The Number That Haunted Me
I had 121 left. Two darts had already sailed wide. Then, with my third dart in hand and my heart hammering, I genuinely had no idea where to throw.
I hit single 20 and left 101. As a result, three more darts were wasted. Meanwhile, my opponent doubled out from 40 while I was still doing mental arithmetic at the oche.
That’s the moment I finally understood: knowing how to finish is a completely different skill from knowing how to score. Furthermore, the difference between a player who wins and a player who wastes three visits on a simple checkout almost always comes down to one thing — knowing your combinations.
That’s exactly what this guide is built for.
Below you’ll find the complete darts checkout chart from 170 down to 2 — every possible finish, clearly listed, with primary routes and alternative combinations where they matter most. Whether you’re printing this out to hang next to your board or memorising it one range at a time, this is the reference you’ll come back to again and again.
Let’s get into it.

How to Read This Checkout Chart

Before jumping into the numbers, here’s a quick key so every entry makes sense:
- T = Triple (e.g. T20 = Triple 20 = 60 points)
- D = Double (e.g. D16 = Double 16 = 32 points)
- S = Single (e.g. S18 = Single 18 = 18 points) — sometimes written without the S prefix
- Bull = Inner Bullseye = 50 points (counts as a valid double finish)
- Bogey = Score that cannot be finished in three darts — no checkout exists
Darts in each route are listed in the order you should throw them: first dart → second dart → third dart (if needed).
Important reminder: Your final dart must always land on a Double or the inner Bullseye to win the leg. Any dart that takes your score below zero, to exactly 1, or to zero without landing on a double counts as a bust — your score resets to the start of that turn.
The 7 Bogey Numbers — Learn These First
Before any checkout chart, memorise these seven scores. They are completely impossible to finish in three darts — no combination on the board can reach zero from them:
| Bogey Number | Why It’s Impossible |
|---|---|
| 169 | Needs 119 from 2 darts before a double — not achievable |
| 168 | No valid 3-dart route ending on a double or bull |
| 166 | No valid 3-dart route |
| 165 | No valid 3-dart route |
| 163 | No valid 3-dart route |
| 162 | No valid 3-dart route |
| 159 | No valid 3-dart route ending on a double or bull |

If you land on any of these, throw a scoring dart to move off the bogey number before attempting to finish. Aim for 160, 161, 164, or 167 — all of which are valid three-dart checkouts.
Memory tip: All bogey numbers above 50 end in the digits 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, or 9. If your score ends in 0, 1, 4, or 7 — you’re always on a checkable number.
Complete Darts Checkout Chart: 170 to 2
🔴 Three-Dart Checkouts: 170 to 101

