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.
By the VolleyForge team · Reviewed August 2026
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.
Frequently asked questions
How does scoring work in singles pickleball?
Singles uses two numbers instead of three: your score and your opponent's score (there's no server number, because there's no partner). Games are still to 11, win by 2, and only the server can score. Lose a rally while serving and the serve goes straight to your opponent.
Which side do you serve from in singles?
Your score tells you: serve from the right (even) side when your score is even — including 0 — and from the left (odd) side when your score is odd. Because you serve diagonally, this also determines which service box you're aiming at.
Is the pickleball court smaller for singles?
No. Unlike tennis, pickleball singles uses the full-size court — same 20-by-44-foot dimensions and the same kitchen. There's no narrower singles court, which is part of why singles is such a running-heavy workout.
Is pickleball singles or doubles?
Pickleball can be played either way. Doubles — two players per side — is by far the most common format, but singles (one versus one) uses the same court and nearly identical rules. Singles is just far more running, so most casual and league play is doubles.
Where do you serve from in singles pickleball?
Your score decides it: serve from the right (even) side when your score is even, including at 0-0, and from the left when it's odd. You always serve diagonally into the service box across from you.
What are the rules for 1-on-1 (2-player) pickleball?
One-versus-one pickleball follows the same rules as doubles — same 20-by-44-foot court, kitchen, two-bounce rule, and games to 11 win by 2 — with two changes: you use two-number scoring, and there's no partner rotation, so you cover the whole court yourself.
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.
Doubles rules
The two-server sequence, the three-number score call, the second-server exception at 0-0, and when partners switch sides.
Court dimensions
The exact measurements — a 20-by-44-foot court, the 7-foot kitchen, net height, service courts, and the space you need around it.
How to play (beginners)
The complete beginner's start — the object of the game, the serve, the two-bounce rule, the kitchen, and how to win, in one place.