How To Set Up a Dartboard at Home

Since our family almost finished our basement game room, we’ve been adding all kinds of fun game options.

And we’ve already decided adding a dartboard is a must! Did you know that darts started as a military pastime during medieval times in England?

Today, darts has become near and dear to many people, especially in pubs across the world. And installing a home dartboard can be a great way to enjoy the sport at home as well.

But whether you’re mounting bristle dartboards or electronic dartboards, proper installation is key to enjoying the game to the fullest.

If you are using a steel tip or soft tip darts, knowing how to set up a dartboard at the correct height with the regulation distance ensures you can play safe while having the most fun.

Here are some need-to-knows about setting up a dartboard at home:

Get the Proper Measurements

Before starting the process of setting up your dartboard, you should be aware of the standard measurements.

The right dartboard height and distance measurements are often packaged with your dartboard.

Steel Tip Dartboard Measurements

The most popular dartboards use steel tip darts. The regulation dartboard height is 5′ 8″ (or 173 cm) from the floor line to the center of the dartboard and the bullseye.

For throwing, 7′ 9¼” should be the distance from the dartboard to the back of the throwing line.

Soft Tip Dartboard Measurements

Soft tip electronic dartboards often follow the same height measurements of 5′ 8″ from the floor to the center of the bullseye as steel tip dartboards use.

The distance from the back of the throw line to the dartboard face, though, becomes 8″ feet (or 244 cm).

On the other hand, despite owning soft tip dartboards, many people prefer to follow the regulation measurements for steel tip dartboards entirely out of habit.

These electronic dartboard measurements aren’t written in stone, and you are free to do as you please.

If you’re used to playing darts on an electric board, switching to a bristle board may take a bit of adjusting. Soft tip darts are lighter than steel tips, so the force you use for your throw will undoubtedly be affected.

Wheelchair Dartboard Measurements

There are a few adjustments to the dartboard measurements for wheelchair players who want to enjoy a game of darts.

The dartboard distance remains the same, 7′ 9¼” (or 237 cm).

However, the regulation height distance from the floor to the center of the board changes to 4′ 5⁹⁄₁₀” (or 137 cm).

Mounting Dartboards

Mounting dartboards is relatively easy, especially if you’re using a magnetic dartboard.

Often, when purchased, dartboards come with a user manual and parts checklist for your dartboard setup.

Use this to work through the step-by-step process of mounting your dartboards at home.

Mounting Bristle Dartboards

One of the most common dartboards seen through homes across the country, bristle dartboards require a little more hands-on work.

All bristle dartboards come with the necessary parts you need to hang the board on your wall. A metal slot will have to be hammered on to your backboard or wall.

Note that your dartboard should always be flush to your wall and not leaning like a picture when installed. This position keeps the face of the dartboard steady and sturdy throughout your sets.

Mounting Electronic Dartboards

Requiring slightly less hands-on work than bristle boards, electronic dartboards often have pre-made holes that you can easily insert and position on your wall.

On the other hand, these sometimes bring complications in terms of measurements.

But don’t worry too much about installation; new measurements for mounting are always included in the manual for electronic dartboards.

Mounting Magnetic Dartboards

The easiest dartboard to mount is the magnetic dartboard. These boards come with a rope that you can use to hang from a hook anywhere in your home quickly.

Magnetic dartboards are designed to be portable, which means you can hang them in your bedroom, living room, or gym without much hassle.

As a reminder, never set up a dartboard near windows, glass, or fragile appliances and furniture.

Whether you are a beginner or professional darts player, accidents can happen, especially if you are using steel tip darts.

Installing a dartboard backboard can significantly decrease the chances of ruining your wall.

When purchasing dartboards, the installation and mounting can sometimes leave people scratching their heads, especially if you want to follow the official rules of the World Darts Federation for your games.

Before you begin hammering nails on your wall, remember the basic spacing and mounting requirements you might need to consider.

On the surface, learning how to set up a dartboard at home is as easy as hammering a few nails or, for magnetic dartboards, hanging a rope.

The tricky part really is the measurements, and once you get past that, you can enjoy unlimited hours playing darts in the comfort of your home!