Quick answer: In standard pickleball, only the serving side scores. Games go to 11, win by 2. In doubles, call the score as three numbers, serving team's score, receiving team's score, server number, and every game starts at 0-0-2. In singles, call two numbers.
Pickleball score keeper
Game settings & names
How side-out scoring works
Standard pickleball uses side-out scoring: "a point is scored by serving the ball and winning the rally" (USA Pickleball Rule 4.A). If the receiving side wins the rally, they don't score. They win the right to serve instead.
- The server keeps serving, switching between the right and left serving areas after each point, until their side loses a rally.
- Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2. Tournaments also use games to 15 or 21, all win by 2 (Rule 15.C). Win-by-1 is allowed only for team play.
- At 10-10 you keep playing until one side leads by 2, for example 12-10 or 15-13.
Doubles: server 1, server 2 and why games start at 0-0-2
In doubles, both partners serve before a side out. The exception is the first service turn of each game (Rule 5.B):
- After every side out, the player on the right side (based on the team's score) serves first and is server 1 for that turn. The partner is server 2 (Rule 5.B.2).
- Server 1 serves until the team loses a rally. Then the serve passes to server 2 (Rule 5.B.5).
- When server 2 loses a rally, it's a side out and the other team serves (Rule 5.B.6).
- First-server exception: the team that serves first in a game gets only one server in its first turn. That starting server is counted as the second server. That's why the opening call is "zero-zero-two".
Server numbers are for that service turn only. Whoever is on the right after a side out becomes server 1, so next time it may be the other partner. As USA Pickleball's scoring guide puts it, beginners often wrongly assume a player keeps the same server number all game.
How to call the score
- Doubles: three numbers: serving team's score – receiving team's score – server number. "4-2-1" means the serving team has 4, the receivers have 2, and the first server is up (Rule 6.B.2).
- Singles: two numbers: server's score – receiver's score. Start at "0-0" (Rule 6.B.1).
- The server normally calls the score, and the whole score must be called before the serve is hit (Rule 6.C). After the call, the server has 10 seconds to serve (Rule 6.D).
- If a wrong score is called, a player may stop play to correct it before the return of serve is hit. If the rally is finished first, the result stands and the score is fixed before the next serve (Rule 6.F).
Where to stand: the even/odd rule
Positions follow the score (Rule 5.B.3). Each team's starting server, the player who began the game on the right, is:
- on the right side when the team's score is even (0, 2, 4…)
- on the left side when the score is odd (1, 3, 5…)
The partner is always on the opposite side. Only the serving team switches sides, and only when it scores. The receiving team never switches. If the starting server isn't where the score says, either someone is in the wrong spot or the score is wrong.
Worked example: the first few rallies of a doubles game
Ann (starts right) & Al vs. Bea (starts right) & Bo. Ann's team serves first. The score keeper above follows these same steps.
| Rally | What happens | Next call | Next server |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Game begins | 0-0-2 | Ann, right side |
| 1 | Ann's team wins the rally, +1 | 1-0-2 | Ann moves to the left |
| 2 | Ann's team wins again, +1 | 2-0-2 | Ann, right side |
| 3 | Bea's team wins. Ann was the "second server," so it's a side out | 0-2-1 | Bea (right, score even) |
| 4 | Bea's team wins, +1 | 1-2-1 | Bea moves to the left |
| 5 | Ann's team wins. Serve passes to server 2 | 1-2-2 | Bo (now on the right) |
| 6 | Bea's team wins, +1 | 2-2-2 | Bo moves to the left |
| 7 | Ann's team wins. Side out | 2-2-1 | Ann (right, score even) |
Singles scoring
Singles uses the same side-out scoring, but each side has only one server, so the call is just two numbers. Serve from the right when your score is even (or zero) and from the left when it's odd (Rule 5.A.1). Keep serving, alternating sides, until you lose a rally. Then it's a side out (Rules 5.A.2–5.A.3).
Rally scoring in 2026: optional and provisional
The 2026 USA Pickleball rulebook lists rally scoring as a provisional option (Rule 14.A), not the standard. Under rally scoring:
- The side that wins every rally scores a point, whether it served or not (14.A.2).
