Installing a dartboard is very simple and can easily be installed by a single person. If you're new to the dartboard set up process, it never hurts to have a friend or teammate assist you.

This guide is written with the assumption that you already have a dartboard and you’re ready to install it. Don’t have a dartboard? Not sure which dartboard to purchase?

Here are a few top choices to consider:

Winmau Blade 5 Dartboard
Unicorn Eclipse Pro Dartboard
Nodor - Professional Level - Supamatch 3 Dartboard

These are quality dartboards that will last longer than cheaply made, less expensive options. Therefore, it’s worth spending $10 or $20 dollars more for a dartboard that will last longer and hold the darts better. Once you have your dartboard, you‘re ready to get started.

Regardless of where the dartboard will be installed, it's important to always try to provide a great dart playing experience. Whether you're installing a dartboard at home, or in a pub or bar, one way to do this, is to always start with a new dartboard or a board in excellent condition.

Follow the Instructions to Prepare the Dartboard
Now is the time to pull out the small instruction guide that came with your dartboard (check the box). In addition to the tools listed in this guide, you’ll also need the parts that came with your dartboard.

In the dartboard box, the dartboard came in, you should find a small packet or plastic bag. The packet contains several components to assist with the dartboard setup process. Generally, the packet includes a dartboard bracket, the 3 small screws, 3-6 small nails, and the 3 small, black rubber knobs (or metal spacers.) Depending on the dartboard manufacturer, the box will contain either the black rubber knobs or metal spacers.

Sample packet containing parts and instruction for dartboard set up. This packet (or one similar) comes with all new dartboards.

Once you decide where you’re going to hang/install the dartboard, you now need to decide if you’re going to utilize a backboard or a pre-made dartboard case (the least recommended for a bar/pub). It is highly recommended to utilize a surround and/or a backboard.

Similar to a backboard, the dartboard case would also get installed on the wall first, with the dartboard hung inside the case. Depending on the material of the wall, e.g. drywall, cement, paneling, etc., you may also need to adjust your tools.

Details for both options are below.
If you are installing the dartboard at a venue that will be participating in a dart league, keep in mind the venue, bar or pub, as well as the dart league itself, may have their own rules and policies for hanging a dartboard and creating a throwing area around the board.

Additionally, you have to consider other factors such as leaving enough space for a scoreboard, and enough space for a scorekeeper to stand next to the dartboard. This concludes the dartboard preparation section.

Not a Bar or Pub Owner?
If you are installing your dartboard in your home, the information on the 'Bar and Pub Owners section' is an optional read, but will no doubt be very helpful. However, you can also scroll directly to the 'INSTALLATION OPTIONS WHEN HANGING YOUR DARTBOARD' section, below.

• First, prepare the wall where the board will be hung. Naturally, the wall should be level, clean, be able to be drilled into, and strong enough to hold the weight of a dartboard and an optional backboard or surround. Remember, the wall should have at least 2-3 ft. on each side of the board for a scorekeeper to stand and for a scoreboard to be installed. Ideally, the space should also be in close proximity to an electrical outlet to plug in the light, lamp or LED light ring to illuminate the dartboard.

• The dartboard should not be installed near a door or doorway of a kitchen, near bathroom doors, near the area of the bar where servers pick up drinks, or near the entrance or exit of the establishment, bar/pub.

• The dartboard should be well lit. One of the best ways to provide proper lighting is by installing a dedicated lamp or light fixture no less than 6” - 12” above the dartboard. The light or lamp should be positioned so as not to cast shadows on the board. Bar/pub owners should not rely on the existing lighting in the venue to provide the proper dartboard lighting and a great dart playing experience, because it won’t. For the best lighting set up, consider a professional, LED light ring. Here are two examples (Example 1: Unicorn Solar Flare Integrated Illuminated Pro Surround - 360 Degrees LED , Example 2: Target Corona Vision Lighting System .)

• Decide if you’re going to utilize a surround such a plain, black surround or a backboard (Backboard Example 1, Backboard Example 2). Consider asking your beer distributor if they can provide a backboard (Budweiser, Coors or other.)

• Even if the bar, pub, etc., is very crowded with a lot of servers, patrons/customers, the dartboard should be hung on a wall that is in a low-to-no traffic area. Meaning, the dartboard should not be set up in a way that would allow servers, bartenders or customers to walk in front of, or too close to the oche/throwline, the person throwing the darts, or the board itself. Even movement from objects or people in the peripheral vision of the dart player is a distraction you’ll want to avoid.

• When possible, an ideal dartboard set up has the oche/throwline set up so that the backs of the person throwing the darts faces the active area of the bar, restaurant, pub, club, etc.

