Pickleball
Zero, zero, two. We’ve got it.
The score, the server, the side out: up to 11, Matchito keeps all three numbers.
Score a gameOne rally, one tap.
Tap the color of the team that won the rally. If it was serving, it scores; if not, the serve moves on. Try it!
- Games to 11 points
- Win by 2
- Only the server scores
- Pick pickleball, and name the two teams.
- After each rally, tap the color of the team that won it. Matchito works it out: a point, the second server, or a side out.
- The referee calls all three numbers: the serving team’s score, the other team’s, and the server number.
The rules, in short.
What the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook says, and nothing more.
- 11
To win
Usually, the first team to 11 points, leading by at least 2, wins the game. Tournaments also play to 15 or 21.
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Section 1 and Rule 15.C - Serve
Who scores
You only score by serving and winning the rally. When the receiving team wins the rally, it doesn’t score: the opposing server loses the serve, to their partner or to the other team.
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Rules 4.A, 5.A.3, 5.B.5 and 5.B.6 - 2
Two servers
In doubles, both players serve before the side out. Except at the start of the game: the team that starts has only one server, hence “zero, zero, two.”
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Rules 5.B and 5.B.2 - 3 numbers
The call
In doubles, you call the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, then the server number. In singles, two numbers.
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Rule 6.B - 2 bounces
The two-bounce rule
The serve and the return of serve must each bounce before they are hit.
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Rule 10.A - 2.13 m
The non-volley zone
Near the net, a zone of 2.13 m on each side where you may not volley the ball.
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Section 1 and Rule 11.A
Or keep your paddle in hand.
One press per rally won, on your watch or the three buttons on your earbuds: ⏮ for pink, ⏭ for yellow. ⏯ undoes the last point. Whether it’s a point or a change of serve, Matchito knows.
The questions people ask.
How do you keep score in pickleball?
Only the serving team scores, when it wins the rally. Games are usually played to 11 points, win by 2.
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Section 1 and Rule 4.AWhat do the three numbers mean?
The serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, then the server: 1 or 2. “Four, two, one”: 4 for the serving team, 2 for the other, first server.
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Rule 6.B.2Why does the game start at “zero, zero, two”?
Because the team that starts the game has only one server for its first service turn: that player counts as the second server.
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Rules 5.B and 6.B.2Which side do you serve from?
In singles, from the right when your score is even, 0 included, from the left when it is odd. The serve goes diagonally.
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Section 1 and Rule 5.A.1Is there a scoring system where every rally scores?
Yes, rally scoring: the team that wins the rally scores, whether it serves or not. USA Pickleball has approved it provisionally. Matchito keeps score the traditional way.
USA Pickleball, the official rulebook of the sport, 2026 edition, Rule 14.A