Badminton is played as singles or doubles, with players hitting a shuttle over a net and trying to land it inside the opponent’s court. Under the current standard system, a match is usually the best of three games to 21 points, with a point awarded after every rally. BWF has approved a new best-of-three, 15-point system that takes effect on January 4, 2027.
This guide explains the rules most beginners need to understand. A recreational club may modify match length, rotation, or scoring to fit its available court time, so ask the organizer which format is being used before you play.
Badminton rules at a glance
- A match is played as singles, doubles, or mixed doubles.
- The shuttle must pass over the net and land inside the correct court boundaries.
- A point is awarded after every rally.
- The side winning a rally serves next.
- The server uses the right service court when that side’s score is even and the left service court when it is odd.
- A legal serve must travel diagonally into the receiver’s service court.
- Players may not touch the net with their body or racket while the shuttle is in play.
- A side loses the rally if the shuttle lands out, fails to cross the net, or is hit illegally.
Singles and doubles
A singles match has one player on each side. Doubles and mixed doubles have two players on each side.
The court is 44 feet (13.4 meters) long for both formats. Doubles uses the full 20-foot (6.1-meter) width, while singles uses the narrower 17-foot (5.18-meter) width.
Service boundaries also differ:
- Singles: The service court is long and narrow.
- Doubles: The service court is short and wide. The rear doubles service line—not the back boundary line—is the limit for a serve.
After the serve is returned, the full appropriate singles or doubles court is used for the rest of the rally.
How scoring works under the 21-point system
Under the standard 21-point rally-scoring system:
- A point is awarded after every rally, regardless of which side served.
- A game is won by the first side to reach 21 points, unless the score becomes 20–20.
- At 20–20, a side must gain a two-point lead.
- If the score reaches 29–29, the side winning the 30th point wins the game.
- A match is normally the best of three games.
The side that wins a game serves first in the next game.
The new 3×15 system beginning in 2027
BWF members approved a new scoring system that takes effect on January 4, 2027. Under that system:
- Matches remain the best of three games.
- Each game is played to 15 points.
- A side must win by two points after 14–14.
- A game cannot continue beyond 21 points; at 20–20, the next point wins.
- Players change ends when the leading side reaches eight points in the deciding game.
Until the new laws take effect, the 21-point system remains the official standard. After implementation, local recreational clubs may not all change formats immediately, so players should confirm the scoring system used at their venue.
For a more detailed comparison, see the forthcoming guide to the 21-point and 3×15 badminton scoring systems.
How service works
The player or side that wins the rally earns a point and serves in the next rally.
Choosing the correct service court
The serving side uses:
- the right service court when its score is even, including 0;
- the left service court when its score is odd.
The serve must travel diagonally into the receiver’s corresponding service court.
Basic requirements for a legal serve
During a legal serve:
- the server and receiver must stand inside diagonally opposite service courts without touching the boundary lines;
- part of both feet must remain in contact with the court and stationary from the start of the serve until it is delivered;
- the server must hit the base of the shuttle first;
- the entire shuttle must be below 1.15 meters from the court surface at the instant it is struck;
- the racket must continue moving forward once the service begins;
- the serve must travel upward and pass over the net toward the receiver’s service court.
The familiar instruction to strike the shuttle “below the waist” appears in older explanations. Competitive badminton now uses the fixed 1.15-meter service height.
Service order in singles
In singles:
- serve from the right when your score is even;
- serve from the left when your score is odd;
- continue serving after winning a rally, switching service courts each time;
- when the receiver wins the rally, the receiver gains a point and becomes the new server.
Service order in doubles
Doubles uses the same even-right and odd-left rule, but players retain their relative service-court positions until their side wins a point while serving.
A side has only one service turn. There is no second serve. When the receiving side wins a rally, it gains the point and becomes the serving side.
Players do not switch courts merely because their side won a rally while receiving. They switch right and left service courts only after their side wins a point while serving.
