Badminton Rules: Scoring, Serve & Net Height
Badminton is the fastest racket sport on the planet, and it is shockingly easy to set up in the backyard. You knock a feathered shuttlecock (the 'birdie') back and forth over a net, and you score every time it hits the ground on your opponent's side. Backyard sets are casual, but knowing the real rules keeps the rallies honest and the trash talk earned.
What you need
- A net set to 5 ft at the center (5 ft 1 in at the posts)
- Two or four rackets
- Shuttlecocks (feather for serious play, nylon for durable backyard use)
- A flat, open patch of lawn or driveway
- Optional: boundary markers or chalk lines for a real court
How to play badminton
- Set up the netStretch the net across the middle of your court so the top sits 5 ft high at the center and 5 ft 1 in at the side posts. The court is 44 ft long; singles is 17 ft wide, doubles is 20 ft wide.
- Decide singles or doublesTwo players square off in singles. Four players (two per side) play doubles, which uses the wider sidelines. Pick before you serve so everyone knows the boundaries.
- Serve diagonally and underhandThe server stands inside their service court and hits the shuttle underhand, with contact below the waist and the racket head pointed down. The serve must travel diagonally into the opponent's far service box.
- Rally until the shuttle landsPlayers take turns hitting the shuttle over the net. A shuttle that lands inside the boundary lines scores against that side. You may only hit the shuttle once per side.
- Score on every rallyWhoever wins the rally scores a point and serves next. There is no need to be serving to score (rally scoring).
- Switch service courts as you scoreWhen the serving side's score is even, they serve from the right court; when it is odd, they serve from the left. This keeps the diagonal serve alternating correctly.
Scoring
- Games are played to 21 points using rally scoring (every rally scores, regardless of who served).
- You must win by 2 points. If the score reaches 20-20, play continues until one side leads by 2.
- There is a hard cap at 30. At 29-29, the first side to reach 30 wins the game.
- A match is best of three games. Players switch ends after each game.
Distance & setup
Fun variations
- Casual rally: skip strict serving rules and just keep the shuttle alive for fun or a target streak.
- Singles: one player per side, narrower court, more running and longer rallies.
- Doubles: two per side, wider court, faster exchanges at the net.
- Speed badminton / crossminton: played with a heavier shuttle and no net, great for windy days.
Badminton rules FAQ
What is the height of a badminton net?
A badminton net is 5 ft (1.524 m) high at the center and 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) at the posts. Backyard sets are often adjustable, so set the center to roughly 5 ft for an authentic feel.
How do you score in badminton?
Badminton uses rally scoring to 21 points. The side that wins the rally scores a point and serves next, whether or not they were serving. You must win by 2, with a hard cap at 30 points.
What are the serving rules in badminton?
The serve must be hit underhand with contact below the server's waist and the racket head pointing downward. It travels diagonally into the opponent's opposite service court. Serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when it is odd.
Can the shuttle hit the net on a serve?
Yes. As long as the serve clears the net and lands in the correct service court, a serve that clips the top of the net is in play and counts. There is no service let for touching the net in modern rules.
Is it singles or doubles in backyard badminton?
Either works. Singles uses the narrower 17 ft width and is more of a workout, while doubles uses the full 20 ft width and is more social. Most backyard games are casual doubles.
What counts as a fault in badminton?
Common faults include the shuttle landing out of bounds, hitting the shuttle twice on one side, the shuttle failing to clear the net, touching the net with your body or racket, and an illegal serve (above the waist or overhand).
Ready to play?
Grab a set and start your league this weekend. We ranked the best badminton sets for every budget.
See our top badminton picks → Printable rules card