Darts Scoring Rules: Complete Guide for 301 & 501

The basic rules of darts

Darts 301 and 501 are the two most widely played variants in the world. The name refers to the starting score: in 301 each player starts at 301 points; in 501 at 501 points. All other rules are identical.

Each player throws three darts per turn. The score per dart is added up and subtracted from the total. The first player to reach exactly zero wins the leg.

In competition, games are typically structured in legs and sets. You win a leg by reaching zero first; you win a set by winning a predetermined number of legs (for example best of 3 or 5).

How scoring works

A standard dartboard has 20 numbered segments (1–20), a bullseye in the centre and double rings on the outside. The score values are as follows:

• •Single segment: the face value (1–20 points)
• •Double (outer narrow ring): 2× the face value
• •Triple / treble (inner narrow ring): 3× the face value
• •Bull's eye (outer circle): 25 points
• •Double Bull / Bullseye (inner circle): 50 points — also counts as a double

The maximum score per turn is 180 points: three triple 20s (T20 + T20 + T20 = 60 + 60 + 60). This is called a '180' or 'maximum' and is the holy grail of darts.

Double-out and the finish rule

The standard rule in professional darts is 'double-out': your final dart must land in a double segment or the bullseye (50) to win the game. To do this, your remaining score must be exactly an even number (divisible by 2) or 50 (bull).

Remaining score of 32? Throw D16. Remaining 40? D20. Remaining 50? Bullseye. The highest possible checkout is 170: T20 + T20 + Bull.

ScoreApp automatically shows checkout suggestions when your remaining score is 170 or lower. See the full checkout table on our tool page.

Bust: when your score is forfeited

A 'bust' occurs in three situations:

• ✕Your score goes below zero (you throw more than your remaining score)
• ✕You land exactly on 1 (you cannot finish on 1, as there is no 'double 0.5')
• ✕You reach zero but not via a double (under double-out rules)

On a bust, the three darts of that turn do not count. Your score reverts to what it was at the start of that round. You effectively lose that turn.

Calculating your 3-dart average

The 3-dart average (simply 'average') is the most common performance metric in darts. It is calculated as:

Suppose you play 501 and win in 21 darts (7 rounds). Your average is 501 ÷ 7 = 71.57 per 3 darts. Professional players average 100+ per round; elite players reach 110–115 or higher.

Performance level benchmarks (501, double-out):

• •Beginner: 20–45 average
• •Intermediate: 45–70 average
• •Semi-pro: 70–90 average
• •Pro / competitive: 90–110+ average

ScoreApp calculates and displays your 3-dart average automatically per game and saves it in your progress tracker.

Common scoring mistakes

• Forgetting that the triple ring next to 20 can be triple 1

  The board has a specific layout. Familiarise yourself with segment positions to avoid confusion.

• Not checking whether your remaining score is even before attempting to finish

  With an odd remaining score you cannot finish on a double. Move your score to an even number first (e.g. with a single) and then go for the double.

• Ignoring a bust and continuing

  A bust is final for that turn. The score must always be reverted to what it was before that round.

• Tracking averages manually

  Manual tracking leads to arithmetic errors. Use ScoreApp to track your average automatically.

Frequently asked questions