So you just picked up a set of darts and stared at the board — wondering what all those numbers, rings, and zones actually mean. You are not alone. Every darts player started exactly where you are right now.
The good news? Scoring in darts is simpler than it looks. Once you understand how each zone on the board works, everything else falls into place naturally. This guide walks you through every part of the darts scoring system — from the very basics to checkout strategy — in plain, simple language.
Let’s get started.
What Does a Dartboard Look Like? (Understanding the Layout)
Before you can score, you need to know what you are throwing at.
A standard dartboard has 20 numbered segments, arranged in a circle. The numbers run from 1 to 20 — but not in order. The layout is deliberate. High numbers sit next to low ones, so a slightly off-throw is punished immediately. Miss the 20? You might hit a 5 or a 1 instead.
Here are the key measurements every player should know:
- Bullseye height from the floor: 1.73 metres (5 ft 8 in)
- Throwing distance (oche to board face): 2.37 metres (7 ft 9¼ in)
These are official measurements used in professional play. Getting them right at home makes your practice sessions far more useful.
How Dartboard Scoring Works: Zone by Zone
Every dart scores based on exactly where the tip lands when it sticks in the board. There are five main zones to understand.
Single Area — The Main Segment
The largest section of each numbered slice. Hit it, and you score the face value of that number.
- Hit segment 20 → you score 20 points
- Hit segment 7 → you score 7 points
This is where beginners land most of their darts. It is the biggest target — but scoring singles alone will not win you games quickly.
Double Ring — Outer Thin Band
The narrow ring running around the very outside of the scoring area. Any dart that lands here scores double the face value of that segment.
- Double 20 = 40 points
- Double 16 = 32 points
- Double 1 = 2 points
The double ring is critical in the most popular format — 501 — because you must finish your game by landing on a double. Hitting it under pressure is one of the most important skills in darts.
Triple Ring — Inner Thin Band
The second narrow ring, located roughly halfway between the outer edge and the bull. Darts landing here score triple the face value.
- Triple 20 = 60 points ← highest single-dart score on the numbered board
- Triple 19 = 57 points
- Triple 18 = 54 points
Serious players spend most of their time targeting triple 20. Three darts in triple 20 in one turn scores 180 points — the maximum possible. Referees famously shout “One hundred and eighty!” when this happens.
Outer Bull — Green Ring (25 Points)
The green ring surrounding the centre circle. It always scores 25 points, regardless of the game format.
In Cricket darts, the outer bull counts as one mark toward closing the bullseye.
Inner Bull (Bullseye) — Red Centre (50 Points)
The small red circle at the very centre of the board. It scores 50 points and counts as a double in 501 — meaning you can legally finish a game by hitting it.
In Cricket, the inner bull counts as two marks.
Outside the Board — Zero Points
Any dart that misses the board entirely, bounces off the wire, or falls out before the score is recorded counts as zero. You cannot re-throw it.
Dartboard Scoring Zones — Quick Reference Table
| Zone | Description | Points Scored |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Main numbered segment | Face value (1–20) |
| Double Ring | Outer thin band | × 2 face value |
| Triple Ring | Inner thin band | × 3 face value |
| Outer Bull | Green ring | 25 points |
| Inner Bull (Bullseye) | Red centre | 50 points |
| Off the board | Missed dart | 0 points |
| Maximum per dart | Triple 20 | 60 points |
| Maximum per turn | Three triple 20s | 180 points |
How to Score 501 Darts (The Standard Game)
501 is the format used in professional darts worldwide — by the PDC and BDO alike. Most pub games and local competitions use this format too.
The Basic Rules of 501
- Both players start with 501 points
- Each turn, you throw 3 darts
- Your score for that turn gets subtracted from your total
- The first player to reach exactly zero wins the leg
It sounds simple — and it mostly is. The challenge comes from the checkout rule.
The Checkout Rule — Double Out
Here is the rule that trips up many beginners. You cannot reach zero any way you like. Your final dart must land on a double or the inner bullseye to win.
This is called a “double out” or simply a “checkout.”
Example: You have 32 points left. You need to hit Double 16 (32 ÷ 2 = 16, doubled = 32). If you hit a single 16 instead, you now have 16 left and need Double 8 next. Miss that and hit 8? You need Double 4. This cascading strategy is part of what makes 501 so compelling.
What Is a Bust in Darts?
A bust happens when:
- Your score goes below zero
- You land on exactly 1 (impossible to finish from since no “Double 0.5” exists)
- You hit zero without landing on a double
When you go bust, your score resets to what it was at the start of that turn. All three darts count for nothing.
Example: You have 32 left. You throw 20, then 13 — total 33. That takes you to -1. Bust. Your score goes back to 32.
What Is a Nine-Darter?
A nine-darter is the perfect game — winning a leg of 501 in just nine darts (three turns of three). It is one of the rarest and most celebrated achievements in all of darts.
One classic route:
- Turn 1: Triple 20 + Triple 20 + Triple 20 = 180
- Turn 2: Triple 20 + Triple 20 + Triple 20 = 180
- Turn 3: Triple 20 + Triple 19 + Double 12 = 141
Total: 501 ✓
How Does 301 Work?
