Table Tennis Rules

What you need to know to play a fun game of ping-pong

Or read the official rules here
Sometimes all you want to know are the basic rules to play a friendly match of ping pong. This
section is for you. However if you want the official rules, then read this.
In singles, the center lines serve no purpose, so ignore them.
Scoring
A match is played best 3 of 5 games (or 4/7 or 5/9). For each game, the first player to reach 11
points wins that game, however a game must be won by at least a two point margin.
A point is scored after each ball is put into play (not just when the server wins the point as in
volleyball).
The edges of the table are part of the legal table surface, but not the sides.
Flow of the match
Each player serves two points in a row and then switch server. However, if a score of 10-10 is
reached in any game, then each server serves only one point and then the server is switched.
After each game, the players switch side of the table. In the final game (ie 5th game), the players
switch side again after either player reaches 5 points.
Legal serve
The ball must rest on an open hand palm. Then it must be tossed up at least 6 inches and struck
so the ball first bounces on the server's side and then the opponent's side.
If the serve is legal except that it touches the net, it is called a let serve. Let serves are not scored
and are reserved.
Equipment
The paddle should have a red and a black side. The ball should be either orange or white and 40
mm in size. The table should be 2.74 meters long, 1.525 m wide, and 0.76 m high.
 Table Tennis Rules

Official Table Tennis Rules

For an easy to read quick quide, read this instead.
Current as of 2012. source ITTF

2 THE LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS

2.01 THE TABLE

2.01.01 The upper surface of the table, known as the playing surface, shall be
rectangular, 2.74m long and 1.525m wide, and shall lie in a horizontal plane
76cm above the floor.
2.01.02 The playing surface shall not include the vertical sides of the tabletop.
2.01.03 The playing surface may be of any material and shall yield a uniform
bounce of about 23cm when a standard ball is dropped on to it from a height
of 30cm.
2.01.04 The playing surface shall be uniformly dark coloured and matt, but with a
white side line, 2cm wide, along each 2.74m edge and a white end line, 2cm
wide, along each 1.525m edge.
2.01.05 The playing surface shall be divided into 2 equal courts by a vertical net
running parallel with the end lines, and shall be continuous over the whole
area of each court.
2.01.06 For doubles, each court shall be divided into 2 equal half-courts by a
white centre line, 3mm wide, running parallel with the side lines; the centre
line shall be regarded as part of each right half-court.

2.02 THE NET ASSEMBLY

2.02.01 The net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension and the
supporting posts, including the clamps attaching them to the table.
2.02.02 The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each end to an upright
post 15.25cm high, the outside limits of the post being 15.25cm outside the
side line.
2.02.03 The top of the net, along its whole length, shall be 15.25cm above the
playing surface.
2.02.04 The bottom of the net, along its whole length, shall be as close as possible
to the playing surface and the ends of the net shall be as close as possible to
the supporting posts.

2.03 THE BALL

2.03.01 The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40mm.
2.03.02 The ball shall weigh 2.7g.
2.03.03 The ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall
be white or orange, and matt.
2.04 THE RACKET
2.04.01 The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat
and rigid.
2.04.02 At least 85% of the blade by thickness shall be of natural wood; an
adhesive layer within the blade may be reinforced with fibrous material such
as carbon fibre, glass fibre or compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than
7.5% of the total thickness or 0.35mm, whichever is the smaller.
2.04.03 A side of the blade used for striking the ball shall be covered with either
ordinary pimpled rubber, with pimples outwards having a total thickness
including adhesive of not more than 2.0mm, or sandwich rubber, with
pimples inwards or outwards, having a total thickness including adhesive of
not more than 4.0mm.
2.04.03.01 Ordinary pimpled rubber is a single layer of non-cellular rubber, natural
or synthetic, with pimples evenly distributed over its surface at a density of
not less than 10 per cm2 and not more than 30 per cm2.
2.04.03.02 Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single
outer layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled rubber
not being more than 2.0mm.
2.04.04 The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the
blade, except that the part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers may
be left uncovered or covered with any material.
2.04.05 The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering material
or adhesive on a side used for striking the ball shall be continuous and of
even thickness.
2.04.06 The surface of the covering material on a side of the blade, or of a side of
the blade if it is left uncovered, shall be matt, bright red on one side and
black on the other.
2.04.07 The racket covering shall be used without any physical, chemical or other
treatment.
2.04.07.01 Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour due to
accidental damage or wear may be allowed provided that they do not
significantly change the characteristics of the surface.
2.04.08 Before the start of a match and whenever he or she changes his or her
racket during a match a player shall show his or her opponent and the umpire
the racket he or she is about to use and shall allow them to examine it.

