Sport Scoring SolutionsTennis scoring: the rules and a free score keeper
Tennis scoring is famously odd: love, 15, 30, 40, deuce. Add tie-breaks, no-ad games and different deciding-set rules, and it is easy to lose track during a club match. This guide explains the scoring step by step. Our free tennis scorer keeps track of points, games, sets and the server for singles and doubles.
Watch: how to play tennis
Points and games
- Points in a game are called love (0), 15, 30, 40. The next point wins the game.
- At 40–40 (deuce) a player must win two points in a row: the first gives advantage, the second wins the game. If the player with advantage loses the next point, it is back to deuce.
- With no-ad scoring, a single deciding point is played at deuce. The receiver chooses which side to receive from (in doubles, the receiving pair chooses). It is popular in league, college and doubles tennis because it keeps matches short.
Sets and tie-breaks
- A set is won by the first player to win 6 games with a two-game lead.
- At 6–6 a tie-break is played to 7 points, with a two-point lead. The set is recorded as 7–6, often with the loser's tie-break points in brackets, for example 7–6 (4).
- In a tie-break, the player due to serve serves the first point. After that each player serves two points in turn, starting from the left (ad) court. Players change ends after every 6 points.
- Short sets (first to 4 games, tie-break at 4–4) are used in junior events and some social formats. Choose 4 games per set in the app.
The deciding set
| Option | How it works | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| Normal set, tie-break to 7 | Played like any other set. | Most club and tour matches |
| Tie-break to 10 at 6–6 | The deciding set is played normally, but a 6–6 tie-break goes to 10 points. | The four Grand Slams since 2022 |
| Match tie-break | Instead of a third set, a tie-break to 10 points (two clear) decides the match. | Tour doubles, many leagues and club events |
| Advantage set | No tie-break, the set continues until a player is two games ahead. | Traditional formats |
Serving and changing ends
- Players serve alternate games. In doubles the serve rotates around all four players: a player from side 1, then side 2, then the partner from side 1, then the partner from side 2.
- Each game starts with a serve from the right (deuce) court. The server then alternates courts after every point.
- Players change ends after the first, third, fifth and every following odd game of each set, and every 6 points in a tie-break.
The app shows who serves and from which court, and when to change ends.
How to use the tennis scorer
- Choose singles or doubles and enter the names.
- Set the number of sets, games per set, the deuce rule and the deciding set.
- Choose who serves first, then tap the side that wins each point. Undo corrects mistakes.
- The finished score is saved under My results and can be shared.
These notes summarise the ITF Rules of Tennis for club and social play. For sanctioned events, follow the rules and format of the competition.