Dartboard Accessories
Surrounds, lighting, mounts, and the small parts that keep a dartboard setup running.
Lighting and a surround do more for a home setup than almost anything else you can add.
Buying guide
Dartboard Setup and Accessories Guide
A correct dartboard setup needs three things: the center of the bullseye 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) off the floor, a throw line at the right distance for your darts, and a board that stays put under even light. The accessories here, from the Laserdart Throw Line to brackets, mats and out charts, lock those in. For wall protection, see cabinets and backboards.
How do I measure and mark a throw line?
Hang the board first, then measure along the floor from a point directly below the face of the board.
| Steel tip | Soft tip (NDA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Bullseye height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Throw distance | 7 ft 9¼ in (237 cm) | 8 ft (244 cm) |
| Measured to | Back edge of the line | Front edge of the line |
For steel tip, confirm it with the diagonal: 9 ft 7⅜ in (293.4 cm) from the center of the bull to the back of the line at floor level. The Voks Toe Line Checker measures bull to line in one go, and the Viper Pro Line tape hooks to the board with a dart. Then press down a vinyl strip, or mount the Laser Throw Line to project the line without marking the floor.
Do I need a dart mat?
A mat is worth it on any floor you care about. Dropped darts blunt their points on hard floors, dent hardwood and poke holes in carpet, and a mat gives you a fixed lane to throw from.
The Vinyl Dart Mat is heavy-duty vinyl, 2 ft by 9 ft 9 in, with soft tip and steel tip lines printed on it. Roll it out, line up the mark for your tip type with the board, and your lane is set.
How do I mount a dartboard securely on the wall?
Screw a bracket into a wall stud at the right height, and make sure the board cannot spin or rock. Pick the hardware for your wall:
- Viper QuickFit: a wall track and board slider that lock together, so a board slides off and remounts without new hardware.
- Deluxe Dartboard Bracket: bracket, screws and tension clips for steel tip boards.
- Winmau Edge Corner Bracket: puts a board in a room corner when you have no clear flat wall.
- Dartboard Stabilizer: a set of 3 reusable spring metal shims that stop a board rocking against the wall.
How should I light a dartboard?
Light the board evenly from the front or all the way around, so neither you nor the darts already in the board cast shadows across the rings. A single ceiling light behind you puts your own shadow on the board. For tournaments, WDF rules call for at least two shaded fixtures of 1,600 lumens or more.
- Winmau Polaris Light Ring: mounts around a standard board and runs on a rechargeable power pack, with no cord to the board.
- Shadow Buster: adjustable LED pods that mount to a flat-top cabinet, powered by 4 AA batteries or the 5V Adapter.
LED lighting is fine for a bristle board. Damp air and direct sunlight are what damage sisal.
What is an out chart, and do I need Single Out or Double Out?
An out chart lists a suggested finish for every score you can check out in three darts, so you are not doing the math at the line. Match it to your game: Double Out for steel tip, where 01 games traditionally finish on a double, and Single Out for soft tip games where any segment can finish.
- Wall Out Chart: 14 x 20 in, sized to read from the throw line.
- Pocket Out Chart: 2 x 6 in, small enough for a dart case.
Can I hang a dartboard without drilling into the wall?
Yes. Renters and dorm rooms have two good options:
- Voks Dartboard Door Hanger: sits over a standard door with no assembly, and multiple openings let you set the correct board height.
- Gran Darts Tripod Stand: about 3.5 lb with a carry bag and O and U brackets, and it fits GranBoard models and most bristle boards.
Check that the bull sits 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) off the floor after setup. On a door, add a surround, since the misses land in the door.