A bullseye scores 50 points in standard darts, while the surrounding outer bull scores 25. Here is how both count in 501, checkouts and soft-tip play.
The inner bullseye scores 50 points and the outer bull scores 25. See how the bull works in 501, checkouts and soft-tip darts.
The inner bullseye is worth 50 points in standard darts. The larger ring around it—the outer bull—is worth 25 points. The two central scoring areas are therefore not interchangeable.
| Central area | Score | Common name |
|---|---|---|
| Small inner circle | 50 | Bull, inner bull or bullseye |
| Ring around the inner circle | 25 | Outer bull or single bull |
These are the standard steel-tip values: the board specification gives 50 points to the inner centre ring and 25 to the outer centre ring (BDO rules reproduced by Red Dragon).
A worked 501 example
Suppose you have 75 remaining in a 501 leg:
- Hit the outer bull for 25, leaving 50.
- Hit the inner bull for 50, reaching exactly zero.
That is a valid two-dart checkout in double-out play. The centre bull counts as double 25, so it can be the final dart of a leg. The current Darts Regulation Authority rule book defines a double as including the centre bull and defines a game shot as reaching zero with a double (DRA Rule Book).
If you have exactly 50 left, a single inner bull wins the leg. An outer bull scores only 25 and leaves 25.
Is three bullseyes 150 or 75?
It depends on where the darts land:
- Three inner bulls: 50 + 50 + 50 = 150
- Three outer bulls: 25 + 25 + 25 = 75
- One inner bull and two outer bulls: 50 + 25 + 25 = 100
A 50-point bull is valuable for finishing, but it is not the highest-scoring target for one dart: treble 20 scores 60.
Check the setting in soft-tip darts
Electronic boards can use different bull settings. Under the National Dart Association’s rules, open-in/open-out ’01 uses a full bull worth 50, while Masters double-in/double-out uses a split 25/50 bull. Its Cricket rules also award 25 for the outer bull and 50 for the inner bull (National Dart Association rules).
For a pub board, league match or tournament, check the stated format rather than assuming the whole central area has the same value. For more scoring language, see this guide to darts terms.