table tennis scoring
Table Tennis Scoring Rules Explained
Table tennis games go to 11 points, win by 2. Best of 5 or best of 7 games per match. Serves alternate every 2 points (every point in deuce). Doubles uses a strict serving order. The format has been 11-point since 2001, replacing the old 21-point format.
Looking for the Volley app for this sport? See the table tennis page.
How table tennis scoring works
A table tennis game is first to 11 points with a 2-point margin. So 11-9 wins, but 11-10 doesn't — you keep playing until someone leads by 2 (12-10, 13-11, etc).
Serves alternate every 2 points: server A serves twice, then server B serves twice, and so on. This continues until the game enters deuce (10-10), at which point serves alternate every single point.
Matches are best of 5 (first to 3 game wins) or best of 7 (first to 4) depending on the event. Most club and weekend matches are best of 5.
Edge cases and details
The 21-point format is sometimes still used in casual social play, but it's no longer the official ITTF format. Don't confuse the two — 11-point is faster and is what every modern competition uses.
A let serve (one that touches the net but lands fair) is replayed, not a fault. There is no limit on the number of let serves in a row.
The expedite rule kicks in if a single game lasts more than 10 minutes — the receiver wins the point if they return 13 consecutive serves. Almost never seen in practice.
Volley scores it for you
Volley scores table tennis with the modern 11-point format, automatic serve switching every 2 points (every point in deuce), and strict doubles serving order tracking.
If you don't want a scoring app and just want to learn the rules, this page is enough — bookmark it.
Frequently asked questions
How does table tennis scoring work?
Table tennis games go to 11 points, win by 2. Best of 5 or best of 7 games per match. Serves alternate every 2 points (every point in deuce). Doubles uses a strict serving order. The format has been 11-point since 2001, replacing the old 21-point format.
Can I run a Table Tennis tournament with Volley?
Yes. Volley supports single elimination, round robin, and pool play formats — pick the one that fits your time and player count. Free generators are also available on the website if you don't want every player on the app.
How does Volley score Table Tennis differently from other apps?
Most multi-sport apps treat every sport as a generic counter. Volley uses real sport-specific scoring engines — every rule that Table Tennis actually has is applied automatically. You don't set up a custom counter; you pick Table Tennis and play.
Is there a free app that scores Table Tennis?
Yes — Volley is a free Table Tennis scoring app on iOS and Android. It applies the right rules automatically (you just tap the side that won the point), tracks ELO across every match you play, and supports tournaments in three formats.