Badminton is played with rackets and a shuttlecock over a net, in singles or doubles. The rules below follow the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Laws of Badminton. One big change is coming: BWF members approved a new 3×15 scoring system in April 2026, which becomes the standard format on 4 January 2027. Both systems are explained below.
Scoring: the current 21-point system
- A match is the best of three games.
- Every rally scores a point, whoever served (rally scoring).
- A game is won by the first side to 21 points with a 2-point lead.
- At 20-all, play continues until one side leads by 2. At 29-all, the next point wins, so the maximum is 30-29.
- Players get a 60-second interval when the leading score reaches 11, and 120 seconds between games.
- In a deciding third game, players change ends when the leading score reaches 11.
Scoring: the new 3×15 system (from January 2027)
- Still best of three games with rally scoring.
- Games are played to 15 points.
- At 14-all, a side needs a 2-point lead. At 20-all, the next point wins, so the maximum is 21-20.
- The 60-second interval comes when the leading score reaches 8, and ends change at 8 in the third game.
- Domestic events may still choose 3×21 as an alternative format.
Court dimensions
| Measurement | Size |
|---|---|
| Full court length | 13.40 m (44 ft) |
| Doubles width | 6.10 m (20 ft) |
| Singles width | 5.18 m (17 ft) |
| Short service line | 1.98 m from the net |
| Doubles long service line | 0.76 m inside the back boundary |
| Net height | 1.524 m at the center, 1.55 m at the posts |
Serving rules
- The serve is hit diagonally into the opponent’s service court.
- The server serves from the right court when their score is even and from the left when it is odd.
- The whole shuttle must be below 1.15 m from the court surface at the moment it is struck. This fixed service height replaced the old “below the waist” rule.
- The racket must hit the base (cork) of the shuttle first.
- Both feet must stay in contact with the floor, inside the service court, until the serve is made.
- In singles the serve must land within the long, narrow singles service court; in doubles it must land within the short, wide doubles service court.
Faults
A rally is lost when a player:
- hits the shuttle out of bounds, into the net, or under or through it,
- touches the net or posts with the racket, body or clothing,
- reaches over the net to hit the shuttle (following through after contact is allowed),
- hits the shuttle twice in succession, or both doubles partners hit it in succession,
- is hit by the shuttle, or
- deliberately distracts or obstructs an opponent.
A shuttle landing on a line is in.
Lets
A let means the rally is replayed with no point scored. Lets are called when the receiver was not ready for the serve, the shuttle gets caught on top of the net after passing it (except on the serve), or an unexpected event such as a shuttle from another court interrupts play.
Doubles service order
In doubles, only one player serves at a time. When the serving side wins a rally, the same player serves again from the other court. When the receiving side wins, they gain the serve, and partners do not switch courts unless they win a point on their own serve.
Equipment rules: racket and shuttlecock
The Laws of Badminton also set limits on equipment, which matters when you buy gear for league play.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Racket length | No more than 680 mm overall |
| Racket width | No more than 230 mm |
| Feather shuttle | 16 feathers fixed in a cork base, weighing 4.74 to 5.50 g |
| Synthetic shuttle | Allowed if its flight is similar to a feather shuttle |
| Shuttle speed | Tested before play; the right speed lands within a set zone near the far back line |
Rule myths beginners believe
- “You can only score when serving.” Not since 2006. Every rally scores a point.
- “A shuttle on the line is out.” It is in. Any part of the line counts as inside the court.
- “You cannot follow through over the net.” You can, as long as you hit the shuttle on your own side and do not touch the net.
- “The serve must go to the back line.” In singles, the long, narrow court applies; in doubles, the short, wide service court applies, so a deep doubles serve can be long.
- “A let is called when the serve clips the net.” No. A serve that touches the net and lands in the correct court is good.
Etiquette in casual games
Without an umpire, players call lines on their own side, give the benefit of the doubt when unsure, pass the shuttle under the net to the server, and replay the rally as a let when a shuttle from another court interferes.
Rules reference: BWF Laws of Badminton. National associations and leagues may add local regulations.
Officials and how matches are run
At tournament level, several officials work together to apply the Laws. The umpire runs the match from a high chair, calls the score and rules on faults. A service judge sits by the net and watches for service faults, while line judges call shuttles in or out on their assigned lines. At top events, players can challenge line calls using instant review technology, with a limited number of challenges per game. In casual and club play, players call their own lines and faults, so honesty and clear communication matter.
How to learn the rules quickly
- Start with scoring and the service rules, since these cause the most confusion.
- Learn the service courts for singles and doubles, which use different boundaries.
- Play practice games where one player acts as umpire and calls faults.
- Watch a professional match and follow the umpire’s calls and signals.
- Read the current BWF Laws of Badminton for official wording, and check any local league rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is a badminton game?
Under the current system, a game is played to 21 points, with a two-point lead needed and a cap at 30. From January 2027 the standard format becomes best of three games to 15, capped at 21. A shuttle landing on the line counts as in, which often decides close points.
How high can you serve in badminton?
Under the BWF Laws, the whole shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the court surface at the moment the server hits it. Many tournaments use a measuring device to help service judges enforce this.
Can you touch the net in badminton?
No. Touching the net with your racket, body or clothing while the shuttle is in play is a fault.
Sources: BWF Laws of Badminton, BWF: key changes under the 3×15 scoring system.
