How to Keep Score in Pickleball: Singles, Doubles, and Rally Scoring Explained

Whether you’re new to the sport or just need a refresher, learning how to keep score in pickleball can be one of the more confusing parts of the game. With server rotations, scoring formats, and terms like “side out” and “second server,” it takes a little getting used to.

This guide breaks down the basics of pickleball scoring—both singles and doubles—so you can step on the court with confidence.

How do you keep score in pickleball?

Pickleball typically uses side-out scoring, meaning only the serving team can score a point. A standard game is played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2. In some cases—especially in tournament play—games go to 15 or 21 points, but the win-by-two rule still applies.

Each time the serving team wins a rally, they earn one point. If the receiving team wins the rally, no point is awarded—but they gain the serve. This is the core of traditional pickleball scoring rules, which are still the standard in most formats.

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What do each of the numbers mean in pickleball scoring?

If you’ve ever heard someone call out a score like “4-2-1” and wondered what it meant, you’re not alone. That’s the standard pickleball doubles scoring format.

Here’s the breakdown:

The first number is the serving team’s score
The second is the receiving team’s score
The third is the server number (either 1 or 2)

So if the score is “4-2-1,” it means the serving team has 4 points, the receiving team has 2, and it’s the first server on the serving team.

The game always begins with “0-0-2.” This isn’t a mistake—it’s by design. The team that starts the game only gets one service turn before the ball goes to the other team, which helps balance play at the beginning.

Knowing how the pickleball serve rotation in doubles works will keep you in sync with your partner and the game flow.

How does singles pickleball scoring work?

Singles pickleball scoring is simpler than doubles but still requires awareness of positioning.

Instead of three numbers, you only call out two: your score followed by your opponent’s. So if the score is “6-4,” that means you have 6 points and your opponent has 4.

To know where to serve from:

Serve from the right side if your score is even
Serve from the left side if your score is odd

This pattern helps maintain proper court positioning throughout the match and makes singles scoring in pickleball easy to follow once you're used to it.

Can you score a point if you're not serving?

Not under traditional rules. In side-out scoring, only the team or player serving can score. If the receiving side wins the rally, they simply gain the serve—it doesn’t affect the score.

That said, some groups play with rally scoring, where a point is awarded on every rally regardless of who served. This method is growing in popularity for recreational pickleball leagues because it speeds up play, but it’s still not used in most competitive settings.

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How can you avoid confusion when keeping score in pickleball?

Here are a few quick tips that make it easier to stay on track:

Always announce the score before every serve—it keeps everyone in the loop and avoids confusion.
Remember that pickleball doubles scoring uses three numbers, while singles pickleball scoring uses two.
In doubles, after the first server faults, their partner takes over before the serve switches to the other team. In singles, your position depends on whether your score is odd or even.
If you lose track mid-game, don’t hesitate to ask. Everyone’s been there.

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What’s the easiest way to learn pickleball scoring?

Like most things in pickleball, scoring gets easier the more you play. Once you internalize how side-out scoring works—and when to switch servers or sides—it becomes automatic. Doubles has a few more moving parts, but once you know who’s serving and how many points you’ve earned, it’s easy to follow.

Final Serve

Whether you're figuring out how to score in doubles pickleball or getting familiar with singles pickleball rules, the key is repetition. Keep playing, keep calling the score out loud, and keep checking in with your partner. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes—and soon, you’ll be the one helping others.