When a rally ends
A rally ends when the shuttle:
- lands on the court;
- lands outside the correct boundary;
- fails to pass over the net;
- touches the ceiling, wall, person, clothing, or another object outside the court;
- is caught, carried, or slung on the racket;
- is hit twice in succession by the same player;
- is hit by both partners successively;
- is struck before crossing to the hitter’s side of the net;
- or when another fault occurs.
A shuttle that lands on a boundary line is in.
Common badminton faults
A fault results in the opposing side winning the rally.
Common faults include:
- serving into the wrong service court;
- serving above the permitted height;
- moving the feet illegally during the serve;
- missing the shuttle while attempting to serve;
- hitting the shuttle out of bounds;
- touching the net or its supports with the racket, body, or clothing while the shuttle is in play;
- invading the opponent’s court over or under the net in a way that obstructs or distracts the opponent;
- deliberately distracting an opponent;
- carrying or slinging the shuttle;
- making an illegal double hit.
A player’s racket may follow the shuttle over the net after making initial contact on the player’s own side. Reaching over and striking the shuttle before it crosses the net is a fault.
What is a let?
A let stops play and the rally is replayed without changing the score.
A let may be called when:
- the server serves before the receiver is ready, provided the receiver does not attempt to return the serve;
- both the server and receiver are faulted during service;
- the shuttle becomes caught on or in the net after the serve is returned;
- the shuttle breaks apart during play;
- a coach or other outside situation disrupts play;
- a line judge is unsighted and the umpire cannot make a decision;
- an unforeseen or accidental situation affects the rally.
Not every shuttle that touches the net produces a let. A serve or rally shot may touch the net and remain in play if it crosses and lands legally.
Toss and choice of ends
Before a match, a toss determines which side chooses first.
The winning side may choose either:
- to serve or receive first; or
- which end of the court to start from.
The side losing the toss receives the remaining choice.
Changing ends
Players change ends:
- after the first game;
- after the second game if a third game is needed;
- during the third game when the leading side reaches the required mid-game score.
Under the 21-point system, players change ends in the third game when the leading side reaches 11 points. Under the new 3×15 system beginning in 2027, that change occurs at eight points.
Intervals and breaks
Under the 21-point system, players normally receive:
- up to 60 seconds when the leading score reaches 11 points in a game;
- up to 120 seconds between games.
Tournament officials control intervals and delays. Recreational sessions may use shorter games or different breaks to keep courts rotating.
Conduct and fair play
Players must not deliberately delay play, damage the shuttle to alter its flight, behave offensively, or distract an opponent.
Good recreational etiquette also includes:
- making honest line calls;
- returning the shuttle promptly;
- respecting court-rotation rules;
- avoiding arguments over casual points;
- and following the session organizer’s safety and conduct policies.
Frequently asked questions
Is a shuttle that lands on the line in or out?
It is in. Boundary lines form part of the area they define.
Can the shuttle touch the net?
Yes. The shuttle may touch the net during a serve or rally and remain in play if it passes over and lands inside the correct boundaries.
Can your racket cross over the net?
Your follow-through may cross over the net after you first strike the shuttle on your own side. You may not reach over the net and hit the shuttle before it crosses to your side.
Do you get two serves in badminton?
No. A side has one service attempt. A service fault immediately ends the rally and awards the point and next serve to the opponent.
Is badminton still played to 21 points?
Yes, through January 3, 2027 under the current BWF laws. BWF’s approved 3×15 system takes effect January 4, 2027. Recreational venues may use their own formats, so check with the club or organizer.
Ready to play?
Knowing the rules is easier once you apply them in real games. Browse badminton clubs by state and city to find a place to play, then ask the organizer about skill levels, session times, fees, and the scoring format used at that venue.
Editorial source notes
Verify all rule language against the current BWF Laws of Badminton before publication.
Primary sources:
- BWF Statutes and Laws: https://corporate.bwfbadminton.com/statutes/
- BWF announcement approving 3×15 scoring: https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2026/04/25/bwf-members-approve-3x15-scoring-system