DartMate guide
How to calculate your 3-dart average
The formula, a quick calculator, and what your number means.
The formula
3-dart average = points scored ÷ darts thrown × 3
It is the average score per visit of three darts. Count every dart you throw, including darts that miss the board and darts in a bust visit (a bust scores 0). When you check out with your first or second dart, count only the darts you actually threw.
Example: you win a leg of 501 in 18 darts: 501 ÷ 18 × 3 = 83.5. Lose a leg after scoring 420 in 21 darts: 420 ÷ 21 × 3 = 60.
What is a good average?
| 3-dart average | Rough level |
|---|---|
| Under 40 | Beginner |
| 40–60 | Regular pub player |
| 60–75 | Strong league player |
| 75–90 | County and top amateur standard |
| 90+ | Professional; the best average about 95–105 on TV |
These bands are a common rule of thumb, not an official scale.
First 9 average
Your first 9 average uses only the first three visits of each leg. Nobody is aiming at a double yet, so it measures pure scoring. A big gap between your first 9 and your overall average usually means points are being lost on the way in, between 100 and the double.
Checkout percentage
There are two ways to count it:
- Per dart (TV and most league stats): doubles hit ÷ darts thrown at a double. Three darts at D16, the third hits: 1 ÷ 3 = 33%.
- Per visit (DartMate): visits that finished the leg ÷ visits that started on a finish (170 or less and not a bogey number).
How to raise your average
- Group on one bed. Most of your darts go at 20. If your misses drift into 1 and 5, try the 19 bed, where the neighbours are 7 and 3.
- Play to a target. Practise against an opponent a little above your average so every leg is close.
- Track it every session. A trend over 20 matches tells you more than any single night.
Common questions
How do you work out a 3-dart average?
Divide the total points you scored by the number of darts you threw, then multiply by 3. 501 points in 18 darts is 501 ÷ 18 × 3 = 83.5.
What is a good 3-dart average?
As a rough guide: under 40 is a beginner, 40 to 60 is a solid pub player, 60 to 75 is a strong league player, 75 to 90 is county standard and the best professionals average between about 95 and 105 in televised matches.
What is the first 9 average?
The 3-dart average of your first nine darts in each leg. It shows your scoring power before checkout pressure, so it is usually higher than your overall average.
How is checkout percentage calculated?
TV statistics divide doubles hit by darts thrown at a double. DartMate counts per visit: the share of visits where you could finish that you actually won the leg.
Let the app do the maths
DartMate scores 301, 501 and 701 for up to four players, calls every score like a stage caller, shows the checkout route as soon as you're on a finish and keeps your 3-dart average, first 9 and checkout rate. Practise against DartBot set to your level.
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