Rules
Table tennis: rules
Table tennis is played by two players or two pairs across a table divided by a net: the ball must bounce once on the opponent's half after each stroke. Every rally scores, a game goes to 11 with a two-point lead needed from 10-all, and a match is the best of an odd number of games.
Importance 5 out of 5Importance rating
Serve
- The server rests the ball on the open palm of a still free hand, throws it almost straight up without spin so that it rises at least 16 cm, and strikes it on the way down so it bounces first on their own half and then on the receiver'sSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Laws 2.6.1 to 2.6.3 · tier 1
- From the start of the serve until it is struck, the ball must stay above the playing surface and behind the server's end line, and must not be hidden from the receiver by the server, their partner or their clothingSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.6.4 · tier 1
- In doubles the serve must bounce first in the server's right half-court and then in the receiver's right half-courtSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.6.3 · tier 1
- A serve that touches the net assembly but is otherwise correct is a let and is taken againSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.9.1.1 · tier 1
- Each player serves two points in turn; from 10-all, each player serves just one point in turnSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.13.3 · tier 1
Scoring
- Unless the rally is a let, a point goes to the player whose opponent fails to make a correct serve or returnSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Laws 2.10.1.1 and 2.10.1.2 · tier 1
- A game is won by the first player or pair to 11 points, unless both reach 10, in which case the first to lead by two points winsSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.11.1 · tier 1
- A match is the best of any odd number of gamesSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.12.1 · tier 1
- Players change ends after each game, and in the last possible game of a match when one side first reaches 5 pointsSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.13.7 · tier 1
Rally
- After the serve, each return must be struck so that the ball lands on the opponent's court, either directly or after touching the net assemblySource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.7.1 · tier 1
- In singles the players hit alternately; in doubles the server, receiver, server's partner and receiver's partner hit in that order throughout the rallySource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Laws 2.8.1 and 2.8.2 · tier 1
Losing the point
- A player loses the point if, while the ball is in play, they or anything they wear or carry move the playing surface or touch the net assembly, or if their free hand touches the playing surfaceSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Laws 2.10.1.9 to 2.10.1.11 · tier 1
- A player loses the point by obstructing the ball or by deliberately striking it more than once in successionSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Laws 2.10.1.6 and 2.10.1.7 · tier 1
- A doubles player who hits the ball out of the order set by the first server and first receiver loses the pointSource: ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws of Table Tennis, Law 2.10.1.12 · tier 1
Related sports
Sources
- ITTF Statutes 2026 (including the Laws of Table Tennis), International Table Tennis Federation, 2026 (effective 1 January 2026), consolidated clean version v1documents.ittf.sportOfficial rulebook or governing body (tier 1 of 5)