How Do I Keep Score in Pickleball? (We promise, it’s easy!)

If you’ve ever tried to keep score in tennis and ended up yelling, “Wait—what’s the number again?!”, you’re not alone.

That’s why so many new players search “Is pickleball scoring hard?”—and we’re happy to report it’s actually one of the easiest parts of the game. Seriously. Once you try it, it clicks fast.

The Basic Pickleball Scoring Rules (For Beginners)

Here’s the short version that’ll get you through 99% of casual games:

• Games are usually played to 11 points
  
• You have to win by 2
  
• Only the serving team can score a point
  

Most games are played doubles style (2 vs. 2), which makes it even more fun and social. But the rules for singles are pretty much the same—just fewer people switching sides.

Playing one-on-one?

You’ll still serve from the right side when your score is even, and from the left when it’s odd. There’s no second server—just you and your opponent trading serves each time a rally is lost. The scoring rules stay the same: only the server earns points, and you still play to 11 (win by 2).

So what actually counts as a point?
When the serving team wins a rally, they earn a point. That means the ball stayed in bounds, bounced where it should, and didn’t break any rules along the way.

One quick thing that throws people off at first:

The non-volley zone—aka “the kitchen.”

This is the 7-foot area on either side of the net where you can’t hit the ball out of the air. If you step into the kitchen and volley (hit without letting it bounce), you lose the rally.

So to keep it simple:

• Let the ball bounce if you’re near the net
  
• Stay behind the kitchen line when volleying
  
• And call it a win if your serve earns a clean rally that ends in your favor

So… How Do You Actually Keep Track?

Here’s the rhythm most people follow:

• The server stands on the right side of their court to start.
  
• If their team wins the point, players  switch sides on their side of the court and serves again.
  
• If the serving team loses the rally, the serve either goes to their partner (if they were the first server) or to the other team (if both players have already served).
  
• Only the serving team can earn points—if the other side wins a rally, they just get the serve.
  

We know—it sounds like a lot in writing. But in real life? It’s super intuitive after a few rounds. Most families start by just hitting the ball around and add the full scoring once the rhythm kicks in.

Is Pickleball Scoring Really That Simple?

Yep. That’s what makes it so beginner-friendly. It’s not about memorizing a bunch of rules—it’s about getting into a groove.

A lot of new players ask: “How do you score in pickleball without getting confused?”

Here’s our take: don’t overthink it. Serve from the right, switch sides if you win a point, and only count when it’s your team’s serve. If you lose track, reset and laugh it off.

Pro tip: once you play a few games, it becomes second nature. And hey—no one’s keeping official records in your driveway.

TL;DR: Pickleball Scoring Basics

Here’s your lightning-fast cheat sheet:

Ready to Play (and Keep Score) This Weekend?

If you’re ready to start serving, rallying, and scoring like a pro—even if it’s your first game—we’ve got everything you need in one box.

With our Anywhere Pickleball Full Court Set, you’ll get:

• Durable, beginner-friendly paddles
  
• A portable net and court tape
  
• A Pickleball Protractor. Set up a regulation-size pickleball court anywhere in minutes with this portable, patent-pending tool.
  

Pickleball Scoring FAQs

Do both teams get to score points?
Nope—only the team that’s serving can earn a point. The other team can win the serve back, but not the point.

What’s the official game length?
Most games go to 11 points, but you have to win by 2. Some more competitive games might go to 15 or 21.

How do I know when to switch sides?
Each time the serving team scores a point, the server switches sides with their teammate and continues serving.

What if I mess up the score?
No big deal. Just reset and agree on a score with your group. Pickleball is casual, not courtroom drama.

Is scoring different in singles vs. doubles?
It’s basically the same—just fewer people and less switching. The main concepts stay the same.

So, How Does Pickleball Scoring Work in Singles?
(Yes—it’s just as simple.)

If you’re playing one-on-one, don’t worry—singles scoring follows the same basic rules with just a couple of quick tweaks.

✅ Serve from the right side when your score is even, and from the left side when it’s odd.
✅ There’s no second server—just you and your opponent taking turns to serve after each rally loss.
✅ Only the server can score, just like in doubles.
✅ You still play to 11 points, win by 2.

What counts as a point?
A point is earned only when the server wins the rally—meaning the ball stayed in bounds, bounced legally, and followed all the rules.

The Kitchen Rule (It Trips Up Everyone at First)

There’s one rule that surprises most new players: the non-volley zone, aka “the kitchen.”

This is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net where you’re not allowed to hit the ball out of the air. If you step into the kitchen and volley—boom, you lose the rally.

To keep it simple:

• Let the ball bounce if you’re near the net.
• Stay behind the kitchen line when volleying.

Once you get the hang of it, singles become just as fun (and fast!) as doubles—maybe even more intense.

Where can I get everything I need to start playing and scoring?
Right here. Our Anywhere Pickleball Kits have all the gear—and even the rules—so you can start playing today.