• The dartboard should be hung in an area with enough physical space for other players or a team to congregate or sit or stand in an area or at a table behind the person throwing the darts. As a result, this will allow teammates to watch the game or walk up to the oche/throwline when it is their turn. The person throwing the darts should be able to walk to and from the oche/throwline without distractions or having to walk through patron traffic.

• The dartboard throwing area and the dartboard itself should not be installed near or in the path of an air conditioning vent, fan, an open window, bright lights, a loud jukebox, the bar, or tables or booths where patrons will be eating or drinking.

• It is essential to leave enough room around all sides of the dartboard. Typically, dart leagues have their own rules or policies. But generally, it is safe to leave at least 3’ - 4’ ft. between each dartboard (on the left and right & sides). This also leaves enough room for a scoreboard to be placed on either side of the dartboard, and for a scorekeeper to stand next to the scoreboard. It is also recommended to leave 2' - 4' from the top of the dartboard to the ceiling to leave enough room for proper lighting, a lighting fixture, or dartboard backer and surround.

• Finally, one of the easiest and most important things you can do to provide a great darting experience is to invest in a quality dartboard and take care of it. Simply rotating the dartboard every one-two weeks can extend the life of your dartboard by several months.

Now that you have some insight on how to properly prepare the dartboard and dart throwing area in your bar or pub, you now need to decide how to hang the dartboard.

Whether you’re installing your dartboard in your home, a bar, a pub, a restaurant, or in a club, you have to decide how you want to hang your dartboard. Here are the two primary choices:

Option 1: Hanging your dartboard DIRECTLY ON A WALL (without a backboard or dartboard cabinet.)

Option 2: Hanging your dartboard ON A BACKBOARD or IN A DARTBOARD CABINET

The instructions for Option 1 and Option 2 are explained in detail in the next two sections.

Tools You’ll Need for Option 1: Pencil, hammer, an optional surround (such as a plain, black surround), tape, a level, a tape measure (or the optional Winmau Set Up Pro, or the optional Viper ProThrow Line Marker Tape).

Before You Begin:

Now is the time to refer to the instruction sheet and materials, screws, bracket, etc., that came in the same box as your dartboard. You’ll want to keep the bracket, screws, level, your electric drill, and your pencil within reach.

For your first measurement in Option 1, place the tip of the tape measure against the floor, pulling the tape measure straight up against the wall to 5ft. 8in. (5' 8"). Take your pencil and mark the spot on the wall. This mark indicates where to drill the bracket into the wall, and ultimately hang/install the dartboard on the bracket. The mark will also align with the center of the bullseye on the front of the hung dartboard.

Next, locate the bracket and the two bracket screws that came with your dartboard and keep them within reach. If you bought a new dartboard, the bracket and the bracket screws may have come in a small bag or pouch.

Another close-up of the bracket that comes in the packet used for dartboard set up.

Next, take a small level and place it on top of the bracket to ensure the bracket is level. If you’re confident enough, simply ‘eye it up’ with your own eyes ensuring the bracket is level. Next, while holding the bracket tightly against the wall, take your pencil and make a mark in the holes on both sides of the bracket. With the marks in place, use your electric drill/screwdriver to screw the two screws into both sides of the bracket, tightly securing the bracket to the wall. If possible, the screw the bracket into a wall stud for extra stability.

Be sure the bracket is level when prior to hanging your dartboard.

Finally, with the bracket firmly installed on the wall, the 3 rubber knobs or spacers installed on the back of the dartboard, and the small screw drilled into the center of the dartboard, you’re ready to place the dartboard onto the bracket.

Before moving on to the next steps, it’s time to take one minute to double-check your mark on your wall described in Measurement 1 (measured from the floor, up to 5ft. 8in. /5' 8". When the dartboard is hung, that mark will also align with the center of the bullseye.

Hang the Dartboard on the Bracket
With the bracket firmly secured to the wall, hold the dartboard with one hand on each side, slowly slide the screw on the back of the dartboard into the cut-out, (U-shaped) slot portion of the bracket. Upon sliding the screw into the bracket, the board should feel snug up against the wall with no wiggle room.

As a quick test, place your finger on any far corner of the board and push up and down. If the board wobbles up and down, it’s too loose.

Simply slide the board off the bracket, tighten the small screw (on the back of the dartboard) into the board a little more, and/or adjust the spacers (if they are adjustable). Slide the board back into bracket and test the fit again. Keep adjusting if needed.

Congratulations! Now comes the easy part. Just a few more small steps to go!

