How far is the oche from the dartboard?
Officials' detail · The board, the darts and the oche · 3 of 4The centre of the bull is 1.73 m above the floor. A raised oche, 38 mm high and 610 mm long, is set so that its back edge is 2.37 m from the face of the board, measured along the floor. The diagonal from the bull to the back of the oche is 2.93 m. Players' feet must stay behind it.
How it works
- Height: 1.73 m from the floor to the centre of the bull.
- The oche: a raised bar 38 mm high and 610 mm long.
- Distance: 2.37 m from the back of the oche to a plumb line from the board face.
- Diagonal: 2.93 m on the diagonal from the bull to the back of the oche at floor level.
- Feet: behind the oche, and not on it; to the side, behind an imaginary line extending it.
- Breaches: a warning first, then darts thrown from the wrong place do not score.
- Measuring again: a player may ask for the measurements to be checked if the opponent agrees, before a match or between legs, by a WDF official.
- Adapted events: the board height and oche length may be changed for events for disabled players.
The glossary has the oche, the oche distance, the board height, the dartboard, the adapted darts for disabled players and the throw.
Tricky cases
Can a player lean over the oche?
Yes. Only the feet must stay behind it; leaning is allowed.
Can a player stand to the side of the oche?
Yes, if their feet are behind the imaginary line that extends the oche.
The oche seems too close. What can the player do?
Ask for a check before the match or between legs, if the opponent agrees.
Are wheelchair players held to the same height?
No. Member bodies may change the board height and oche length for events for disabled players.
Why the rule exists
Fixed distances make scores comparable from one venue to the next. The diagonal check catches a board hung at the wrong height or distance.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | 1.73 m, 2.37 m, 2.93 m | WDF 6.01 to 6.03 |
| Feet | Behind the oche or its line | WDF 6.04, 6.05 |
| Adapted events | Height and oche changed | WDF 6.08 |
From the rule book
World Darts Federation, Playing and Tournament Rules (twentieth revised edition, 28 February 2018), Playing Rules 6.01 to 6.08. The setup drawing on page 8 was not read. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WDF Playing and Tournament Rules.