How to Hang a Dart Board Cabinet | Mounting Without Guesswork

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Hanging a dart board cabinet looks like a quick weekend job, but one measurement mistake leaves the bullseye an inch off — and that changes how the game plays. The core trick is to measure from the wall’s regulation height to the cabinet’s internal hangar, not from the cabinet’s outer edge. Whether you’re mounting a steel-tip or soft-tip setup, the standard bullseye height stays the same: 5 feet 8 inches (68 inches) from the floor to the center of the bullseye.

Finding the Right Mounting Height

The most reliable method starts on the wall, not with the cabinet. Mark the regulation bullseye height first, then work backward to where the cabinet sits. Winmau’s official setup instructions confirm the standard for both steel-tip and soft-tip boards.

Cabinet designs vary in how they hold the board, and that changes where the cabinet hangs. One guide notes the cabinet’s top-to-bullseye relationship can differ between models, so you must measure the distance from the cabinet’s internal hanger point to the bullseye center before marking the wall. Without that step, you’re guessing — and guessing usually lands the bullseye off-center.

Before you start, gather these tools:

• Stud finder
• Level
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Drill with pilot bits
• Screws or wall anchors

How to Measure the Cabinet’s Internal Bullseye Position

Place the cabinet face up on a table or the floor and open the doors. Center the dartboard inside the cabinet, then measure from the cabinet’s bottom edge (or its mounting reference point) straight up to the bullseye center. Write that number down — it’s the key to correct placement.

Next, transfer that measurement to the wall. With your bullseye mark set at 5 ft 8 in, work downward by the distance you just measured. That tells you where the cabinet’s bottom edge should sit. This one step separates a regulation-perfect installation from an off-height one. Do not rely on the cabinet’s outer edge; the bullseye center is what matters for proper play.

Once you’ve marked the wall position, hold the cabinet up and check it with a level before committing to screw holes. Failing to check level leaves the cabinet crooked even when the bullseye height is correct — a mistake that’s easy to make and annoying to fix.

Securing the Cabinet to the Wall

Locate the wall studs with a stud finder and mark their centers. Consumer guidance consistently recommends screwing into studs for the strongest mount. Multiple sources agree studs are typically spaced 16 inches apart, which conveniently matches the mounting-hole spacing on many cabinets.

The hardware situation depends on your cabinet model. Many cabinets ship with pre-drilled holes; if yours has them, align those holes with your wall marks and drive screws through. If your cabinet lacks pre-drilled holes, you’ll need to drill four mounting points — one near each corner — keeping them no more than 16 inches apart. Some cabinets use a wall bracket or U-shaped hanger instead, so check what came in the box before drilling anything.

For non-stud walls, wall anchors work when the wall material requires them. When in doubt, follow the hardware kit your cabinet includes. If your wall demands anchors, use them; a securely anchored cabinet beats a stud-mounted one that’s not possible.

After the cabinet is secure, mount the dartboard inside using the included screws, hanger, or bracket system. Rotate the board so the 20 segment sits at the top — that’s where players expect it.

Hanging a Dart Board Cabinet Without Common Mistakes

First, mounting by the cabinet’s outer edge instead of the bullseye center throws off the regulation height. Second, skipping the level check leaves a tilted board that changes how darts land. Third, ignoring studs leads to a cabinet that pulls away from the wall over time.

Cabinet design affects the final wall position, and the fix is almost always a small measurement correction.

Space matters too. One guide recommends at least 8 feet of clearance between the throwing area and the wall — plenty of room for a proper throw without clipping the cabinet. Before drilling, confirm the wall width gives you that space.

For a quality cabinet that arrives ready to hang with the right hardware included, see our roundup of the best dart board cabinets on the market.