What makes a serve illegal in table tennis?
I · Intermediate · Serving · 2 of 7A serve is a fault if the ball is not on an open palm, is tossed less than 16 cm or with spin, is hit on the way up, is hit over the table or below its surface, is hidden from the receiver or misses either court. A fault gives the point to the receiver.
How it works
| Fault | The rule it breaks |
|---|---|
| Ball cupped or held in the fingers | It must rest freely on the open palm |
| Hand moving at the start | The free hand must be stationary |
| Low toss | The ball must rise at least 16 cm |
| Toss thrown backwards or sideways | It must be near vertical |
| Spin on the toss | None is allowed |
| Hit on the way up | The ball must be falling |
| Ball over the table or below the surface | It must be behind the end line and above the surface until struck |
| Hidden serve | The ball must be visible to the receiver throughout; the free arm must move away |
| Misses the server's court, or the receiver's | It must touch both, in that order |
- It is the server's job to serve so that the umpire or assistant umpire can see that the serve is legal.
- If an official is unsure about a serve, on the first occasion in a match they may stop play and warn the server, with no point scored.
- After that warning, any serve by that player, or their doubles partner, that is not plainly legal is a fault.
- A serve that is plainly illegal is a fault at once, with no warning.
Tricky cases
Does a player get a warning before every fault?
No. There is one warning in a match, and only for a doubtful serve. A plainly illegal serve loses the point.
The server missed the ball completely. Is that a fault?
Yes. Once the ball has been thrown up for the serve it is in play, and the server has failed to make a correct service.
Can the server hide the ball with their body?
No. Neither the server, nor their doubles partner, nor anything they wear or carry may hide the ball from the receiver.
Why the rule exists
Each requirement closes a way of disguising the serve. The single warning stops doubt always being settled in the server's favour.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ITTF Laws | As above | L2.6; L2.10.1.1 |
From the rule book
ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws 2.5.2, 2.6 and 2.10.1.1. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITTF Statutes (PDF).