How does scoring work in a game of tennis?

B · Beginner · How do you score and win? · 1 of 8

Checked 13 October 2026

A game is won by the first player to four points, called 15, 30, 40 and game, with zero called "love". If both reach 40, the score is deuce. A player must then win two points in a row: the first gives advantage, the second the game. The server's score is always called first.

How it works

Points won	Called
0	Love
1	15
2	30
3	40
4	Game, if the opponent has two or fewer
3 each	Deuce
One point after deuce	Advantage to that player

From advantage, winning the next point wins the game. Losing it returns the score to deuce.
There is no limit to how many times a game can return to deuce.
The same player serves for the whole game.

Tricky cases

Why is it 15, 30, 40 and not 1, 2, 3?

The rules give the names but not the reason. The names are centuries old and their origin is not certain.

What does "love" mean?

Zero. "30-love" means the server has two points and the receiver none.

Whose score is said first?

The server's.

Is there always an advantage point after deuce?

It depends on the event. Under no-ad scoring, which events may choose, one deciding point is played at deuce.

Why the rule exists

Needing a two-point margin at the end means a game cannot be won on a single lucky point from level.

Where it differs

Where	What changes	Source
Standard game	As above	L5 a
No-ad scoring, if the event uses it	One deciding point at deuce; the receiver chooses the side	App VI
Tie-break game	Points counted 1, 2, 3	L5 b

From the rule book

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 5 and Appendix VI. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITF Rules of Tennis (PDF).