Portable Electronic Dart Boards: Recommended Height and Setup

Portable Electronic Dart Boards: Recommended Height and Setup

Why electronic dart board height matters

Setting the correct electronic dart board height and throwing distance ensures fair play, consistent scoring, and player comfort. Whether you install a portable electronic dart board in a bar, home, or event space, following accepted height and distance standards helps players develop consistent technique and keeps your venue tournament-ready.

Official height standards — bull height and horizontal distance

The generally accepted standard for the height of the bull's center is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor for both steel-tip and electronic (soft-tip) dart boards. For horizontal throwing distance, steel-tip tournament rules use 7 feet 9.25 inches (237 cm) from the oche (throw line) to the face of the board. Many electronic/soft-tip leagues and venues use 8 feet (244 cm) as the oche distance. Use the measurement that matches your players' expectations and the competitions you host.

Quick-reference comparison of common standards

The table below compares the key dimensions used in steel-tip and common electronic (soft-tip) setups.

How to measure electronic dart board height and oche correctly

Measure vertical height from the finished playing surface (floor) up to the exact center of the bull. For the horizontal throwing distance, measure from the front surface of the board (not the wall behind it) back to the oche line on the floor. If your portable electronic dart board sits on a stand or cabinet, position the stand so the board's face puts the bull center at 173 cm.

Step-by-step setup for portable electronic dart boards

Follow these practical steps to set up a portable electronic dart board with correct electronic dart board height and alignment:

• Choose location: select a flat, level floor area with at least 2.5 m (8 ft) of clear space behind the throw line and side clearance of 1.5–2 m where possible.
• Mount or place the board: set the board on its portable stand or cabinet and adjust until the bull's center is 173 cm from the floor.
• Measure the oche: from the face of the board (not the frame), measure horizontally to 244 cm for soft-tip play or 237 cm for steel-tip play and mark the toe line.
• Level and secure: ensure the board face is perfectly vertical and use anti-tip brackets or wall anchors if the stand could wobble.
• Calibrate electronics: power on the machine and run any sensor or scoring calibration routines following the manufacturer's instructions.

Lighting, background and surround protection for best play

Good lighting and a neutral background improve visibility and scoring reliability. Mount a dedicated overhead light above the board with 300–500 lux directly on the target area. Avoid placing bright lights behind players. Use cabinet surrounds, cork backing, or dedicated dartboards surrounds to protect walls and reduce bounce-outs — especially important for venues using heavy or high-velocity darts.

Portable stand and mounting tips specific to electronic dart boards

When using a portable stand, ensure it allows precise vertical adjustment so the bull center sits at 173 cm. Confirm the board face is perpendicular to the floor and that the stand base is wide enough to prevent tipping. Many WillDarts portable units include adjustable mounting brackets and leveling feet — use them and secure with supplied fasteners.

Calibration and sensor alignment for reliable scoring

Electronic dart boards rely on sensor arrays to register hits. After mounting, perform any factory-recommended calibration. If you notice consistent misreads near particular segments, check for loose panel modules or misaligned sensors. Periodically update firmware if the manufacturer releases stability or scoring improvements.

Common mistakes when setting electronic dart board height

Avoid these common setup errors: measuring to the wrong point on the board (frame instead of face), using inconsistent oche distances across boards in the same venue, and placing the board too low or high on portable stands. Always re-measure after moving a board or replacing a stand.

Maintenance best practices for portable electronic dart boards

Maintain your portable electronic dart board for longevity and accurate scoring: clean the surface regularly with a soft brush, inspect and tighten module screws, replace worn or damaged segment modules, and protect the board from extreme humidity and temperature. Follow the manufacturer's recommended service intervals for electronics and power components.

Safety and flooring considerations

Protect players and floors by using non-slip mats at the oche, ensuring the standing area is free of trip hazards, and using wall protection or impact-absorbing surrounds to catch stray darts. For high-traffic commercial installations, use heavy-duty floor protection and secure cabinets to walls with anti-tip hardware.

Choosing the right portable electronic dart board for your location

When choosing a portable electronic dart board, consider: ease of setup, sensor reliability, availability of replacement modules, and certifications such as CE and RoHS. WillDarts offers products developed by an experienced R&D team with over 10 years in electronic dart machines, multiple patents, and safety approvals — suitable for bars, clubs, entertainment centers and home use.

How WillDarts supports venues and dealers

WillDarts, founded in 2015, is a leading manufacturer of electric stand-up and portable dart machines in China. Our machines are widely used across bars, clubs, homes and events. We provide technical documentation for correct electronic dart board height and setup, offer spare parts and after-sales service, and invite dealers worldwide to partner with us to grow the dart machine business.

Checklist for installing a portable electronic dart board

Use this quick checklist to verify a safe, regulation-ready installation:

• Bull center at 173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
• Oche set to 237 cm (steel-tip) or 244 cm (electronic/soft-tip) from board face
• Board face perfectly vertical and level
• Overhead lighting providing 300–500 lux on the target
• Wall/cabinet surrounds installed and floor mat at oche
• Electronics calibrated and firmware up to date
• Secure mounting and anti-tip measures in place

Troubleshooting common installation issues

If scoring is inconsistent, recheck mounting level, sensor modules, and cabling. If darts keep bouncing out more than usual, inspect segment modules for wear and replace damaged modules. If multiple boards are used in a venue, standardize the electronic dart board height and oche across all units to avoid player confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the correct electronic dart board height?
A: Set the bull's center at 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) from the floor. This is the accepted standard for both steel-tip and electronic boards.

Q: What oche distance should I use for electronic dart boards?
A: For electronic (soft-tip) play many venues use 244 cm (8 ft). Steel-tip tournaments use 237 cm (7 ft 9.25 in). Choose based on your players or league rules.

Q: How do I measure from the board to the oche?
A: Measure horizontally from the front face of the board (not the frame) back to the oche line on the floor. If using a portable stand, confirm where the face of the board sits relative to the stand frame.

Q: My portable board wobbles. How can I stabilize it?
A: Use the supplied anti-tip brackets, add leveling feet, widen the base, or anchor the stand to the wall if permitted by venue rules.

Q: Do electronic dart boards require calibration?
A: Yes. Most electronic boards have initial calibration steps and periodic checks to maintain scoring accuracy. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Q: Can WillDarts help with dealer partnerships and installation?
A: Yes. WillDarts provides technical support, detailed setup guides for electronic dart board height and placement, and is actively recruiting dealers worldwide to expand distribution. Visit https://www.willdarts.com/ to contact us.

Final recommendations

For the best player experience with a portable electronic dart board, set the bull center to 173 cm, use a consistent oche (237 cm or 244 cm depending on play style), ensure the board is level and secure, and maintain lighting and wall protection. Standardized setup not only improves gameplay but increases the longevity and reliability of your equipment.

Contact and dealer invitation

WillDarts is dedicated to delivering high-quality, certified electronic dart machines with strong R&D support and after-sales service. We welcome dealers and partners worldwide to join us in growing the dart entertainment market. For product details, technical support, or dealer inquiries, visit https://www.willdarts.com/ or contact our sales team.