180s and checkouts in darts: the two stats that decide legs
TL;DR. 180s count how often a player puts all three darts in the treble 20; checkouts measure how often they close the leg when they get a shot at it. The first is the spectacular stat, the second is the one that wins matches: a player with plenty of 180s and poor finishing loses legs they controlled from start to end.
Note. Informational and statistical content. It is not betting advice nor a promise of profit. No statistic predicts a single match: they are there to estimate probabilities over the long run. 18+ only. Play responsibly.
What each one measures
A 180 is the maximum score in a visit: three darts in the treble 20. It is counted per match, and it is usually expressed as 180s per match so you can compare across formats.
A checkout is the finish. We record both the highest checkout of the match (the biggest score closed in one visit) and the number of finishes by band: 100 or more, 140 or more, and 170. The 170 is the highest possible checkout (T20-T20-Bull) and the rarest of them all.
How to read them
| Statistic | What it signals | High-level reference |
|---|---|---|
| 180s per match | Scoring power and treble-20 consistency | 4 or more in a match of average length |
| Highest checkout | Ability to finish from distance | 100+ finishes on a regular basis |
| 100+ checkouts | Reliability in the closing stretch of a leg | Several per match, not an isolated one |
| 140+ and 170 checkouts | Exceptional finishes; very infrequent | Any of them is notable |
The bands are general references from the sport used to place a level, not a measurement from our database.
Which matters more
Within a leg, scoring fast gets you a shot sooner; finishing is what turns that shot into a won leg. A player with more 180s reaches the finishing zone first, but missing doubles repeatedly hands the opponent exactly what they need: time.
The useful read is the combination. Plenty of 180s and good finishing describes a dominant player. Plenty of 180s with poor finishing describes a volatile one, capable of winning 6-0 or losing a match they controlled. Few 180s with excellent finishing describes the awkward player who survives on less.
What they do NOT tell you
- They are not opponent- or format-adjusted. A long match gives more visits and therefore more 180s in absolute terms.
- Checkouts are the noisiest statistic in the sport. A doubles percentage over few attempts cannot separate a good finisher from a lucky one.
- They do not capture pressure. Closing at 3-3 in the decider is not the same as closing at 5-0 up, and the number does not distinguish the two.
Where to see them
We publish both alongside the three-dart average on the darts statistics page. We issue no forecast in darts: we show the data and explain how to read it.
Frequently asked questions
How many 180s count as a lot in a match?
Four or more in a match of average length is already a high figure. The comparison only makes sense between matches of the same format: a longer one gives more visits and therefore more 180s in absolute terms.
What is a 170 checkout?
It is the maximum possible finish from 170 points: treble 20, treble 20 and bullseye. It is the hardest of all, which is why it is recorded separately from 100+ finishes.
Is a player with more 180s better than one with better checkouts?
Checkouts decide more legs, but the useful read is the combination. Plenty of 180s with poor finishing describes a volatile player; few 180s with excellent finishing, one who survives on less.