- The score is called as two numbers, even in doubles (14.A.3).
- In doubles, only one player serves per turn. When the serving team loses a rally, it's a side out, and the player correctly positioned on the right for their team's score serves next (14.A.4–14.A.5).
- New for 2026: the receiving side can now win the game on a rally. The 2025 rule that game point could only be won on serve was removed (see the USA Pickleball rulebook change document).
- Tournament directors may use rally scoring (games to 11, 15 or 21) except in double-elimination doubles events, 2026 Golden Ticket events and the 2026 National Championships (Rule 15.C.2).
Pro tours, leagues and other organizations may use their own formats. Check your event's rules. Switch the score keeper's Scoring setting to "Rally" to track a rally-scored game.
Game length, switching ends & time-outs
| Game to | Win by | Change ends at* | Time-outs per side |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| 15 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| 21 | 2 | 11 | 3 |
*Ends change in single-game matches and deciding (tie-breaker) games when the first side reaches that score, and the same server continues (Rule 21.B). Time-outs: Rule 21.A. Common tournament formats are best 2-of-3 games to 11, best 3-of-5 to 11, or one game to 15 or 21 (Rule 15.C.1).
Common scoring mistakes
- Giving the receiving team a point. In side-out scoring, receivers only win the serve.
- Starting at 0-0-1. The first serve of the game is always "0-0-2."
- Keeping a fixed server number. Server 1 is whoever is on the right after each side out.
- Receivers switching sides. Only the serving team switches, and only after scoring.
- Calling your partner's score first. Always call the serving team's score first.
Pickleball scoring FAQ
How do you score in pickleball?
In standard pickleball, only the serving side can score. You win a point by serving and winning the rally. If the receiving side wins the rally, they don't get a point. Instead, the serve passes to the second server or to the other team (a side out). Games are usually played to 11, and you must win by 2.
Why does pickleball start at 0-0-2?
To limit the advantage of serving first, only one player on the starting team serves in the first service turn of the game. That player is treated as the second server, so the score is called "zero-zero-two." When they lose the rally, it's a side out right away.
What are the three numbers in a pickleball score?
In doubles, the score is called as the serving team's score, then the receiving team's score, then the server number (1 or 2). For example, 4-2-1 means the serving team has 4, the receivers have 2, and the first server is serving.
Can you score when you're not serving in pickleball?
Not in standard side-out scoring. Only the serving side scores. In the optional rally scoring format (provisional Rule 14.A), the winner of every rally scores, including the receiving side.
Do you have to win by 2 in pickleball?
Yes, in standard play. USA Pickleball's tournament scoring options are all win-by-2, except that win-by-1 is allowed for team play (Rule 15.C).
How do you know which side to serve from?
Your team's score tells you. The player who started the game on the right side (the starting server) is on the right when the team's score is even (including zero) and on the left when it's odd. In singles, serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when it's odd.
Is rally scoring legal in pickleball in 2026?
Rally scoring is a provisional, optional format in the 2026 USA Pickleball rulebook (Rule 14.A). Tournament directors may use it, except in double-elimination doubles events, 2026 Golden Ticket events and the 2026 National Championships (Rule 15.C.2). In 2026, a receiving side at game point can win the game on a rally.
When do you switch sides in pickleball?
In a single game or the deciding game of a match, players change ends when the first side reaches 6 points in a game to 11, 8 in a game to 15, or 11 in a game to 21 (Rule 21.B). The same server continues after the end change.
How many timeouts do you get in pickleball?
Each singles player or doubles team gets two standard time-outs per game to 11 or 15 points and three per game to 21 points (Rule 21.A).
Sources
- USA Pickleball 2026 Official Rulebook (PDF): Sections 4, 5, 6, 14.A, 15.C, 21.
- USA Pickleball 2026 Rulebook Change Document (PDF): rally-scoring game-point change.
- USA Pickleball: Scoring & Positioning, Side Out Scoring
Rule numbers refer to the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, checked November 4, 2026. DinkCalc is not affiliated with USA Pickleball. For official play, the current rulebook always governs.