Pickleball Singles Rules
Singles uses almost all the same rules as doubles— same court, same kitchen, same two-bounce rule, same games to 11 win-by-2. The differences are in the scoring and the serving side. Here’s exactly what changes.
What stays the same
Everything about the court and the flow of play is identical to doubles: the full 20-by-44-foot court, the kitchen (Non-Volley Zone), the two-bounce rule, the underhand serve, and games to 11, win by 2. If you know doubles, you already know 90% of singles.
Scoring: just two numbers
The big change is the call. In doubles you say three numbers (with a server number); in singles you say two — your score and your opponent’s. There’s no server number because there’s no partner. Only the server can score, and if you lose a rally on your serve, the serve goes straight to your opponent (an immediate side out). See how scoring works for the full picture.
The serving-side shortcut
Here’s the handy trick: your score tells you where to serve from. When your score is even (0, 2, 4…), serve from the right side; when it’s odd (1, 3, 5…), serve from the left. Since you always serve diagonally, that also sets your target box. No need to track anything else.
The court is the same size
Unlike tennis, there’s no narrower singles court in pickleball — you use the full width. One player covering the whole court makes singles a serious workout, which is why it rewards deep serves, good movement, and fitness far more than doubles does.
Pickleball Rules (start here)
The complete beginner's guide to pickleball rules — scoring, serving, the kitchen, the two-bounce rule, and faults.
How to keep score
Traditional side-out scoring, the three-number doubles call, games to 11 win-by-2, and rally scoring explained.
The kitchen rule
What the kitchen is, why you can't volley in it, and the momentum rule that trips up new players.
Serving rules
Where to stand, underhand vs. drop serve, diagonal serving, the let rule, and common serving faults.