Games Lawn Darts Rules
how to playLawn Darts Rules: Scoring, Target Setup & Safe Play
This guide uses the EastPoint soft-tip basic game: lob modern non-sticking darts underhand toward a ring, score one for each dart inside, and cancel opposing hits. Agree a target such as 15 or 21 before starting. Other sets and scoring variants can use different rules.
- 2 players or 2 teams of 2 PLAYERS
- AGES 8+ with adult supervision (soft-tip sets)
- Under 5 min SETUP
- About 40 ft of open lawn, end to end
What you need
- A modern soft-tip or weighted-base lawn dart set (4 darts, usually 2 colors)
- Two target rings, one for each end of the playing field
- A flat, open patch of grass with nothing breakable nearby
- A scorecard for the agreed target, such as 15 or 21
Need the gear? See our lawn darts picks before game day.
How to play lawn darts
- Set up the two ringsPlace the rings and mark the throwing lines using your soft-tip set's instructions. Agree any shorter family distance before play and keep the landing area clear.
- Split into teams and pick colorsPlay one-on-one or two-on-two. Each player or team takes one color of darts. In doubles, partners stand at opposite rings so the game flows back and forth.
- Throw underhand onlyStanding at your throwing line, toss the dart underhand in a gentle arc toward the far ring. No overhand chucking, ever. The goal is a soft, lobbed landing inside the ring.
- Both players throw, then scoreEach player throws all their darts (usually two each) at the opposite ring before anyone walks down to check. Wait until all darts have landed before stepping onto the field.
- Score one per inside dartAfter every dart has landed, count one point per inside dart and cancel matching opposing hits. Record the remaining points for one side, collect the darts, and play the next round.
- Reach the agreed targetKeep adding the net round points until one side reaches the agreed target. Use 3 for a quick game or 15 or 21 for a longer game; this EastPoint basic version has no exact-score bust.
Scoring
- EastPoint soft-tip basic scoring: each dart inside the ring after the round earns 1 point. Outside darts earn zero.
- If a dart rests on the ring, the maker counts it inside when more than half of its tip is inside the ring.
- Cancel each opposing inside dart one for one. Only the side with extra inside darts scores the difference; equal counts score zero.
- Agree a winning target before play. The maker suggests 3 for a quick game, or 15 or 21 for a longer one. This basic game has no exact-score bust rule.
Keeping score on paper? Print the free lawn darts score sheet. No signup needed.
Distance & setup
Fun variations
- Singles vs doubles: one-on-one for a quick duel, or two-on-two with partners at opposite rings for a longer match.
- Closest-dart and three-point scoring belong to other variants, such as Handly Cup; do not combine them with this one-point basic game.
- Kids' version: move the rings closer together and shorten the toss line so younger players can reach the target.
- Match play: agree best of three games to your chosen target before starting.
Lawn Darts rules FAQ
Are lawn darts illegal?
The traditional lawn darts, often called Jarts, were banned from sale in the United States in 1988 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Canada banned them too. The ban turns on the design, not on what the tip is made of: 16 CFR 1306.4(c)(1) describes lawn darts as devices with elongated tips, meant to be used outdoors, designed so that when thrown into the air they contact the ground tip first and stick in it. The regulation's own description covers a metal or weighted plastic body, so "it isn't metal" is not what makes a set legal. What is sold legally today are sets built not to stick: soft, rounded, or weighted-base tips that land flat instead of spearing in. Those are what we recommend for any backyard.
How far apart should lawn dart rings be?
Use the spacing specified for your soft-tip set, then mark both throwing lines. Distances vary by equipment. Agree a shorter family setup before play if needed and keep it consistent for the game.
How do you score lawn darts?
In the EastPoint soft-tip basic game, each inside dart scores 1. Opposing inside darts cancel, so only one side adds the difference. Agree a target such as 15 or 21; this version does not require an exact-score finish.
How do you throw a lawn dart?
Throw underhand in a gentle arc toward the far ring. The soft or weighted-base dart should settle on the ground. Wait for all darts to land before anyone enters the landing area.
Are soft-tip lawn darts safe for kids?
Soft-tip and weighted-base sets are much safer than the banned metal versions and are generally fine for kids 8 and up with adult supervision. Keep everyone clear of the landing area while darts are in the air, and make sure no one walks down the field until all darts have landed.
Ready to play?
Grab a set and start your league this weekend. See the lawn darts sets we picked and what comes in each box.