These are the biggest finishes — the ones that require all three darts and maximum precision. Committing these to memory is what separates intermediate players from serious competitors.
| Score | Primary Route | Alternative Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | T20, T20, Bull | — | “The Big Fish” — highest possible checkout. Only one route exists. |
| 169 | ❌ BOGEY | — | Impossible in 3 darts |
| 168 | ❌ BOGEY | — | Impossible in 3 darts |
| 167 | T20, T19, Bull | T19, T20, Bull | First two darts interchangeable |
| 166 | ❌ BOGEY | — | Impossible in 3 darts |
| 165 | ❌ BOGEY | — | Impossible in 3 darts |
| 164 | T20, T18, Bull | T19, T19, Bull | Two valid routes |
| 163 | ❌ BOGEY | — | Impossible in 3 darts |
| 162 | ❌ BOGEY | — | Impossible in 3 darts |
| 161 | T20, T17, Bull | T19, T18, Bull | — |
| 160 | T20, T20, D20 | — | First 3-dart out landing on a regular double |
| 159 | ❌ BOGEY | — | Impossible in 3 darts |
| 158 | T20, T20, D19 | — | — |
| 157 | T20, T19, D20 | — | Classic competitive finish |
| 156 | T20, T20, D18 | — | — |
| 155 | T20, T19, D19 | T19, T18, Bull | Tough finish — avoid if possible |
| 154 | T20, T18, D20 | T18, T20, D20 | — |
| 153 | T20, T19, D18 | T19, T18, D19 | — |
| 152 | T20, T20, D16 | T19, T19, D18 | Lands on beginner-friendly D16 |
| 151 | T20, T17, D20 | T19, T18, D18 | — |
| 150 | T20, T18, D18 | T20, T20, D15 | — |
| 149 | T20, T19, D16 | T20, T13, D20 | — |
| 148 | T20, T16, D20 | T20, T20, D14 | — |
| 147 | T20, T17, D18 | T19, T18, D16 | — |
| 146 | T20, T18, D16 | T19, T19, D16 | — |
| 145 | T20, T19, D14 | T20, T15, D20 | — |
| 144 | T20, T20, D12 | T20, T16, D18 | — |
| 143 | T20, T17, D16 | T19, T18, D16 | — |
| 142 | T20, T18, D16 | T19, T17, D18 | — |
| 141 | T20, T19, D12 | T20, T15, D18 | Famous 9-dart-finish route: 180+180+141 |
| 140 | T20, T20, D10 | T20, T16, D16 | — |
| 139 | T20, T19, D11 | T19, T14, D20 | — |
| 138 | T20, T18, D12 | T19, T19, D12 | — |
| 137 | T20, T19, D10 | T19, T20, D10 | — |
| 136 | T20, T20, D8 | T20, T16, D14 | — |
| 135 | T20, T17, D12 | T19, T18, D12 | — |
| 134 | T20, T14, D20 | T20, T18, D10 | — |
| 133 | T20, T19, D8 | T20, T13, D16 | — |
| 132 | T20, T20, D6 | Bull, Bull, D16 | Bull + Bull route is a “Champagne Finish” |
| 131 | T20, T13, D16 | T19, T14, D16 | — |
| 130 | T20, T18, D12 | T19, T19, D8 | Very common competitive finish |
| 129 | T19, T16, D18 | T20, T19, D6 | — |
| 128 | T20, T20, D4 | T20, T16, D12 | — |
| 127 | T20, T17, D8 | T19, T14, D16 | — |
| 126 | T19, T19, D6 | T20, T18, D6 | — |
| 125 | T20, T15, D10 | T20, T19, D4 | Or Bull, T15, D20 |
| 124 | T20, T16, D8 | T19, T19, D4 | — |
| 123 | T20, T13, D12 | T19, T14, D12 | — |
| 122 | T18, T18, D7 | T20, T12, D13 | — |
| 121 | T20, T11, D14 | T17, T18, D8 | Tricky but very common — memorise this one |
| 120 | T20, S20, D20 | T20, T16, D6 | Or T20, 20, D20 |
| 119 | T19, T10, D16 | T20, S19, D20 | — |
| 118 | T20, S18, D20 | T18, T14, D16 | — |
| 117 | T20, T19, D10 | T19, T20, D10 | — |
| 116 | T20, T16, D14 | T19, T11, D20 | — |
| 115 | T20, S15, D20 | T19, S18, D20 | — |
| 114 | T20, T14, D16 | T19, T13, D16 | — |
| 113 | T20, T13, D20 | T19, T12, D20 | — |
| 112 | T20, T12, D20 | T19, T15, D16 | — |
| 111 | T20, T11, D19 | T19, T14, D14 | — |
| 110 | T20, Bull | T19, T13, D16 | Only 2 darts needed! Classic finish |
| 109 | T20, S9, D20 | T19, T12, D16 | — |
| 108 | T20, S8, D20 | T19, S11, D20 | — |
| 107 | T19, T10, D20 | T17, Bull | Bull route is cleaner for many players |
| 106 | T20, S6, D20 | T18, T12, D16 | — |
| 105 | T20, S5, D20 | T19, S8, D20 | — |
| 104 | T18, T18, D5 | T20, S4, D20 | — |
| 103 | T19, S6, D20 | T20, S3, D20 | — |
| 102 | T20, S2, D20 | T18, S12, D18 | — |
| 101 | T20, S1, D20 | T17, S10, D20 | — |

