How to Keep Score in Pickleball (With Examples)

Learning how to keep score in pickleball is the moment most beginners go "wait, what?" The good news: it follows a small set of rules, and once you have called the score through a few games, it becomes automatic. This guide covers traditional side-out scoring (the default), rally scoring (a provisional option in 2026), and walks through real examples.

For the rest of the rules, see pickleball rules for beginners or the complete pickleball guide.

How to keep score in pickleball: the basics

Only the serving side scores in traditional scoring. If the receiving side wins the rally, nobody scores; the serve moves on.
Games go to 11, win by 2. Tournaments may also play to 15 or 21, still win by 2.
The server calls the score before every serve.
A common match format is one game to 11, or best 2 of 3 games.

How to call the score in doubles

In doubles, the score has three numbers:

Serving team's score
Receiving team's score
Server number: 1 or 2

So "7-4-2" means the serving team has 7, the receiving team has 4, and the second server on the serving team is serving.

Why games start at 0-0-2

Every doubles game starts at "0-0-2". To limit the advantage of serving first, the team that starts the game gets only one server for its first turn. That player is treated as the "second server", so when they lose a rally, the serve goes straight to the other team (a side out).

After that first turn, each team gets two servers per turn: server 1 serves until their team loses a rally, then server 2 serves until their team loses a rally, then it is a side out.

Who serves first after a side out

After every side out, the serve starts with the player standing on the right side of the court. That player is server 1 for this turn.

Where to stand: the even/odd rule

You do not need to memorize who is where. Use the starting server as your anchor:

When your team's score is even (0, 2, 4...), your team's starting server is on the right side, serving or receiving.
When your team's score is odd (1, 3, 5...), your team's starting server is on the left.

If your positions do not match this rule, someone is out of place.

Partners only switch sides when their team scores a point while serving. The server moves to the other side and serves again; the receiving team does not switch.

Worked example: a doubles game

Team A (Ann and Ben) serves first. Team B is Cara and Dan. Ann starts on the right.

Rally	What happens	Score call before the next serve
Start	Ann serves from the right	0-0-2
1	Team A wins. Ann switches to the left and serves again	1-0-2
2	Team A loses. Side out	Team B serves: 0-1-1
3	Team B wins. Their server switches sides and serves again	1-1-1
4	Team B loses. Server 2 on Team B takes over	1-1-2
5	Team B loses again. Side out	Team A serves: 1-1-1

Notice in rally 5 that the score is called from the new serving team's point of view: their score first.

Also notice in rally 2: Team A's first turn ended after one lost rally, because the game started at "server 2".

How scoring works in singles

Singles uses two numbers: server's score, then receiver's score. Every game starts at "0-0".

Serve from the right when your score is even, from the left when it is odd.
Win the rally while serving: you score and switch sides.
Lose the rally while serving: side out, the opponent serves.

Example: you lead 5-3 and are serving. Your score is odd, so you serve from the left. Win the rally: "6-3", serve from the right.

Rally scoring in pickleball

With rally scoring, a point is scored on every rally, whoever served. In the 2026 USA Pickleball rulebook it is a provisional rule: an approved option, not the default. Key details:

The score is called with two numbers, even in doubles: server's team score, then receiver's team score.
In doubles, only one player serves per turn. Lose the rally and it is a side out.
After a side out, the player on the right (based on the team's score) serves first.
New for 2026: the receiving team can win game point. In 2025, game point could only be won while serving; that "freeze" is gone.
Tournament rally formats include games to 11, 15 or 21, played as one game, best of 3 or best of 5. Some major USA Pickleball events, such as the national championships, do not use it in 2026.

USA Pickleball has said it will decide in 2027 whether to extend the trial, make it permanent, or discontinue it in sanctioned play. In casual play, just agree on the format before the first serve.

Quick example

Team A leads 9-8 and is serving. Team B wins the rally: under rally scoring, Team B scores and takes the serve. Score called: "9-9" from Team B's side. Under side-out scoring, the same rally would leave the score at 9-8 and only move the serve.

Common scoring mistakes

Forgetting the server number. Saying "5-3" in doubles side-out scoring is incomplete.
Switching sides on the receiving team. Only the serving team switches, and only after scoring.
Starting at 0-0-1. The first serve of the game is always "0-0-2" in doubles side-out scoring.
Calling your opponent's score first. Always serving team first.

Tip: If everyone loses track, use the even/odd rule. Check the starting server's position against their team's score to work out where everyone should be.

Let an app keep score

The free Kèo scorekeeper supports pickleball with traditional or rally scoring, games to 11, 15 or 21, and one game or best of 3. Tap the side that won each rally and it tracks the score and serve. You can play friendly matches without an account, or play ranked matches that count toward your rating once the opponent confirms the result (an account is needed after the match). Playing a rotation with a bigger group? Try group play.

Next up: pickleball doubles strategy and pickleball skill levels explained.

FAQ

Why do you say 0-0-2 at the start of a pickleball game?

It means the serving team has 0, the receiving team has 0, and the server is server number 2. The starting team only gets one server on its first turn, so the game begins as if the first server has already had their turn.

Can you score a point when receiving in pickleball?

Not in traditional side-out scoring; only the serving side scores. Under rally scoring, which is a provisional option, the team that wins the rally scores whether it served or not.

What does the third number mean in the pickleball score?

It is the server number, 1 or 2. It tells everyone whether the first or the second player on the serving team is currently serving.

Do you have to win by 2 in pickleball?

Yes. Standard games go to 11 and must be won by at least 2 points, so a game can go to 12-10, 13-11 and beyond. Tournament scoring options are also win by 2, except team play formats, which may use win by 1.

How do you know which side to serve from?

Use the even/odd rule: when your team's score is even, your team's starting server is on the right; when it is odd, they are on the left. In singles, serve from the right on an even score and from the left on an odd score.