How to Keep Score in Pickleball
Traditional pickleball uses side-out scoring, so only the serving side can win a point. Games are usually played to 11 and must be won by two, but official formats also allow games to 15 or 21 and provisional rally scoring.
Start a pickleball scoreboard- Standard game
- First to 11, win by 2
- Traditional scoring
- Serving side scores
- Long formats
- First to 15 or 21
How pickleball scoring works
- 01
Under traditional side-out scoring, award a point only when the serving player or team wins the rally.
- 02
A standard game is won at 11 with a two-point margin.
- 03
Tournament formats may use one game to 15 or 21, still normally win by two.
- 04
A match may be one game, best two-of-three, or best three-of-five, depending on the event format.
Choose the rules your event uses
Governing bodies, age groups, and tournament directors can use different formats. Confirm the format before play.
The standard match format under USA Pickleball rules.
An approved longer match format.
An approved tournament format for a single longer game.
USA Pickleball lists provisional rally-scoring formats; confirm the event’s selected procedure.
Keep the scoreboard clean
- ✓Choose 11, 15, or 21 in setup.
- ✓For side-out scoring, tap only when the serving side wins the rally.
- ✓Confirm best-of-three or best-of-five before play.
Read the complete rules
This guide covers scoreboard essentials, not every playing rule. Local competition rules take precedence.