How does scoring work in squash?
B · Beginner · Scoring and serving · 1 of 5The winner of every rally scores a point and serves next, whoever served. A game is played to 11. At 10-all it carries on until one player leads by two, with no upper limit. A match is normally the best of five games, so three games win it.
How it works
- Every rally counts: "The winner of a rally scores 1 point and serves to begin the next rally."
- A game: "played to 11 points".
- At 10-all: "the game continues until one player leads by 2 points".
- A match: "normally the best of 5 games, but may be the best of 3".
- Winning it: three games in a best of five, two in a best of three.
- The calls: the marker calls the server's score first.
- Game ball and match ball: called when a player needs one point for the game or the match.
- Hand out: called before the score when the serve changes hands.
- A let: neither player wins the rally, and the server serves again from the same box.
- Continuous: play must be continuous as far as is practical.
The glossary has the point, the game, the match, point-a-rally scoring, the game ball and match ball entry and hand out.
Tricky cases
The score is 10-10. Is the next point the game?
No. The game continues until one player leads by two points.
How high can a game go?
There is no cap in the rules. The marker's example calls include "13-12, Match Ball".
Does the receiver score if they win the rally?
Yes. The winner of a rally scores a point and takes the serve.
A rally is replayed as a let. Does the score change?
No. A let is a rally that neither player wins.
Why the rule exists
Scoring on every rally makes the length of a game predictable and every rally worth the same, which is easier to follow than the older system where only the server could score. Winning by two means a game cannot be decided by one lucky bounce at 10-all.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Games to 11, best of five | WSF Rule 2.2; 2.3 |
| Shorter format | Best of three games | WSF Rule 2.3 |
| Doubles and hardball | Separate rules, not covered here | WSF Rule 1.1 |
From the rule book
World Squash Federation, Rules of Singles Squash (version 1.2.2, effective 1 September 2025), Rules 1 and 2, Rule 3.5 and Appendices 1 and 2. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Squash Singles Rules 2025 (PDF).