2.05 DEFINITIONS
2.05.01 A rally is the period during which the ball is in play.
2.05.02 The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the
palm of the free hand before being intentionally projected in service until the
rally is decided as a let or a point.
2.05.03 A let is a rally of which the result is not scored.
2.05.04 A point is a rally of which the result is scored.
2.05.05 The racket hand is the hand carrying the racket.
2.05.06 The free hand is the hand not carrying the racket; the free arm is the arm
of the free hand.
2.05.07 A player strikes the ball if he or she touches it in play with his or her
racket, held in the hand, or with his or her racket hand below the wrist.
2.05.08 A player obstructs the ball if he or she, or anything he or she wears or
carries, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing
surface, not having touched his or her court since last being struck by his or
her opponent.
2.05.09 The server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally.
2.05.10 The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally.
2.05.11 The umpire is the person appointed to control a match.
2.05.12 The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire with
certain decisions.
2.05.13 Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that he or she
was wearing or carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally.
2.05.14 The ball shall be regarded as passing over or around the net assembly if it
passes anywhere other than between the net and the net post or between the
net and the playing surface.
2.05.15 The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions.

2.06 THE SERVICE

2.06.01 Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the
server's stationary free hand.
2.06.02 The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without
imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16cm after leaving the palm of the free
hand and then falls without touching anything before being struck.
2.06.03 As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his or
her court and then, after passing over or around the net assembly, touches
directly the receiver's court; in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the
right half court of server and receiver.
2.06.04 From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level
of the playing surface and behind the server's end line, and it shall not be
hidden from the receiver by the server or his or her doubles partner or by
anything they wear or carry.
2.06.05 As soon as the ball has been projected, the server's free arm and hand
shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net.
The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and its
indefinite upward extension.
2.06.06 It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or the
assistant umpire can be satisfied that he or she complies with the
requirements of the Laws, and either may decide that a service is incorrect.
2.06.06.01 If either the umpire or the assistant umpire is not sure about the legality of
a service he or she may, on the first occasion in a match, interrupt play and
warn the server; but any subsequent service by that player or his or her
doubles partner which is not clearly legal shall be considered incorrect.
2.06.07 Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a correct service
where he or she is satisfied that compliance is prevented by physical
disability.

2.07 THE RETURN

2.07.01 The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it passes
over or around the net assembly and touches the opponent's court, either
directly or after touching the net assembly.

2.08 THE ORDER OF PLAY

2.08.01 In singles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then
make a return and thereafter server and receiver alternately shall each make a
return.
2.08.02 In doubles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then
make a return, the partner of the server shall then make a return, the partner
of the receiver shall then make a return and thereafter each player in turn in
that sequence shall make a return.
2.08.03 When two players who are in wheelchairs due to a physical disability are
a pair playing doubles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall
then make a return but thereafter either player of the disabled pair may make
returns. However, no part of a player's wheelchair shall protrude beyond the
imaginary extension of the centre line of the table. If it does, the umpire shall
award the point to the opposing pair.

2.09 A LET
2.09.01 The rally shall be a let
2.09.01.01 if in service the ball, in passing over or around the net assembly, touches
it, provided the service is otherwise correct or the ball is obstructed by the
receiver or his or her partner;
2.09.01.02 if the service is delivered when the receiving player or pair is not ready,
provided that neither the receiver nor his or her partner attempts to strike the
ball;
2.09.01.03 if failure to make a service or a return or otherwise to comply with the
Laws is due to a disturbance outside the control of the player;
2.09.01.04 if play is interrupted by the umpire or assistant umpire;
2.09.01.05 if the receiver is in wheelchair owing to a physical disability and in
service the ball, provided that the service is otherwise correct,
2.09.01.05.0 after touching the receiver's court returns in the direction of the net;
1
2.09.01.05.0 comes to rest on the receiver's court;
2
2.09.01.05.0 in singles leaves the receiver's court after touching it by either of its
3 sidelines.
2.09.02 Play may be interrupted
2.09.02.01 to correct an error in the order of serving, receiving or ends;
2.09.02.02 to introduce the expedite system;
2.09.02.03 to warn or penalise a player or adviser;
2.09.02.04 because the conditions of play are disturbed in a way which could affect
the outcome of the rally.