🟡 Two-Dart Checkouts: 100 to 41

These are the workhorses of competitive darts. Hit these reliably and your win rate climbs dramatically.
| Score | Primary Route | Alternative Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | T20, D20 | T16, D26 | Clean 2-dart finish — must-know |
| 99 | T19, D21 | T13, D30 | Or T19, S12, D18 (3-dart) |
| 98 | T20, D19 | T18, D22 | — |
| 97 | T19, D20 | T20, D18.5 | — |
| 96 | T20, D18 | T16, D24 | — |
| 95 | T19, D19 | T15, D25 | Or T19, S18, D20 |
| 94 | T18, D20 | T14, D26 | — |
| 93 | T19, D18 | T13, D24 | — |
| 92 | T20, D16 | T16, D22 | Lands on beloved D16 halving chain |
| 91 | T17, D20 | T19, D17 | — |
| 90 | T20, D15 | T14, D24 | — |
| 89 | T19, D16 | T13, D25 | — |
| 88 | T20, D14 | T16, D20 | — |
| 87 | T17, D18 | T19, D15 | — |
| 86 | T18, D16 | T14, D22 | — |
| 85 | T19, D14 | T15, D20 | — |
| 84 | T20, D12 | T16, D18 | — |
| 83 | T17, D16 | T19, D13 | — |
| 82 | T14, D20 | T18, D14 | — |
| 81 | T19, D12 | T15, D18 | Common mid-game finish — memorise this |
| 80 | T20, D10 | T16, D16 | — |
| 79 | T19, D11 | T13, D20 | — |
| 78 | T18, D12 | T14, D18 | — |
| 77 | T19, D10 | T15, D16 | — |
| 76 | T20, D8 | T16, D14 | T20 route is most popular |
| 75 | T17, D12 | T15, D15 | — |
| 74 | T14, D16 | T18, D10 | — |
| 73 | T19, D8 | T13, D16 | — |
| 72 | T20, D6 | T16, D12 | — |
| 71 | T13, D16 | T19, D7 | — |
| 70 | T18, D8 | T10, D20 | — |
| 69 | T19, D6 | T11, D18 | — |
| 68 | T20, D4 | T18, D7 | — |
| 67 | T17, D8 | T9, D20 | — |
| 66 | T10, D18 | T14, D12 | — |
| 65 | T19, D4 | T11, D16 | Or Bull, D15 |
| 64 | T16, D8 | T14, D11 | — |
| 63 | T13, D12 | T17, D6 | — |
| 62 | T10, D16 | T12, D13 | — |
| 61 | T15, D8 | T11, D14 | Or Bull, S11 (3-dart) |
| 60 | S20, D20 | T12, D12 | Simple single + double |
| 59 | S19, D20 | T13, D10 | — |
| 58 | S18, D20 | T10, D14 | — |
| 57 | S17, D20 | T19, D0 | — |
| 56 | T16, D4 | S16, D20 | — |
| 55 | S15, D20 | T11, D11 | — |
| 54 | S14, D20 | T18, D0 | — |
| 53 | S13, D20 | T19, D-1 | — |
| 52 | T12, D8 | S12, D20 | — |
| 51 | S11, D20 | T17, D0 | — |
| 50 | Bull | S10, D20 | 1-dart finish on the Bull! |
| 49 | S9, D20 | T7, D14 | — |
| 48 | S16, D16 | T8, D12 | D16 route preferred — leaves halving chain |
| 47 | S15, D16 | S7, D20 | — |
| 46 | S6, D20 | S10, D18 | — |
| 45 | S13, D16 | S5, D20 | — |
| 44 | S12, D16 | S4, D20 | — |
| 43 | S11, D16 | S3, D20 | Or S19, D12 |
| 42 | S10, D16 | S6, D18 | — |
| 41 | S9, D16 | S1, D20 | — |
🟢 One-Dart Checkouts: 40 to 2
Every even number from 2 to 40 can be finished with a single dart. These are the cleanest, fastest possible finishes in the game.

