How to score darts 501, with checkouts explained

Each player starts on 501 and takes away what they score with three darts. The first to reach exactly zero, with the last dart in a double or the bullseye, wins the leg. Everyone's happy to throw; nobody wants to be the one with the chalk doing subtraction in their head, so here's how the board scores, how to finish, and what counts as a bust.

In short

Each player starts on 501 and takes away what they score with three darts. First to exactly zero wins the leg.

You must finish on a double (the outer ring) or the bullseye, which counts as double 25.

If you go below zero, land on exactly 1, or hit zero without a double, it's a bust: your score goes back to what it was before that turn.

1. How does a dartboard score?

The board is split into 20 numbered segments. Each one has four scoring areas:

Single: the big areas. Score the number.
Double: the thin outer ring. Score twice the number.
Treble: the thin inner ring. Score three times the number.
Bull: the centre. The inner bull (bullseye) scores 50, and the outer bull (the green ring around it) scores 25.

Anything outside the outer double ring scores nothing.

The highest score with three darts is 180: three treble 20s.

Under World Darts Federation (WDF) rules, a dart only scores if it stays in the board. Darts that bounce out or fall out aren't rethrown.

2. How do you play 501?

Both players start on 501.
Take turns to throw three darts.
Add up the three darts, and take that total away from your score.
Keep going until someone reaches exactly zero.
The last dart must be a double or the bullseye.

That's one leg. A match is usually the best of several legs, or sets of legs.

To decide who throws first, WDF rules use a bull-up: each player throws one dart at the bull, and whoever lands nearer the centre goes first.

3. Why do you have to finish on a double?

That's the rule that makes 501 a game of skill rather than luck. It's often called double out.

To finish, your last dart must land in the double that equals your remaining score. So:

On 40, you need double 20.
On 32, you need double 16.
On 50, you need the bullseye, which WDF rules count as double 25.

You can use your other darts to set it up. On 60, you might throw a single 20, then go for double 20.

4. What is a bust in darts?

A bust means the whole turn doesn't count. Under WDF rules, it's a bust if:

you score more than you had left
you reach exactly zero, but not with a double
you're left on 1, which can't be finished, because there's no double 0.5

When you bust, your score goes back to what it was at the start of that turn, your turn ends, and it's your opponent's throw.

Example: you're on 32. Your first dart hits single 16 (leaving 16). Your second dart hits single 16. That's zero, but not on a double, so it's a bust. You're back on 32.

5. How do I keep score?

Use a board, a whiteboard or a notepad with two columns, one per player.

Write 501 at the top of each column.
After each turn, write the score thrown, then the new total underneath.
Call the score out loud so the thrower can check it.
When a player is on 170 or less, many scorers also call out what's left, so they can plan their finish.

Quick sums help. A tip: 501 minus 100 is 401, minus 60 is 341. Round numbers are easier, so take away tens first, then units.

6. What are the most common checkouts?

A checkout is the score you finish on. These are some common ones:

Remaining	One way to finish
40	Double 20
32	Double 16
36	Double 18
50	Bull
60	20, double 20
81	Treble 19, double 12
100	Treble 20, double 20
121	Treble 17, treble 10, double 20
141	Treble 20, treble 19, double 12
170	Treble 20, treble 20, bull

There are often several ways to finish a score. Players pick the one that suits their favourite doubles.

Why do players like 32?

Because if you miss double 16 and hit single 16, you're left on 16, which is double 8. Miss that into single 8 and you're on 8, which is double 4. A score that keeps halving gives you more chances.

7. What is the highest checkout in darts?

170 is the highest checkout: treble 20, treble 20, bullseye. It's often called the "big fish".

With two darts, the highest finish is 110: treble 20 then the bull.

8. Which numbers can't be checked out?

Some scores below 170 can't be finished with three darts. We checked every possible combination, and they are:

159, 162, 163, 165, 166, 168 and 169.

Players call these bogey numbers. If you're on one, you need to score enough to set up a finish next turn.

9. What is double in?

Some games also make you start on a double: your score doesn't begin to count down until you hit one. It's called double in.

It's not part of standard 501. The PDC uses double in only at one tournament, the World Grand Prix in Dublin. If someone suggests it at the pub, it's a house rule, so agree before you start.

10. How do I practise checkouts?

A few simple drills, from us:

Round the doubles. Throw at double 1, then double 2, and so on to double 20, then the bull. Count how many darts it takes.
Favourite doubles. Pick two doubles you like, such as 16 and 20, and throw nine darts at each.
Random finishes. Pick a number between 41 and 100 and try to check out within three turns.
Learn your sums. Work out your route before you step up, so you aren't counting mid-throw.

11. What's the right height and distance for a dartboard?

Under WDF rules:

The centre of the bull is 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) from the floor.
The oche (throwing line) is 2.37 m (7 ft 9¼ in) 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. Measuring this is a handy way to check your set-up.

Do I need an app for this?

Keeping score in a busy pub, with three darts, two players and a pint each, is where mistakes creep in. A chalkboard works. So does a notepad.

Apps can do the subtraction for you:

DartCounter has a free tier and a paid Ultimate tier. It runs on iPhone, Android and the web.
A pub scoreboard, if there's one by the board.

For other games, see snooker scoring explained and padel scoring explained.

How Reptyl helps

Reptyl Scoreboard keeps score with friends at 18 sports and games, darts included.

Each sport keeps its own rules. Darts is scored by its own rules, so nobody has to do the subtraction.
The rules, one tap away. Each sport has a short sheet on how its scoring works, which settles most arguments.
Up to 8 players. Singles, doubles or teams, and up to 8 players in games like darts, each with their own colour.
A table of who's winning. Wins, draws and losses for everyone you play. Share any result in a tap.
Share with friends nearby. Show a live score on a friend's phone over your local network. Nothing goes online.

It's a one-off purchase with no subscription, no account and no adverts, and your data stays on your phone. The Scoreboard page has the details.

Quick answers

Do you have to finish on a double in 501?

Yes, in standard 501. Your last dart must land in the double ring or the bullseye, and it must bring your score to exactly zero.

What happens if you go below zero in darts?

It's a bust. The turn doesn't count, and your score goes back to what it was before you threw.

Is the bullseye a double?

Yes. Under WDF rules, the bullseye counts as double 25, so you can finish on 50 with it.

Want a scoreboard that does the sums? See Reptyl Scoreboard