Badminton, explained properly
Official rules in plain English, court measurements you can trust, and gear advice for players at every level.
Rules checked against the BWF Laws of Badminton. Every measurement in metres and feet.
Find your way around the game
Rules & Scoring
Singles and doubles rules, serving, faults and the 21-point rally scoring system, written from the BWF Laws of Badminton in plain English.
Learn Badminton
How the game is played, where it came from and the words players use.
Skills & Training
Grips, shots, footwork and drills, starting with the drop shot.
Gear & Equipment
Rackets, shuttlecocks, shoes, nets and sets: what matters and what to skip.
Badminton vs
How it stacks up against tennis, pickleball, squash, padel and table tennis.
The court, drawn to scale
One court, two shapes of service box. Singles serves are long and narrow; doubles serves are short and wide.
| Official measurement | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 13.40 m | 44 ft |
| Court width, doubles | 6.10 m | 20 ft |
| Court width, singles | 5.18 m | 17 ft |
| Net height at the posts | 1.55 m | 5 ft 1 in |
| Net height at the centre | 1.524 m | 5 ft |
| Net to short service line | 1.98 m | 6 ft 6 in |
| Doubles long service line, from back | 0.76 m | 2 ft 6 in |
| Line width (lines are in) | 40 mm | about 1.5 in |
What makes a serve legal
The serve has the strictest rules in the game. Since 2018 the old waist rule has been replaced by a fixed height that umpires can measure.
- Whole shuttle below 1.15 m when you hit it
- Hit the cork first, in one forward swing
- Both feet still and on the floor, off the lines
- Serve diagonally: right court on an even score, left on odd
- A serve that clips the net and lands in the box is good
How a game is won
- Every rally scoresWin the rally and you win a point, whether or not you served.
- First to 21A game ends when a side reaches 21 points with a 2-point lead.
- 20 allPlay continues until one side leads by 2: 22-20, 24-22 and so on.
- 29 allThe next point wins. 30-29 is the highest possible score.
- Best of threeWin two games to win the match. Change ends at 11 in game three.
How hard a workout is badminton?
Estimated calories burned in one hour by a 70 kg adult. A competitive badminton match burns more than singles tennis.
Badminton Other racket sports
Show the data as a table
| Activity | MET | kcal per hour (70 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Badminton, competitive match play | 9.0 | 630 |
| Tennis, singles | 8.0 | 560 |
| Squash, general | 7.3 | 511 |
| Badminton, competitive | 7.0 | 490 |
| Tennis, doubles | 6.0 | 420 |
| Badminton, social | 5.5 | 385 |
| Table tennis | 4.0 | 280 |
Badminton vs other racket sports
| Badminton | Tennis | Pickleball | Table tennis | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playing area (doubles) | 13.4 × 6.1 m | 23.77 × 10.97 m | 13.41 × 6.10 m | 2.74 × 1.525 m table |
| Net height at centre | 1.524 m | 0.914 m | 0.864 m | 15.25 cm |
| Ball or shuttle weight | 4.74 to 5.50 g | 56.0 to 59.4 g | 22.1 to 26.5 g | 2.7 g |
| Bounce | Never: rally ends when it lands | Optional, volleys allowed | Required on serve and return, then optional | Always, once per side |
| Game length | 21 points, rally scoring | Games and sets | 11 points, win by 2 | 11 points, win by 2 |
Compare in detail: badminton vs tennis, pickleball vs badminton, badminton vs table tennis, squash and padel.
Choosing your first racket
Racket weight is graded with a “U” number: the higher the number, the lighter the frame. Most recreational players are happiest with a 4U or 5U racket and an even or head-light balance, which is quicker to swing and kinder on the arm.
| Weight grade | Frame weight | Feels | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2U | 90 to 94 g | Stable, powerful | Strong, experienced hitters |
| 3U | 85 to 89 g | Solid, heavier smash | Singles and power players |
| 4U | 80 to 84 g | Balanced all-rounder | Most club players |
| 5U | 75 to 79 g | Light, fast handling | Beginners, juniors, doubles at the net |
Latest guides
- Badminton Clubs: How to Find, Join and Get the Most From One
- Where Is Badminton Most Popular? The Countries That Love It Most
- How to Restring a Badminton Racket: Strings, Tension and Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Pronounce Badminton (and Common Mistakes to Avoid)
- Badminton Bags: How to Choose a Racket Bag or Backpack
- Badminton vs Platform Tennis: Two Very Different 44 x 20 ft Games
Quick answers
Is badminton played to 21 points?
Yes. Every game uses rally scoring to 21. At 20 all you must win by 2, and at 29 all the next point wins, so 30 is the maximum. A match is the best of three games. More on scoring.
What are the 5 basic rules of badminton?
Serve diagonally and underarm with the shuttle below 1.15 m. Each side hits the shuttle only once. Never touch the net or hit the shuttle on your opponent’s side. A shuttle landing on the line is in. Every rally wins a point, and 21 points wins the game. All the rules.
Is there a 7-0 rule in badminton?
No. The BWF Laws have no early-finish or “skunk” rule. Some social groups agree to end a game early when one side leads 7-0 or 11-0 to keep courts moving, but in any official match every game is played to 21.
Is a pickleball court the same size as a badminton court?
Almost. Both measure 20 by 44 feet for doubles, which is why halls often share lines. The nets and markings differ: a badminton net is 5 ft at the centre, a pickleball net 34 in, and pickleball has a 7 ft non-volley zone. Court dimensions.
Why is a shuttlecock called a birdie?
It is a nickname, mostly used in North America, because the feathered shuttle looks a little like a small bird. The official name in the Laws is shuttle. Shuttlecock guide.
Can badminton help you lose belly fat?
Badminton burns roughly 385 to 630 kcal an hour for a 70 kg adult, depending on intensity, so regular play supports overall fat loss. No sport can target fat from one area of the body; diet and total activity decide where you lose it.
About Dear Badminton
Dear Badminton is an independent guide for recreational and club players. Our rules pages follow the current BWF Laws of Badminton, measurements come from official specifications, and every gear guide explains the criteria behind its picks so you can judge for yourself.