How to Hang a Dartboard: Everything You Need to Know

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Last updatedLast updated: October 07, 2024
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If you are new to the game of darts, you might think that adding a board to your rec room is a piece of cake. While the job certainly isn’t difficult, it isn’t something that you can throw together in ten minutes either. There is a lot of prep work that needs to be completed before you can start throwing sharp darts around your basement. You will need to make sure you have the proper spacing and correct equipment to make sure that your room doesn’t take any damage. You also need to make sure that no one will be at any risk of injury either.

Once this is figured out, you will then need to actually hang the board or dart cabinet. This is simple, but again, it depends on the proper measurements being followed. You need to make sure that the board is the right height and you are the correct distance away to play by the rules. As you can see, there is a lot to think about. But don’t worry! We will guide you through it all.

What you’ll need

How to Hang a Dartboard: Everything You Need to Know

In order to properly install your new dartboard, you are going to need different tools. You will need

  • a drill,
  • a screwdriver,
  • a tape measure.

Thankfully, whether you decide to go with a dartboard by itself or a dartboard cabinet, you will get all of the necessary hardware with your purchase. You will also need to get a floor covering of some type, as well as something to protect your walls. That way, you can really let it fly once it is all set up!

Choose the right space

How to Hang a Dartboard: Everything You Need to KnowBefore you start throwing up your dartboard or cabinet, you first need to consider the space that you want to use. You will need about 8 feet of clearance Trusted Source Darts - Wikipedia Darts or dart-throwing is a competitive sport in which two or more players bare-handedly throw small sharp-pointed missiles known as darts at a round target known as a dartboard. en.wikipedia.org from the wall to where you will stand to throw the darts. You also want to make sure that you have about 5 feet on either side so that you can protect other walls from any bouncing darts or misthrows.

Finally, you also want to be certain to avoid any walls that have a door on them. The last thing that you want is for someone to walk into a dart as you are throwing.

Prepare the flooring

Once you have found the perfect location for your dartboard, you will need to prepare your flooring. No matter what kind of floor you have, you should put down a dart mat. That way, you will be able to protect your floors from missed throws and your darts from getting too dull. These mats also serve as the perfect way to visualize exactly how far away you need to be when you are playing. They are designed to be just long enough so that everyone is always following the rules.

Protect the wall

No matter if you are hanging your dartboard on drywall, concrete, wood, or plaster, it is a good idea to protect it. There are two different ways that you can go about this, which include installing a backing or using a dartboard cabinet.

Backing for a dartboardHow to Hang a Dartboard: Everything You Need to Know

One of the ways that you can protect your wall is to put up dartboard backing behind it. This cork-like surface is perfect for protecting your walls since it will stop the darts from getting to your walls at all. They come in different sizes and shapes too, which will allow you to find the one that works best for your needs.

Dartboard cabinet

Another way that you can protect your walls from errant throws is by getting a dartboard cabinet. These cabinets open up quite wide, which provides extra protection for the walls underneath. These cabinets also act as storage units to keep all of your darts more organized. With a complete dartboard cabinet set, like this one from Viper, the wall and the dartboard will be fully protected.

How high?

No matter what type of dartboard you decide to purchase, you will need to hang it at the same height. This is true for soft and hard tipped darts. When hanging the dartboard, you want the bulls-eye, or the center of the board, to be exactly 5 feet and 8 inches Trusted Source Darts | game | Britannica Darts, indoor target game played by throwing feathered darts at a circular board with numbered spaces. The game became popular in English inns and taverns in the 19th century and increasingly so in the 20th. www.britannica.com off of the ground. You also need to make sure that the 20 point range is facing straight up when you are done hanging the board.


Distance

The distance of your dartboard will fluctuate a bit depending on the kind of board that you are using. If you have steel tipped darts, then you will need to stand 7 feet and 9 ¼ inches from the board when you throw. For soft-tipped darts, you should be exactly 8 feet from the board. Please note, you need to make sure that these distances are measured from the front of the board, not from the wall. If you measure from the wall, then you will not be far enough away from the board.

How to hang a dartboard without fixing it to a wallHow to Hang a Dartboard: Everything You Need to Know

If you don’t want to take the time to install your dartboard on a wall, or you want to play on the go, then getting a good dartboard stand is a great option. Stands are lightweight (this one form GRAN darts, for example, weighs less than 6 pounds), portable, and very easy to setup. This makes them good for anyone that doesn’t have a lot of tools to permanently install it on their wall.

Final thoughts

As you can see, there are definitely some important considerations that you need to keep in mind when you are hanging your dartboard. You need to make sure to measure your space so that you can be certain to have enough room to throw the darts safely. You also need to take the time to figure out the proper distance from the board to your throwing line so that you are playing by the rules.

Once the measuring is done, you will have to prep the floor and the wall so that they are both protected from errant throws. Next, you will need to hang the dartboard or cabinet at the proper height. Thankfully, once you know how to hang a dartboard, these challenges shouldn’t be an issue at all.

References

1.
Darts - Wikipedia
Darts or dart-throwing is a competitive sport in which two or more players bare-handedly throw small sharp-pointed missiles known as darts at a round target known as a dartboard.
2.
Darts | game | Britannica
Darts, indoor target game played by throwing feathered darts at a circular board with numbered spaces. The game became popular in English inns and taverns in the 19th century and increasingly so in the 20th.
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