Tennis scoring systems
The scoring methods the ITF Rules actually authorise — the advantage set, the tie-break set, the standard tie-break game, and the short sets and match tie-breaks in Appendix VI.
Overview
A standard game is scored with the server's score called first: no point is "Love", the first point "15", the second "30", the third "40" and the fourth "Game" — except that if each player or team has won three points the score is "Deuce".
After Deuce the score is "Advantage" for the player or team who wins the next point. If that same side also wins the next point they win the game; if the opposing side wins it, the score returns to Deuce. A side needs two consecutive points immediately after Deuce to win the game.
Two ways to score a set
The Rules name two main methods. In an "Advantage Set" the first side to win six games wins the set, provided there is a margin of two games; if necessary the set continues until that margin is achieved. In a "Tie-break Set" the first side to win six games wins it with a two-game margin, but if the score reaches six games all a tie-break game is played.
Either method may be used provided the one to be used is announced in advance of the event. If the Tie-break Set method is used, it must ALSO be announced whether the final set will be played as a Tie-break Set or an Advantage Set.
The standard tie-break game
During a tie-break, points are scored "Zero", "1", "2", "3" and so on. The first side to win seven points wins the game and the set, provided there is a margin of two points; if necessary it continues until that margin is achieved.
The player whose turn it is to serve serves the first point. The following two points are served by the opponent. After this, each side serves alternately for two consecutive points until the end. The side whose turn it was to serve first in the tie-break is the receiver in the first game of the following set.
Alternative methods in Appendix VI
Short Sets: the first side to win four games wins the set, provided there is a margin of two games. At four games all a tie-break is played — or, at the sanctioning body's discretion, at three games all.
A Short Set Tie-break to five points may be used when playing Short Sets, with a deciding point at four all; the order and number of serves is set by the sanctioning body, and sides change ends only after the first four points. A Match Tie-break to seven points may replace a deciding final set when the score reaches one set all, or two sets all in a best-of-five match.
Match length
A match can be played to the best of 3 sets, where a side needs to win 2, or to the best of 5 sets, where a side needs to win 3.
Which is used is a competition decision. The Rules provide both and do not prefer either.
How it works
- After Deuce a side must win two consecutive points to take the game.
- The Advantage Set and the Tie-break Set are both authorised methods.
- The scoring method must be announced in advance of the event.
- A tie-break is first to seven points with a two-point margin.
- Short Sets, a five-point Short Set Tie-break and a Match Tie-break are in Appendix VI.
Where it’s used
Sports that use tennis scoring systems:
Related scoring systems
Tennis scoring
Tennis is scored in points, games and sets, using the distinctive 15–30–40 point sequence and a win-by-two margin at every level.
Padel scoring
Padel borrows tennis scoring, counting points as 15–30–40 within games and playing sets to six games decided by a tiebreak.
Tiebreak scoring
A tiebreak is a short deciding game used in racket sports to settle a set that has reached an even number of games, scored in simple numbers to a fixed target.
Sources
The rules, dimensions and specifications on this page were read from these documents.
- ITF Rules of Tennis — International Tennis Federation, 2026, Rules 5, 6, 7 — Score in a game, set and match; Appendix VI — Alternative procedures and scoring methods (read 2026-09-12)
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- 2026-09-01
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