands in the green treble band of the 19 segment, it scores 57. If it lands in the red double band of the 18 segment, it scores 36. If it lands in a light single wedge of 12, it scores 12. The colour helps you see the zone, but the number and ring produce the score.

The bull areas work differently because they are central targets. The outer bull is worth 25 and the inner bull is worth 50. You do not multiply the bull by the number ring because it is not part of the 1 to 20 sequence.

Home setup and accessories

Protect the wall with dartboard surrounds and use a measured dartboard stand if wall mounting is not possible. Add setup aids, mats, spare flights and stems from darts accessories if you want a cleaner practice space.

Use consistent darts or complete dart sets so colour-reading mistakes are not mixed up with equipment changes, poor lighting or damaged flights.

Common colour mistakes

Thinking red always means 50: red can be a double, treble or the inner bull depending on position.
Thinking green always means 25: green can also appear in double and treble rings.
Ignoring the ring: the ring decides single, double or treble.
Buying novelty over clarity: unusual colours can make scoring harder.
Using poor lighting: even a good board needs clear visibility.

How to teach beginners

Teach the board in layers. First, show the numbers. Second, show the large single wedges. Third, show the double ring. Fourth, show the treble ring. Finally, explain the two bull areas. This order prevents colour overload.

Then practise reading darts aloud: “single 18,” “treble 20,” “double 8,” “outer bull.” Naming the zone builds scoring confidence quickly.

What to look for when buying

Choose contrast, wire clarity and durability over unusual styling. Novelty boards can look good in a product photo but become tiring to score on if the colours are too muted, the number ring is hard to read or the bull areas lack definition.

For regular play, a traditional colour layout is usually the safest choice. It matches what players see in pubs, clubs, leagues and televised darts, so practice transfers more easily.

When colours become a problem

Colours become a problem when the board is faded, dirty, poorly lit or worn around high-use areas. A tired treble bed can be harder to judge, especially if the wire has lifted or the sisal has become uneven.

If the board is still holding darts but the colours are hard to read, improve lighting first. If the surface is damaged and the scoring zones are no longer clear, replacing or rotating the board may be the better solution.

Practice drill for colour reading

Throw one dart at a number, then call out the colour, ring and score before pulling the dart out. For example: “green treble 19, 57” or “red double 16, 32.” This forces you to read the board properly rather than guessing from memory.

For beginners, this drill builds scoring speed. For better players, it keeps concentration sharp during doubles and trebles practice.

Why colours matter under checkout pressure

When a leg comes down to a double, the player is not thinking about colour as decoration. The coloured outside ring gives the eye a precise boundary. Double 16, double 20 and double 8 are easier to attack confidently when the board contrast is clean.

Good colour separation also helps spectators and opponents follow the finish. Everyone in the room can see whether the dart landed in the single wedge, just inside the wire, or in the double bed that wins the leg.

Why televised darts uses close-ups

Television coverage relies on colour and ring contrast to show the story quickly. A close-up of a dart in treble 20 communicates more than a wide shot because viewers can instantly see the narrow scoring bed.

This is one reason colour clarity matters beyond beginners. Darts is a precision sport, and the scoring surface needs to make precision visible.

Visual guide: how to apply this at the board

A practical decision map for applying the what do the colours on a dartboard mean answer at a real board.

Use this matrix to turn the what do the colours on a dartboard mean question into the right practice, scoring or setup decision.

Sources used

PDC rules of darts for scoring context.
PDC Europe rules for board segments and bull values.
Red Dragon darts rules for beginner scoring explanation.
CITS sports dimensions guide for darts for standard board context.
Winmau dartboard setup instructions for setup and board guidance.

Why lighting changes colour usefulness

The colours only help if the board is lit evenly. Shadows can make red and green beds harder to separate, especially around trebles, doubles and the bull. If scoring feels uncertain at home, improve the light before blaming the board. A clear board under poor light can still be harder to read than a modest board under balanced lighting.

Bottom line

Dartboard colours are scoring cues. Black and light wedges show single-score areas, red and green rings identify doubles and trebles, green usually marks the outer bull worth 25, and red usually marks the inner bullseye worth 50. Always read colour together with position.

For serious practice, choose a board where those zones are easy to separate quickly. Clear scoring feedback is more useful than unusual styling. The faster you can read the zone, the faster you can correct the next visit under match pressure.