Dartboard Point System: What Each Area Scores

On a standard steel-tip dartboard, singles score the numbered value, doubles score twice that value, and trebles score three times it. The outer bull scores 25 and the small inner bullseye scores 50. Your turn’s total is the sum of the scoring darts you throw.

The board tells you what each hit is worth; the game’s rules tell you what to do with those points. In 501, you subtract them from your remaining score.

Dartboard scoring at a glance

The board has 20 numbered wedges, with values from 1 to 20. Each wedge runs from the outer edge towards the centre. The number identifies its base value; the ring determines the multiplier.

Where the dart lands	Points scored	Example
Either large single area of a numbered wedge	Number × 1	Single 20 = 20
Thin outer ring: double	Number × 2	Double 20 = 40
Thin inner ring: treble, also called triple	Number × 3	Treble 20 = 60
Outer bull: ring surrounding the centre bullseye	25	Outer bull = 25
Inner bull: small central circle	50	Inner bull = 50
Outside the outer double ring, or a complete miss	0	Miss = 0

These values are explained in Harrows’ scoring guide; the double, treble and bull values are also specified in section 6.5 of the DRA rulebook.

The two large single areas—one inside the treble ring and one between the treble and double rings—have the same value. Moving closer to the centre does not automatically score more.

Treble 20 is the highest-scoring target, worth 60 points, so it beats the 50-point bullseye. Three treble 20s score 180, the maximum in a three-dart visit.

Worked example: add up three darts

Suppose you hit:

• Treble 19: 3 × 19 = 57
• Single 20: 20
• Double 16: 2 × 16 = 32

Your visit scores 57 + 20 + 32 = 109 points. If you began that visit on 501, your remaining score is 501 − 109 = 392.

You may see those hits written as T19, S20 and D16. The letters mean treble, single and double; the number is the wedge, not the final points value.

How points work in 501

Under the standard DRA format, each player starts a leg on 501, with no double required to begin scoring. Players subtract each valid visit and must reach exactly zero with the final dart landing on a double. A visit allows up to three darts, but ends earlier if you finish or bust. The inner bull counts as double 25, so it can finish a remaining score of 50. DRA rules, sections 6.2–6.3

For example, with 52 remaining, single 20 leaves 32, then double 16 wins the leg. Hitting single 16 instead would leave 16: the dart still scores points, but it does not finish the leg.

A bust occurs if you score too much, leave 1, or reach zero without the required double. The whole visit is cancelled and your remaining score returns to its value at the start of that visit. Thus, from 52, single 20 followed by treble 20 is a bust: you return to 52, not 32. DRA rule 6.3.3

For a complete leg walkthrough, see our 501 scoring and checkout guide.

Which part of the dart determines the score?

Count the segment where the point enters or touches the board, not where the barrel or flight appears to sit. A dart that bounces out or falls out before retrieval scores nothing and cannot be thrown again. Count and record the score before removing the darts. DRA rules 6.2.7 and 6.4.1–6.4.3