How To Keep Score In Pickleball: Scoring Made Easy

Only the serving team scores; call three numbers; games to 11, win by 2.

If you want to play smarter, start with the score. I’ve taught many new players how to keep score in pickleball, and a clear system removes stress fast. This guide breaks down how to keep score in pickleball with simple steps, live examples, and pro tips you can use today.

How to keep score in pickleball: the core rules

Pickleball uses side-out scoring. That means only the serving team can score a point.

Games are usually to 11. You must win by 2.
Call the score before every serve.
In doubles, call three numbers: server score, receiver score, server number (1 or 2).
In singles, call two numbers: server score, receiver score.
The first serve of the game starts at 0-0-2 to even the first-serve edge.

If you remember just this, you already know how to keep score in pickleball. The rest is easy.

Doubles scoring made simple

In doubles, both partners on a team get a turn to serve during their team’s service turn. The only exception is the first serve of the game, which starts at 0-0-2.

Here is the flow.

Team A starts serving from the right side at 0-0-2.
Only Team A can score while they serve.
If Server 2 on Team A wins a rally, Team A gets 1 point. The server switches sides with their partner and serves again.
When the serving team loses a rally, the serve moves to their partner if it was Server 1. Or it becomes a side-out if it was Server 2.
After a side-out, the other team serves. Their first server starts on the right side as Server 1.

Key facts to lock in.

The serving team switches sides only when they win a point.
The receiving team never switches sides during the point. They keep their positions until they win the serve.
After every side-out, the new serving team’s first serve comes from the right side.

Example rally in doubles.

Start: 0-0-2. Team A serves from the right.
Team A wins. Score is 1-0-2. The server moves to the left and serves again.
Team A loses next rally. Side-out. Team B now serves at 0-1-1 from the right.
Team B wins. Score is 1-1-1. Server moves to the left and serves again.

Once you see this in action, you will feel how to keep score in pickleball without thinking.

Singles scoring basics

Singles is cleaner. There is no server number.

Call two numbers: server score, receiver score.
Serve from the right when your score is even. Serve from the left when your score is odd.
Only the server scores. Win by 2.

Quick example.

Start at 0-0. Serve from the right.
You win the rally. Score is 1-0. Serve from the left next.
You lose. Your opponent serves at 0-1 from the right.

Once you know this even-right rule, you know how to keep score in pickleball in singles.

Serving, positions, and rotation

A few small habits make scoring smooth.

Start every service turn on the right side.
After your team scores a point, the server and their partner switch sides.
After a side-out, the new serving team’s first server is on the right.
Keep your side consistent with your score. Even score means the player who started on the right should be on the right.

When I teach new players how to keep score in pickleball, I tape a small dot on the “even” right box. It helps them remember where to stand.

How to call the score the right way

Clear score calls prevent drama.

Doubles format: server score, receiver score, server number.
Singles format: server score, receiver score.

Examples you can copy.

Doubles: 3-2-1. You are Server 1, your team has 3, they have 2.
Doubles: 7-5-2. You are Server 2, your team has 7, they have 5.
Singles: 8-6. You serve with 8, they have 6.

Speak loud. Make eye contact. If anyone is unsure, pause and agree on the score. This is the heart of how to keep score in pickleball without confusion.

Common faults that change the serve

A fault ends the rally. If the serving team faults, the serve goes to the next server or to the other team.

Typical faults you will see.

Serve lands out or in the wrong box.
Ball is hit out or into the net.
Volley from inside the non-volley zone.
Miss the double-bounce rule at the start of a rally. The serve must bounce. The return must bounce. Only then may you volley.

Knowing these faults helps you track why the serve changed. It also supports how to keep score in pickleball mid-game.

Variations you may see

Standard play uses side-out scoring to 11. But some events use other formats. Always check the posted rules.

Common variations.

Games to 15 or 21. Still win by 2.
Rally scoring in some leagues. A point is scored on every rally by the rally winner. Some formats freeze at the end so only the server can win the last point.
Timed matches. The leader at the buzzer wins, often with a win-by-2 note.

Official rules change at times. Tournament rules may differ. Confirm before you play. This protects you when you explain how to keep score in pickleball to new partners.

Practical tips to remember the score

These quick tools help you avoid blank moments.

Even-right, odd-left. If your team’s score is even, the original right-side player should be on the right.
Tap and talk. I tap my paddle on the court and say the score out loud before each serve.
Use your fingers. I hold up one finger for Server 1, two for Server 2 while calling 3-2-1 or 3-2-2.
Mark the even box. A small dot of tape on the even side helps new players.
Reset routine. If the score feels off, stop and agree on the last known point, then replay from there.

I learned the hard way in league play. We once gave a point to the wrong team at 9-9. Now I double-check the serving side every time. That simple habit is my favorite way to master how to keep score in pickleball.

Sample rally walk-through: from 0-0-2 to game point

Let’s see a short game flow in doubles.

Start 0-0-2. Team A serves from the right and wins. Score 1-0-2. Server moves left.
Team A wins again. Score 2-0-2. Server moves right.
Team A loses. Side-out. Team B serves 0-2-1 from the right.
Team B wins. Score 1-2-1. Server moves left.
Team B loses. Now Server 2 on Team B serves 1-2-2 from the right.
Team B loses. Side-out. Team A serves 2-1-1 from the right.
Team A scores four in a row. Score 6-1-1, then 7-1-1, then 8-1-1, then 9-1-1. After each point, the server switches sides.
Team A loses. Server 2 serves at 9-1-2. They score. 10-1-2. They lose the next rally. Side-out.
Team B fights back to 4-10-2. They lose. Side-out.
Team A serves 10-4-1. They win the rally. Game 11-4.

Run a few of these on paper. You will lock in how to keep score in pickleball fast.

Frequently Asked Questions of how to keep score in pickleball

Why does a game start at 0-0-2 in doubles?

The first serving team uses Server 2 at the start to reduce the first-serve edge. After that first side-out, the normal two-servers-per-team pattern begins.

In doubles, when do players switch sides?

Only the serving team switches sides, and only after they score a point. The receiving team stays in their positions until they win the serve.

How do I know if I am Server 1 or Server 2?

At the start of your team’s service turn, the player on the right is Server 1. After a fault by Server 1, the partner becomes Server 2 until a side-out.

What if we called the wrong score before serving?

Stop play and agree on the correct score and positions. If a serve was hit with the wrong score call, correct it and replay the point if needed per local rules.

Do tournaments always play to 11?

Many do, but not all. Some use games to 15 or 21, and certain leagues use rally scoring, so always check the event rules.

How is scoring different in singles?

Singles uses two numbers: server score and receiver score. Serve from the right at even scores and from the left at odd scores.

Can I score a point while receiving?

No in standard side-out scoring. Only the serving team can score. Some rally scoring formats award a point on every rally, but that is a special case.

Conclusion

You now know how to keep score in pickleball with confidence. Only the serving team scores, doubles uses three-number calls, and the even-right rule keeps you in place. Use short routines, call the score loud, and confirm positions when in doubt.

Take this to the court today. Teach a friend how to keep score in pickleball between games. Want more guides like this? Subscribe, share your questions, or drop a comment with your own score tip.