The three-dart average in darts: what it is and how to read it
TL;DR. The three-dart average is the score a player gets per visit of three darts to the board. It is the single number that best sums up a darts player's level, but it measures scoring rate, not finishing: a player with a high average and a poor doubles percentage loses matches they should win on paper.
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.
How it is calculated
Add up every point scored, divide by the number of darts thrown, then multiply by three. A player scoring 1,200 points with 45 darts has a three-dart average of (1,200 ÷ 45) × 3 = 80.
One detail trips most people up: the average includes the checkout darts. A player who checks out with one dart on double 20 scores 40 points with a single dart, which pulls the average up. That is why averages from short matches are noisier than averages from long ones.
What each number signals
These are the sport's own reference bands, not a measurement from our database. They place a player's level — they do not predict their next match.
| Three-dart average | Approximate level |
|---|---|
| 100 or above | World elite on a good day; wins most legs in 15 darts or fewer |
| 93 – 100 | Top end of the professional circuit |
| 85 – 93 | Established professional |
| 75 – 85 | Development tour and minor events |
| Below 75 | Amateur level or a player out of form |
What the three-dart average does NOT tell you
It is an average, and an average hides variance. Two players on 88 can be very different: one steady across every visit, the other alternating 140 with 26.
- It does not measure finishing. Doubles are won or lost separately, and that is where tight legs are decided.
- It is not opponent-adjusted. A 95 average against someone who never puts you under pressure is worth less than a 90 against a player forcing you to close fast.
- It depends on the format. Averages rise in long matches and standard 501, and fall in short formats where a bad start leaves no time to recover.
- It is not a probability. A five-point gap in average is real, but it converts into a far smaller edge than people assume.
How we use it at BetsTalent
In darts we publish statistics, not predictions: it is one of the sports where our engine issues no forecast, because the available history is not deep enough to model it rigorously. What you will find is each player's three-dart average over recent matches alongside their 180s and checkouts, so you can compare for yourself.
You can see the per-match data on the darts statistics page, where the average is a highlighted column with its own filter.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good three-dart average?
Above 90 is solid professional level and above 100 is elite. Below 75 points to amateur level or a player out of form. The bar depends on the circuit: on minor tours an average of 85 can dominate.
Does the three-dart average include the checkout darts?
Yes. It is calculated over every dart thrown, including the checkout double. That is why a quick finish pulls the average up and why averages from short matches are noisier.
Can the average tell me who will win the match?
It helps place both players' level, but it is not enough. It does not measure the doubles percentage, it is not opponent-adjusted and it does not capture form on the day. It is context, not a prediction.