2.10 A POINT
2.10.01 Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point
2.10.01.01 if an opponent fails to make a correct service;
2.10.01.02 if an opponent fails to make a correct return;
2.10.01.03 if, after he or she has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything
other than the net assembly before being struck by an opponent;
2.10.01.04 if the ball passes over his or her court or beyond his or her end line
without touching his or her court, after being struck by an opponent;
2.10.01.05 if an opponent obstructs the ball;
2.10.01.06 if an opponent deliberately strikes the ball twice in succession;
2.10.01.07 if an opponent strikes the ball with a side of the racket blade whose
surface does not comply with the requirements of 2.4.3, 2.4.4 and 2.4.5;
2.10.01.08 if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, moves the
playing surface;
2.10.01.09 if an opponent, or anything an opponent wears or carries, touches the net
assembly;
2.10.01.10 if an opponent's free hand touches the playing surface;
2.10.01.11 if a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence established by
the first server and first receiver;
2.10.01.12 as provided under the expedite system (2.15.4).
2.10.01.13 if both players or pairs are in a wheelchair due to a physical disability and
2.10.01.13.0 his or her opponent does not maintain a minimum contact with the seat or
1 cushion(s), with the back of the thigh, when the ball is struck;
2.10.01.13.0 his or her opponent touches the table with either hand before striking the
2 ball;
2.10.01.13.0 his or her opponent's footrest or foot touches the floor during play.
3
2.10.01.14 as provided under the order of play (2.8.3).

2.11 A GAME
2.11.01 A game shall be won by the player or pair first scoring 11 points unless
both players or pairs score 10 points, when the game shall be won by the first
player or pair subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points.
2.12 A MATCH
2.12.01 A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of games.

2.13 THE ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS

2.13.01 The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving and ends shall
be decided by lot and the winner may choose to serve or to receive first or to
start at a particular end.
2.13.02 When one player or pair has chosen to serve or to receive first or to start
at a particular end, the other player or pair shall have the other choice.
2.13.03 After each 2 points have been scored the receiving player or pair shall
become the serving player or pair and so on until the end of the game, unless
both players or pairs score 10 points or the expedite system is in operation,
when the sequences of serving and receiving shall be the same but each
player shall serve for only 1 point in turn.
2.13.04 In each game of a doubles match, the pair having the right to serve first
shall choose which of them will do so and in the first game of a match the
receiving pair shall decide which of them will receive first; in subsequent
games of the match, the first server having been chosen, the first receiver
shall be the player who served to him or her in the preceding game.
2.13.05 In doubles, at each change of service the previous receiver shall become
the server and the partner of the previous server shall become the receiver.
2.13.06 The player or pair serving first in a game shall receive first in the next
game of the match and in the last possible game of a doubles match the pair
due to receive next shall change their order of receiving when first one pair
scores 5 points.
2.13.07 The player or pair starting at one end in a game shall start at the other end
in the next game of the match and in the last possible game of a match the
players or pairs shall change ends when first one player or pair
scores 5 points.

2.14 OUT OF ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING OR ENDS

2.14.01 If a player serves or receives out of turn, play shall be interrupted by the
umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall resume with those players
serving and receiving who should be server and receiver respectively at the
score that has been reached, according to the sequence established at the
beginning of the match and, in doubles, to the order of serving chosen by the
pair having the right to serve first in the game during which the error is
discovered.
2.14.02 If the players have not changed ends when they should have done so, play
shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall
resume with the players at the ends at which they should be at the score that
has been reached, according to the sequence established at the beginning of
the match.
2.14.03 In any circumstances, all points scored before the discovery of an error
shall be reckoned.
 2.15 THE EXPEDITE SYSTEM
2.15.01 Except as provided in 2.15.2, the expedite system shall come into
operation after 10 minutes' play in a game or at any time requested by both
players or pairs.
2.15.02 The expedite system shall not be introduced in a game if at least 18 points
have been scored.
2.15.03 If the ball is in play when the time limit is reached and the expedite
system is due to come into operation, play shall be interrupted by the umpire
and shall resume with service by the player who served in the rally that was
interrupted; If the ball is not in play when the expedite system comes into
operation, play shall resume with service by the player who received in the
immediately preceding rally.
2.15.04 Thereafter, each player shall serve for 1 point in turn until the end of the
game, and if the receiving player or pair makes 13 correct returns in a rally
the receiver shall score a point.
2.15.05 Introduction of the expedite system shall not alter the order of serving and
receiving in the match, as defined in 2.13.6.
2.15.06 Once introduced, the expedite system shall remain in operation until the
end of the match.

For an easy to read quick quide, read this instead.