Now that the dartboard is up on the wall, it’s time to make the remaining measurements and marks to fully complete your dartboard installation.

Please take a moment to review the measurements in this diagram before continuing to the final steps:

NOTE: Once again, you’ll want to keep the tape measure or (optional) Viper ProThrow Line Marker Tape or (optional) Winmau Set Up Pro), and your pencil, within reach.

Measurement 2 is similar to Measurement 1. However, be sure to take this measurement from the front of the dartboard while the board is hung on the wall. begin, locate your tape measure and grab a dart. With the dartboard hung, stick the point of the dart through the hole at the end of the tape measure and push the tip of the dart into the center of the bullseye on the hung dartboard to hold the tape measure in place. Next, pull the tape measure straight down to the floor. The measurement from the center of the bullseye to the floor should be exactly to 5ft. 8in. (5′ 8″) as shown in Measurement 1. Now, using a piece of tape or a pencil, mark this spot on the floor. (See Measurement 2 in the diagram.)

Remember, if you are taking the measurements by yourself, it helps to have the Winmau Set Up Pro, or the Viper ProThrow Line Marker Tape.

Next, place the tip of the tape measure on the mark you just made on the floor (in Measurement 2), and pull the tape measure straight out away from the dartboard (level with the floor) to 7ft. 9 1/4in. (7' 9 1/4") and mark that spot on the floor with tape or a pencil. See Measurement 3 in the diagram on Page 25 of the Free Downloadable Visual Guide.)

Once again, stick the point of the dart through the hole at the end of the tape measure and push the tip of the dart into the center of the bullseye on the hung dartboard. Now, pull the tape measure out diagonally to 9ft. 7 1/4in. (9' 7 1/4"). (See Measurement 4 in the diagram.)

This diagonal mark should align perfectly with the previous mark you just made on the floor for Measurement 3. This is where to place the front edge of the oche/throwline, or long piece of blue painters tape.

With your dartboard hung on the wall, all that’s left is to place the optional surround around the dartboard and install proper, dedicated lighting above the dartboard.

Tools You’ll Need for Dartboard Set Up: You'll need a pencil, hammer, an optional surround, tape, a level, a tape measure (or the optional Winmau Set Up Pro, or the optional Viper ProThrow Line Marker Tape). You will also need four screws or molly screws to hang the backboard or cabinet on the wall.

Option 2 outlines how to hang your dartboard on a backboard or in a dartboard cabinet. For this option, you must first mount your backboard or cabinet on the wall before you can hang the dartboard.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:
Now is the time to refer to the instruction sheet and materials, screws, bracket, etc., that came with your dartboard. You’ll want to keep the bracket, screws, level, your electric screwdriver/ drill, and your pencil within reach.

For your first measurement in Option 2, you’ll need to mark the center of your backboard or cabinet. Using a tape measure, mark the center on the front of the backboard. This ensures the dartboard is centered and evenly spaced when installed on the backboard. The mark also indicates where the bracket will be installed.

Measure the height of the backboard and divide by two. Subtract that measurement from 5ft. 8in. (5' 8"). That total will indicate how far to measure up the wall from the floor and mark where the bottom edge of the backboard will be placed.

Example: If your backboard measures 36” high, divide by 2 and that gives you 18”. Subtract 18” from 5’8”. (68”-18” = 50”) You should mark the wall 50” from the floor. This will mark the spot for the bottom edge of the backboard.

(Here is where it pays to have a friend help you.)

Using your electric drill, pre-drill your screws halfway into the backboard. This will make it easier to screw into the wall while holding it up. If possible, try to align the screws with the wall studs to ensure support for the weight of the backboard and dartboard. If this is not possible, you may want to use Molly Bolts that will allow support of heavy objects on drywall where no studs are available.

Holding the backboard with one hand on each side, slowly slide the backboard, alingning the bottom edge with your wall mark. With one hand holding the back board, place the level on top to ensure it is even. Now, drill the top two screws into the wall. Again, check if the board is level. If so, drill the bottom two screws into the wall. The hard part is done!

The mark you make at Measurement 1, to indicate the center of the backboard or cabinet, should now be 5’ 8” from the floor and is where the bracket will installed.

Before drilling, take another measurement to be sure it is the correct height. The mark will also align with the center of the bullseye on the front of the hung dartboard.

Mount the Bracket on the Backboard or Cabinet:
Next, place the bracket on the front of the backboard or cabinet, aligning it with the pencil mark you previously made on the front of the backboard or cabinet. Position the bracket so the U-shaped portion at the bottom of the bracket is about 1/8” below the pencil mark, so the pencil mark remains visible.

