Table tennis is played in singles or doubles, with players hitting the ball across a net using rackets. The aim is to win points by making a legal return that the opponent cannot successfully return. The table tennis rules cover scoring, serving, legal returns, lets, doubles play and common faults. Official international rules are governed by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). This guide explains the basics for beginners. It also explains what players need to know to follow a match, including how points, games and matches are decided.
What Are the Basic Rules of Table Tennis?
Table tennis can be played as singles, one player against one, or doubles, two against two. A rally begins with a serve. After a legal serve, players alternate hitting the ball. A legal return must land on the opponent’s side, either directly or after touching the net assembly. A player wins the point when the opponent fails to make a legal serve, fails to make a legal return, allows the ball to bounce twice, or commits another fault. Understanding how to play table tennis starts with these core rules.
These are the core table tennis rules. Beginners should understand that points build into games, and games into matches. The scoring system is explained below, but the basic structure stays the same: serve, return, rally, point.
In singles, players may serve to any legal area on the opponent’s side. In doubles, service placement and hitting order are stricter, as explained below.
How Does Scoring Work in Table Tennis?
A standard game is played to 11 points. A player or pair must win by at least two points. If the score reaches 10–10, play continues until one side has a two-point lead. Matches are made up of an agreed odd number of games, commonly best of five or best of seven depending on the competition, from ITTF events to the TT Elite Series. The winner is the player or pair that wins the required number of games.
Every rally can produce a point, regardless of who served. These table tennis scoring rules apply to both singles and doubles. Knowing how many points in table tennis win a game is the first step to following a match. Under standard table tennis rules, a game is not simply first to 11; the two-point margin matters. These table tennis game rules apply consistently, whatever the level of competition.
| Score | Result |
| 11–7 | Game won |
| 11–10 | Game continues |
| 12–10 | Game won |
| 15–13 | Game won |
In most competitions, players change ends after each game. In the deciding game, they change ends when one side reaches five points. Service changes according to the rules described below.
What Are the Table Tennis Serving Rules?
The serve starts the rally, and a legal serve in table tennis has specific requirements. These table tennis serving rules apply in singles and doubles, with one key difference in placement.
Starting the Serve
The ball must begin resting freely on the open palm of the server’s stationary free hand. The server must project the ball nearly vertically upwards. It must rise at least 16 cm after leaving the palm. ITTF guidance confirms the minimum 16 cm toss. The ball should not be given intentional spin during the toss. The server strikes it as it falls.
Where Must the Ball Bounce?
Table tennis rules state that in singles, the ball must first bounce on the server’s court. It must then pass over or around the net and bounce on the receiver’s court.
In doubles, the serve must travel diagonally from the server’s right half-court to the receiver’s right half-court.
Keeping the Serve Visible
Throughout the serve, the ball must stay above the level of the playing surface and behind the server’s end line. It must not be hidden from the receiver by the server or their doubles partner, or by anything they wear or carry. As soon as the ball is projected, the server’s free arm and hand must be moved out of the space between the ball and the net.
When Does the Serve Change?
Service normally changes after every two points. At 10–10, service alternates after every point until the game is decided by two clear points.
What Is a Let in Table Tennis?
In table tennis rules, a let means the rally does not count and is replayed. One common example occurs on serve: the serve is otherwise legal, it touches the net assembly, and it still lands correctly on the receiver’s side. ITTF describes this as a let serve, meaning the server serves again. Other situations can also cause a let under the laws.
A let is different from a fault. A let means replaying the rally. A fault normally means the opponent receives the point. Understanding a let in table tennis helps players avoid confusion when the ball clips the net during a serve. If a let is called, no point is scored, and play restarts with the same server.
What Are the Rules for Returning the Ball?
After the serve, players take turns making returns. The ball must be struck so that it lands on the opponent’s court. It may pass over the net, around the net, or touch the net before landing legally. ITTF confirms that a return remains legal if the ball reaches the opponent’s court after touching the net assembly.
A player normally loses the point if the ball bounces twice on their side, the return misses the table, they fail to strike the ball legally, or they obstruct the ball under the applicable rule. Hitting the ball around the side of the net can be legal if it lands correctly. ITTF specifically notes this in its table tennis rules. Together, these table tennis return rules define what counts as a legal table tennis shot. Both bounce and net contact are taken into account when deciding whether a rally continues or ends.
Table Tennis Doubles Rules
Doubles adds specific requirements to the standard rules. The main differences involve service direction and the order of play.
Doubles Serving
Serves must travel diagonally from the server’s right half to the receiver’s right half. The centre line divides the table into the relevant half-courts for doubles. These doubles serving rules are stricter than in singles.
Order of Play
The fixed hitting sequence in table tennis rules is:
- Server serves.
- Receiver returns.
- Server’s partner hits.
- Receiver’s partner hits.
- The sequence continues in that order.
ITTF rules explicitly require this rotation in doubles. The doubles order cannot be changed during a rally.
Service Rotation
When service changes, the previous receiver becomes the new server. The partner of the previous server becomes the new receiver. Players must maintain the correct sequence of serving, receiving and returning. These table tennis doubles rules ensure both teams alternate correctly and that no player hits twice in a row.
At the start of each game, the serving pair chooses which partner serves first. In the first game, the receiving pair then decides who receives first. In later games, the first receiver is the player who served to them in the previous game.
What Are Common Faults in Table Tennis?
Common situations where a player can lose the point include:
- failing to make a legal serve;
- missing the opponent’s side of the table;
- allowing the ball to bounce twice;
- touching the ball before it has bounced on your side while it is above or travelling towards the playing surface (obstruction);
- moving the playing surface;
- touching the playing surface with the free hand during a rally;
- failing to follow the correct doubles hitting order.
An important misconception is that the net always ends the rally. In table tennis rules, the ball may touch the net during a normal rally and remain in play if it lands legally. A serve touching the net is treated differently and can result in a let. These are among the most common table tennis faults for beginners. Understanding the table tennis point rules helps players avoid these illegal shots.
Table Tennis Singles vs Doubles Rules
| Rule | Singles | Doubles |
| Players | 1 vs 1 | 2 vs 2 |
| Serve direction | Anywhere legally on opponent’s court | Diagonally right-to-right |
| Return order | Players alternate | Partners must alternate |
| Scoring | Same | Same |
| Game target | 11 points | 11 points |
The main differences are the service placement and compulsory hitting order. Scoring remains fundamentally the same. Doubles requires players to alternate shots. For example, a serve that lands on the left half of the receiver’s court is legal in singles but a fault in doubles. And while a singles player hits every shot for their side, a doubles player who hits the ball twice in a row loses the point for their pair.
Frequently Asked Questions About Table Tennis Rules
How many points do you need to win table tennis?
Normally 11, with a minimum two-point winning margin.
How many serves does each player get?
Normally a player will get two consecutive serves before service changes; after 10–10, it changes every point.
Can the ball hit the net?
Yes, it can, during a rally, provided it still lands legally. A legal serve touching the net is replayed as a let.
Do doubles players have to alternate shots?
Yes, they do. ITTF rules require a fixed sequence between the four players.
Can you hit the ball before it bounces in table tennis?
No. Touching the ball before it bounces on your side, while it is above or travelling towards the table, is obstruction, and you lose the point.
Can you touch the table during a rally?
You lose the point if your free hand touches the playing surface or if you move the table during a rally.
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