301 works exactly like 501 but starts at 301 points instead. It is faster and suits casual games or beginners. The same double-out rule applies. Some players also add a double-in rule — your first scoring dart must land on a double before any points count. This makes the start harder and the whole game more strategic.
How to Score Cricket Darts
Cricket is the second most popular darts format — and the dominant game in the United States. It is a completely different style of play focused on strategy rather than counting down.
Which Numbers Matter in Cricket?
Only seven areas of the board are in play:
20 — 19 — 18 — 17 — 16 — 15 — Bullseye
Every other number on the board is irrelevant in Cricket.
How to Close a Number
To “close” a number, you must hit it three times in any combination:
- Single = 1 mark
- Double = 2 marks
- Triple = 3 marks (closes in one dart)
Once you close a number, no one can score points on it from your side anymore.
How Scoring Works in Cricket
Here is where the strategy comes in. Once you close a number and your opponent has not yet closed it, every additional dart you land on that number scores points.
Example: You have closed 19. Your opponent has not. You hit Triple 19 → 57 points added to your score.
Once your opponent closes the same number, it becomes dead for both players. No more scoring.
How to Win Cricket
To win, you must:
- Close all seven numbers (20 through 15, plus Bull)
- Have equal or more points than your opponent when all your numbers are closed
If you close everything but trail on points, you must score more before your opponent closes their remaining numbers.
Cricket Scoresheet — The Mark System
| Marks Hit | Symbol Used |
|---|---|
| 1 hit | / |
| 2 hits | X |
| 3 hits (closed) | ⊗ (X with a circle) |
Numbers 15 through 20 and “Bull” are listed down the centre of the sheet, with each player’s marks on either side.
Around the Clock — Great for Beginners
Around the Clock (also called Around the World) is one of the best games for players building their accuracy.
How it works:
- Players take turns throwing 3 darts per visit
- You must hit 1 through 20 in order, then the 25 ring, then the bullseye
- You only move forward when you successfully hit your current target
- Doubles and triples count — but do not let you skip numbers
- First player to finish the full sequence wins
This game forces you to aim at every part of the board, not just triple 20. It builds the kind of all-round accuracy that makes you a much better 501 player over time.
Common Darts Scoring Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players make these errors. Knowing them in advance saves a lot of frustration.
Forgetting the double-out rule: Many newcomers do not realise they need a double to finish. Always know which double you are aiming for before you throw your last dart.
Going bust by not calculating first: If you have 20 left and throw two darts without thinking, you might end up on an odd number with no clean double to aim at. Always count before you throw.
Wasting darts on closed numbers in Cricket: Once both players close a number, throwing at it achieves nothing. Pay attention to the scoresheet.
Not planning your Cricket sequence: High numbers (20, 19, 18) give you more scoring potential once closed. Opening them early gives you the advantage.
Leaving yourself on a bad double: In 501, always aim to leave an even number that bisects cleanly. 32 is the ideal finish — miss Double 16, hit 16, aim Double 8. Miss that, hit 8, aim Double 4. It keeps splitting perfectly.
Pro Tips for Smarter Darts Scoring
Always aim for the treble, even if you miss it. A missed triple 20 usually still gives you a single 20 or a 5. Targeting trebles raises your scoring average even on off throws.
Memorise common checkouts. These are the ones you will use most:
- 170 = Triple 20 + Triple 20 + Bullseye (highest possible checkout)
- 40 = Double 20 (fast, clean)
- 32 = Double 16 (most forgiving)
- 20 = Double 10
- 16 = Double 8
Slow down before your checkout dart. Most missed finishes come from rushing. Take a breath, reset your stance, and throw smooth.
Practice doubles every session. Set aside 10 minutes to throw only at doubles, starting from Double 1 and working to Double 20. This builds the muscle memory you need when the pressure is on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest score you can get in one turn of darts? 180 points — achieved by hitting Triple 20 with all three darts.
Can you finish 501 on a single? No. Your final dart must land on a double or the inner bullseye.
What happens when you go bust in 501? Your score resets to what it was at the start of that turn. Your three darts scored nothing.
How do you close the bullseye in Cricket? You need three marks. The inner bull counts as two marks and the outer bull counts as one. So hitting inner bull then outer bull closes it in two darts.
What is a leg in darts? A leg is one complete game of 501, from the opening throw to the final checkout. Matches are usually “best of” a set number of legs.
What does double-in mean? In some 301 formats, your first scoring dart must land on a double before any points count. It makes the start of each leg harder and more strategic.
Wrapping Up
Scoring in darts comes down to a few core ideas. Every zone on the board has a clear value — singles score face value, doubles score twice, triples score three times, outer bull scores 25, and inner bull scores 50. In 501, you count down and must finish on a double. A bust resets your turn. Cricket is about closing numbers before your opponent and scoring points while they are still open.
Once those basics click, the rest of the game opens up naturally. You start thinking about checkout routes, positioning your score on clean numbers, and using strategy rather than just throwing hard.
The best thing you can do now is grab a set of darts and start throwing. The board will teach you faster than any guide can.