This is where the screw on the back of your dartboard will rest on the bracket, ensuring the center of the bullseye remains aligned with the pencil mark.

Next, take a small level and place it on top of the bracket to ensure the bracket is level. If you’re confident enough, simply ‘eye it up’ with your own eyes ensuring the bracket is level.

Next, while holding the bracket tightly against the backboard or cabinet, take your pencil and make a mark in the holes on both sides of the bracket. With the marks in place, use your electric drill/screwdriver to screw the screws into the bracket holes. Be sure to tightly secure the bracket to the backboard or cabinet.

Be sure the bracket is level when prior to hanging your dartboard.

Dartboard Screw:
Next, locate the small, standalone screw that came with the dartboard. This screw is a different size than the two bracket screws. Next, locate the pre-made hole or mark directly in the center of the backside of the dartboard. Next, screw the screw into the center mark on the back of the dartboard, but DO NOT screw it all the way in. Leave about 1/8” of space at the top of the screw.

Mount the Dartboard to the Bracket on the Backboard or Cabinet:
Finally, with the bracket firmly installed on the backboard or cabinet, the 3 rubber knobs or spacers installed on the back of the dartboard, and the small screw drilled into the center of the dartboard, you’re ready to place the dartboard onto the bracket.

Holding the dartboard with one hand on each side, slowly slide the screw on the back of the dartboard into the cut-out, (U-shaped) slot portion of the bracket now installed in the backboard or cabinet. Upon sliding the screw into the bracket, the dartboard should feel snug up against the backboard or cabinet with no wiggle room. As a quick test, place your finger on any far corner of the dartboard and push up and down.

If the board wobbles up and down, it’s too loose. Simply slide the board off the bracket, tighten the small screw (on the back of the dartboard) a little more. Slide the board back into bracket and test the fit again. Keep adjusting if needed. If the board still wobbles after adjusting, you can slip folded pieces of cardboard, paper, or a small foam wedge under each side of the dartboard until the dartboard no longer wobbles.

Now that the dartboard is up on backboard or in the cabinet, it’s time to make the remaining measurements and marks to fully complete your dartboard installation.

Congratulations!
Now comes the easy part. Just a few more small steps to go!

Please take a moment to review the measurements in this diagram before proceeding to the remaining steps in Option 2.

NOTE: Once again, you’ll want to keep the tape measure, a level, optional Winmau Set Up Pro, or the optional Viper ProThrow Line Marker Tape and your pencil, within reach.

Measurement 4 is similar to Measurement 3. However, be sure to take this measurement from the front of the dartboard while the board is hung on the backboard or cabinet. (See diagram.)

To begin, locate your tape measure and grab a dart. With the dartboard hung on the backboard or cabinet, stick the point of the dart through the hole at the end of the tape measure and push the tip of the dart into the center of the bullseye on the hung dartboard to hold the tape measure in place. Next, pull the tape measure straight down to the floor.

The measurement from the center of the bullseye to the floor should once again be exactly to 5ft. 8in. (5′ 8″) as shown in Measurement 1. Now, using a piece of tape or a pencil, mark this spot on the floor.

Remember, in lieu of a tape measure, you can use the optional Winmau Set Up Pro, or the optional Viper ProThrow Line Marker Tape.

Next, place the tip of the tape measure on the mark you just made on the floor (in Measurement 2), and pull the tape measure straight out away from the dartboard (level with the floor) to 7ft. 9 1/4in. (7' 9 1/4") and mark that spot on the floor with tape or a pencil

Once again, stick the point of the dart through the hole at the end of the tape measure or optional Winmau Set Up Pro or the optional Viper ProThrow Line Marker Tape and push the tip of the dart into the center of the bullseye on the hung dartboard.

Another close-up of the bracket that comes in the packet used for dartboard set up.

Now, pull the tape measure (or optional Winmau Set Up Pro or the optional Viper ProThrow Line Marker Tape) out diagonally to 9ft. 7 1/4in. (9' 7 1/4").  (If you are taking the measurements by yourself, using the optional Winmau Set Up Pro, or the optional Viper ProThrow Line Marker Tape will help.)

This diagonal mark should align perfectly with the previous mark you made on the floor for Measurement 3. This is where to place the oche/throwline.

If you hung your dartboard on a backboard (not in a cabinet), an optional, final step is to place the optional surround around the dartboard and ensure the proper, dedicated lighting is positioned above the backboard or cabinet, illuminating the dartboard as much as possible. To help with this, it is recommended to use LED lightbulbs instead of traditional yellow bulbs.