How to Score Darts Like a Pro (Free Digital Scorer)

Darts is one of those games that looks simple until you try to keep score. If you have ever stood at a board fumbling with mental math while your opponent waits, you know the frustration. The scoring rules are straightforward once you learn them, but tracking everything by hand — especially in a game of 501 or Cricket — slows the game down and invites errors.

Our free Darts Scorer handles all the math instantly so you can focus on throwing. This guide explains the major darts game formats, how scoring works in each one, and how to use the digital scorer to run a smooth, professional-feeling game night.

Understanding the Dartboard Layout

Before diving into scoring, make sure you understand what each section of the board is worth. The dartboard is divided into 20 numbered segments arranged in a specific (non-sequential) order designed to penalize inaccuracy.

• Single area: The large sections between the outer wire and the triple ring, and between the triple ring and the bull. Worth face value (1-20).
• Double ring: The narrow outer ring. Worth double the face value. Hitting double 20 scores 40.
• Triple ring: The narrow inner ring (about halfway between the bull and the outer edge). Worth triple the face value. Triple 20 scores 60 — the highest single-dart score on the board.
• Outer bull (single bull): The green ring around the center. Worth 25 points.
• Inner bull (double bull or bullseye): The red center circle. Worth 50 points and counts as a double.

How to Score 501 (The Standard Game)

501 is the most widely played darts format and the standard in professional competition. Here is how it works step by step:

Starting score: Each player begins with 501 points. The goal is to reach exactly zero.

Each turn: You throw three darts. Add up the total score of your three darts and subtract it from your remaining points. For example, if you hit single 20, triple 19, and single 5, that is 20 + 57 + 5 = 82. Your score drops from 501 to 419.

The checkout rule: You must finish on a double. Your final dart must land in a double segment (or the inner bullseye). The Darts Scorer suggests optimal checkout combinations so you always know the best path to zero.

Busting: If you score more than your remaining total, reach exactly 1, or hit zero without your last dart being a double, your turn is void and your score resets.

How to Score Cricket

Cricket is the second most popular darts game, especially in casual play. It uses only the numbers 15 through 20 plus the bullseye.

The objective: Close all seven numbers (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and bull) before your opponent while accumulating the most points.

Closing a number: You need to hit a number three times to close it. Singles count as one mark, doubles count as two marks, and triples count as three marks. A single triple 20 closes the 20s immediately.

Scoring points: Once you have closed a number but your opponent has not, any additional hits on that number add points to your total (at face value). Once both players have closed a number, it is dead — no more points can be scored on it.

Winning: You win by closing all numbers AND having equal or more points than your opponent. If you close everything first but have fewer points, you must keep scoring on numbers your opponent has not closed.

Tracking Cricket by hand on a chalkboard is manageable but tedious. The digital scorer displays marks, open numbers, and point totals at a glance, which keeps the game moving.

How to Score Around the Clock

Around the Clock is a simpler format that is great for beginners and for practicing accuracy across the entire board.

The rules: You must hit each number in sequence from 1 through 20, then finish with the bullseye. You get three darts per turn. Only the current target number counts — hitting anything else is wasted. Doubles and triples of your target number count (they do not let you skip ahead in standard rules). The first player to hit all 21 targets wins.

Setting Up a Game on the Digital Scorer

Using the Darts Scorer is straightforward. Select your game type (501, Cricket, or others), enter the player names, and start throwing. After each turn, tap the segments you hit and the scorer updates automatically. It handles all subtraction, tracks whose turn it is, flags busts in 501, and displays checkout suggestions when you are in range.

The scorer also tracks statistics across the game — three-dart average, highest turn, checkout percentage, and more. These stats help you identify weaknesses in your game over time. If your three-dart average is below 40, focus on consistency before worrying about flashy triple 20s.

Pro Tips for Better Darts

Aim for triple 19, not triple 20. If you are not consistently hitting the triple 20 bed, the neighboring segments (1 and 5) are punishing misses. Triple 19 is surrounded by higher-value neighbors (7 and 3 are still low, but single 19 is much better than single 1). Many intermediate players improve their average by switching targets.

Learn the common checkouts. Memorize the standard two-dart and three-dart finishes for scores under 170. For example, 170 (the highest possible three-dart checkout) is triple 20, triple 20, bullseye. 100 is triple 20, double 20. 80 is triple 20, double 10. The scorer suggests these, but knowing them speeds up your play.

Practice with purpose. Dedicate sessions to specific skills: 20 minutes on doubles, 20 minutes on a specific triple, 20 minutes playing Around the Clock. Structured practice improves performance faster than casual throwing.

If you enjoy game nights, check out Yahtzee for another classic you can play right in your browser. But when the darts board is calling, open the Darts Scorer and let it handle the numbers. Try it free — no signup required.