| Score | Double to Hit | Segment Location |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | D20 | Top of board — “Double Top” |
| 38 | D19 | — |
| 36 | D18 | — |
| 34 | D17 | — |
| 32 | D16 | Best beginner double — halving chain |
| 30 | D15 | — |
| 28 | D14 | — |
| 26 | D13 | — |
| 24 | D12 | — |
| 22 | D11 | — |
| 20 | D10 | — |
| 18 | D9 | — |
| 16 | D8 | — |
| 14 | D7 | — |
| 12 | D6 | — |
| 10 | D5 | — |
| 8 | D4 | — |
| 6 | D3 | — |
| 4 | D2 | — |
| 2 | D1 | “The Madhouse” — hardest 1-dart finish |
| 50 | Bull | Inner bullseye — valid 1-dart finish |
For odd numbers below 40: You must first hit a single dart to reduce to an even number, then finish on the double.
| Odd Score | Escape Route | Then Finish On |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | S7 → 32 | D16 |
| 37 | S5 → 32 | D16 |
| 35 | S3 → 32 | D16 |
| 33 | S1 → 32 | D16 |
| 31 | S7 → 24 | D12 |
| 29 | S5 → 24 | D12 |
| 27 | S3 → 24 | D12 |
| 25 | S1 → 24 | D12 |
| 23 | S7 → 16 | D8 |
| 21 | S5 → 16 | D8 |
| 19 | S3 → 16 | D8 |
| 17 | S1 → 16 | D8 |
| 15 | S7 → 8 | D4 |
| 13 | S5 → 8 | D4 |
| 11 | S3 → 8 | D4 |
| 9 | S1 → 8 | D4 |
| 7 | S3 → 4 | D2 |
| 5 | S1 → 4 | D2 |
| 3 | S1 → 2 | D1 |
| 1 | ❌ IMPOSSIBLE | Cannot finish on 1 |

The Most Famous Checkouts in Darts — Named Finishes You Should Know
Some checkouts are so celebrated they’ve earned their own names. Here’s the hall of fame:
| Name | Score | Route | Why It’s Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Big Fish | 170 | T20, T20, Bull | Maximum checkout — rarest, most prestigious finish in darts |
| The Big Fish Alternative | 167 | T20, T19, Bull | Second-highest checkout — nearly as impressive |
| The Shanghai Checkout | 120 | T20, S20, D20 | Hits single, treble, double of 20 — same concept as Shanghai dart game |
| The Champagne Finish | 132 | Bull, Bull, D16 | Two bulls then a double — once considered “showboating” in UK pub culture |
| Double Top | 40 | D20 | The most-attempted single-dart finish — sits at the top of the board |
| The Madhouse | 2 | D1 | Narrowest double — notoriously difficult under pressure |
| The Perfect Leg | 501 in 9 | 180+180+141 | The nine-dart finish — only achieved a handful of times on broadcast TV |

Which Double Should You Aim For? The D16 vs D20 Debate
Ask ten different experienced players which double is best, and you’ll get a strong split. Here’s the case for each:
The Case for Double 20 (D20 — “Tops”)
- Worth 40 points — the highest single-dart checkout
- Sits at the very top of the board — ergonomically comfortable for most right-handed players
- Psychologically familiar — most players practice tops more than any other double
- Miss outside → hits the wire and scores 0 (safe), or drifts into segment 5 or 1

