What are the rules for serving in table tennis?
B · Beginner · Serving · 4 of 6The serve starts with the ball resting on the open palm of the free hand. The server throws it up at least 16 cm, near vertically and without spin, and hits it on the way down so that it bounces once on their own side and then on the receiver's side.
How it works
- Start: the ball rests freely on the open palm of the stationary free hand.
- Toss: near vertically upwards, no spin, rising at least 16 cm after leaving the palm.
- Strike: as the ball is falling, and before it touches anything.
- Path: the ball touches the server's court first, then the receiver's court.
- Position: from the start of the serve until it is struck, the ball must be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server's end line.
- Visibility: the ball must not be hidden from the receiver at any point. As soon as the ball is thrown, the free arm and hand must be moved out of the space between the ball and the net.
- In singles the serve may go to any part of the receiver's court.
- A serve that fails any of these is a fault and the receiver scores. There is no second serve.
Tricky cases
Does the serve have to go diagonally?
No, not in singles. In doubles it must go from the server's right half to the receiver's right half.
Can the server toss the ball straight from the fingers?
No. The ball must rest on the open palm, so that it cannot be gripped or spun.
Can the server stand to the side of the table?
Yes, as long as the ball stays behind the end line, which counts as extending without limit to both sides.
Is there a second serve, as in tennis?
No. A faulty serve loses the point.
Why the rule exists
The serve is the one shot a player makes with complete control, so the Laws take away the ways of hiding it. An open palm and a real toss mean the receiver sees the ball all the way and can read the spin from the bat.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ITTF Laws | As above | L2.6 |
| A player with a physical disability | The umpire may relax the requirements | L2.6.7 |
From the rule book
ITTF Statutes 2026, Laws 2.5.14 and 2.6. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITTF Statutes (PDF).