How to keep score in badminton

Badminton uses rally scoring: every rally wins a point, whoever served. A game goes to 21, you need a lead of 2, and 30 is the most a game can reach. The first to win two games wins the match.

At a glance

• Players: 2 in singles, 4 in doubles

• Who wins: First to win 2 games

• A game: 21 points, 2 clear, 30 at most

• From 2027: BWF games go to 15, 21 at most

How a match is scored

Every rally wins a point for one side, whoever served. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has voted to shorten games from 21 points to 15 from 4 January 2027.

Clubs and leagues follow their own national federation, so check which scoring yours plays from 2027.

Serving and the score

The side that wins a rally scores a point and serves next. Serve from the right service court when your score is even (0, 2, 4 and so on) and from the left when it's odd. The server's score is called first.

In doubles, each side has one serve. When the serving side loses a rally, the serve passes to the other side. Partners only swap service courts when they win a point on their own serve.

Ends, intervals and the third game

Players change ends after each game, and in a third game when the leader reaches 11 (8 under the 15-point scoring).

There's a break of up to 60 seconds in each game when the leader reaches 11, and up to 2 minutes between games. The winner of a game serves first in the next.

Casual and older scoring

• A garden game: play one game, or shorter games to 11 or 15, still winning by 2.

• The old scoring: until 2006, only the serving side could score, and games went to 15 points, or 11 in women's singles.

A scoring example

A singles match between Ana and Ben, under the 21-point scoring.

The third game reached 20 all, so it went on until someone led by 2. Nobody managed it, and at 29 all the next point won the game: Ana took it 30 to 29.

Keep score in Tallynight

Badminton is set up for you, in games: 21 points, win by 2, 30 at most, best of three. Tap + for every rally a side wins. When a game is won, the next starts by itself, and the match ends when someone wins two.

Tallynight doesn't track who serves, but the score tells you: serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when it's odd.

• A new game starts by itself when one is won

• The 30-point cap at 29 all, built in

• Games won on each tile, and the number of games can be changed

• Add each pair as a player for doubles

• Get Tallynight on the App Store: free, no ads.

Questions

How many points is a game of badminton?

21, with a lead of 2, and never more than 30. From 4 January 2027, BWF games go to 15, with 21 as the most.

What happens at 20 all in badminton?

Play on until one side leads by 2. If it reaches 29 all, the next point wins the game 30 to 29. Under the 15-point scoring from 2027, the next point at 20 all wins.

Do you have to serve to score in badminton?

No. Every rally wins a point, whoever served, and the side that wins the rally serves next.

Which side do you serve from in badminton?

From the right service court when your score is even, and from the left when it's odd. At 0 you serve from the right.

How is badminton doubles scored?

The same as singles, to 21 by 2. Each side has one serve, and partners only change service courts when they win a point on their own serve.

Is badminton changing to 15 points?

Yes. In April 2026 the BWF voted for best of three games to 15 from 4 January 2027. At 14 all you need a lead of 2, and at 20 all the next point wins.

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