The Case for Double 16 (D16)
- The famous halving chain: 32 → miss S16 → 16 (D8) → miss S8 → 8 (D4) → miss S4 → 4 (D2) → miss S2 → 2 (D1)
- Every inside miss gives you another clean double opportunity — you never get stuck on an odd number
- Miss outside D20 and hit S20 → leaves 20 for D10. Miss D10, hit S10 → leaves 10 for D5. Miss D5, hit S5 → leaves 5. Odd number. Dead end.
- Miss outside D16 and hit S16 → leaves 16 for D8. Still clean. Always clean.
The verdict: D20 is better if your throwing accuracy is high and consistent. D16 is better if you’re still building your doubles game — the forgiving halving chain means missed darts don’t punish you as hard.
Most coaches recommend beginners start with D16 and switch to D20 once their accuracy justifies it.
The Most Common Checkouts in Competitive Play
According to data from PDC tour statistics, these are the checkouts that come up most frequently in real matches — the ones worth memorising above all others:
Top 10 Most Common Competitive Checkouts
| Rank | Score | Route | Why It Comes Up So Often |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 | D20 | Most common endgame double |
| 2 | 32 | D16 | Second most common — halving chain favourite |
| 3 | 36 | D18 | Popular preferred double for many club players |
| 4 | 24 | D12 | Frequently reached from standard scoring paths |
| 5 | 100 | T20, D20 | Clean 2-dart — comes up constantly |
| 6 | 81 | T19, D12 | Tricky but extremely common in mid-level play |
| 7 | 76 | T20, D8 | Very frequent 2-dart from scoring T20 patterns |
| 8 | 121 | T20, T11, D14 | Appears regularly — difficult and must be memorised |
| 9 | 50 | Bull | Simple 1-dart that many players unnecessarily complicate |
| 10 | 141 | T20, T19, D12 | Key 9-dart-finish route — common in strong players’ games |
How to Use This Chart to Actually Improve
Having a checkout chart is the starting point — using it effectively is what creates real improvement. Here’s how to work through it:
Phase 1 — Master the 1-Dart Finishes (Week 1–2)
Spend your first sessions drilling the 20 even-number doubles from D1 to D20, plus the bullseye. These are the foundation of everything. Set yourself on each one and don’t move to the next until you’ve hit it. Track how many attempts each double takes you.
Phase 2 — Learn the Key 2-Dart Checkouts (Week 2–4)
Focus on the most common ones first: 100 (T20, D20), 96 (T20, D18), 92 (T20, D16), 81 (T19, D12), 76 (T20, D8). Practice them as pairs — throw the setup dart and then finish on the double. The setup dart matters as much as the finishing double.
Phase 3 — Build Your 3-Dart Repertoire (Week 4–8)
Start with the 3-dart checkouts you’ll actually reach in games: 121, 120, 117, 115, 110, 107, 100. Don’t try to learn all of 170–101 in one sitting. Learn five new routes per week and drill each one with 9 darts (3 complete attempts) before moving on.
Phase 4 — Hang the Chart, Play Games
Print this chart and hang it next to your dartboard. For the first month of serious play, it’s completely fine — even encouraged — to glance at it between turns. Referencing it while playing builds familiarity. Eventually the routes become instinctive.
6 Checkout Strategy Rules That Will Win You More Games

