Badminton scoring rules: the 21-point game
Keeping score is easier when both sides agree on the format before the first serve. This guide explains a best-of-three match with games to 21, the default setup in the LoveAll scorer.
By LoveAll · Reviewed
How points and games work
Every rally awards one point to its winner, whether that side served or received. Win two games to win a best-of-three match.
- A game normally ends at 21 points.
- At 20–20, play until one side leads by two points.
- At 29–29, the next point decides the game: 30–29.
A few scores you might see
| Score | What happens next |
|---|---|
| 21–18 | The game is over. |
| 21–20 | Keep playing: there is only a one-point lead. |
| 24–22 | The game is over with a two-point lead. |
| 29–29 | One deciding rally remains. |
Before starting with LoveAll
Choose singles or doubles, Best of 3, 21 Points, and Enable Deuce. Enter a name for each side. For doubles, put both partners in the side’s name so your shared result is easy to understand.
After a rally, tap the side that won it. If you tap the wrong side, use Undo before recording the next point. The scorer handles points, game totals, and the serving side.
Check the format for your event
BWF has approved a move to games of 15 from 4 January 2027. This page explains the 21-point format, so check the rules used by your club or competition.
LoveAll’s current shorter-game settings are casual options with a 30-point cap when deuce is enabled. They do not implement the new official 15-point format.