Rule 1: Always Think About Your Miss
Before every checkout attempt, ask: “If I miss this dart inside, what score am I left on?” A great checkout route keeps you on an even number — ideally one in the halving chain — after a miss.
Rule 2: Avoid Bogey Numbers at All Costs
When you’re in the mid-game scoring phase (200–350 remaining), actively steer your scoring darts to avoid landing on the 7 bogey numbers. A tiny adjustment of one point mid-game can save you an entire extra visit.
Rule 3: Setup Shots Are as Important as Finish Shots
From 200 remaining, start thinking about which double you want to arrive at. Every dart from 200 downward should be moving you toward your preferred checkout, not just maximising score.
Rule 4: Don’t Overthink Two-Dart Finishes
When you have 60–100 remaining, most of these are clean 2-dart finishes. Identify your double, throw your setup dart, and trust your routine. Overthinking at the oche costs more games than missed doubles.
Rule 5: The Bullseye Is Your Friend
Many amateur players avoid the bull. Professional players actively use it. For scores like 110 (T20, Bull), 107 (T17, Bull), and 101 (T17, Bull), the bullseye is the cleaner, simpler route. Practice your bull regularly — it opens up finish options that your opponents are ignoring.
Rule 6: Develop Personal Alternative Routes
The checkout chart gives you recommended routes. Over time, you’ll find certain combinations suit your throw better than others. If you consistently hit D18 more reliably than D20, design your checkout paths to land on 36 instead of 40. Personalise the chart to your game — the chart is a framework, not a rulebook.
Frequently Asked Questions About Checkout Charts
Q: Is there only one correct route for each checkout? No — most checkouts have multiple valid routes. The chart shows the most commonly used and statistically best-percentage routes, but alternative combinations are always valid. As long as your final dart lands on a double, you win.
Q: Why can’t 1 be checked out? There is no “Double ½” on a standard dartboard. The lowest valid double is Double 1, which equals 2. A score of 1 is therefore an unfinishable dead end — which is why some groups play the “splitting the 11” house rule as a penalty.
Q: Can I use the outer bullseye to finish? In standard 501 and 301 rules, the outer bull (worth 25 points) does not count as a valid double finish. Only the inner bull (50 points) is valid. Always confirm this rule before a competitive game.
Q: When should I use an alternative route vs. the primary route? Use the alternative when: your primary double is wired (previous darts blocking the target), you’re stronger at a different double, or the primary route has a risky miss outcome. The goal is always the highest-percentage finish for your specific skill level.
Q: How long does it take to memorise the full checkout chart? Most players naturally memorise the checkouts they use most often within 4–8 weeks of regular play. Actively drilling with a chart speeds this up significantly. Full memorisation of all 161 checkouts typically takes 3–6 months of consistent play.
Q: What’s the best checkout for a beginner to try first? Start with 32 → Double 16. It’s the most forgiving route in the game thanks to the halving chain. Once you’re comfortable with D16 and its miss outcomes, expand to D20, D18, and the simple 2-dart finishes.
Quick Reference: Key Checkout Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Highest checkout | 170 — T20, T20, Bull |
| Lowest checkout | 2 — D1 |
| Total valid checkouts | 161 (out of 169 scores from 2–170) |
| 1-dart checkouts | 21 (D1–D20 + Bull) |
| 7 bogey numbers | 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, 159 |
| Best beginner double | D16 (halving chain: 32→16→8→4→2) |
| Most attempted double | D20 (Double Top) |
| Only 1-route checkout | 170 — no alternative exists |
| Inner bull value | 50 points — valid double finish |
| Outer bull value | 25 points — NOT a valid double finish |
Final Thoughts: The Chart Is Your Starting Point, Not Your Ceiling
No professional darts player looks at a chart during a match. Instead, they’ve practiced these routes until the combinations are as automatic as reading their own name.
That’s your goal too — not to reference this chart forever, but rather to use it as a foundation until the routes become instinctive. To that end, stick it on your wall. Then run through it before practice sessions, and call your checkout out loud before you throw. Do that for a few months and you’ll discover something every serious darts player eventually learns:

The finish is the fun part. Scoring triple 20s is satisfying, of course. But standing at the oche with 121 remaining, knowing exactly where to throw, and then watching those three darts execute the plan? That’s the feeling that keeps players coming back to the board night after night.
Now you have every combination from 170 to 2. As a result, the rest is just practice.
Found this chart useful? If so, bookmark it, print it, or share it with your darts group — and meanwhile, let us know in the comments which checkout you’re going to drill first!











