Badminton can be played in singles or doubles, and both formats follow the same basic rules but differ in court boundaries, serving rules, player positioning and match strategy. Singles involves one player on each side, while doubles features two players on each side. Understanding these differences helps players make better decisions on the court and avoid common faults during a match.
The main difference between badminton singles and doubles is the playing area. Both formats use a court that is 13.40 metres long, but the singles court is 5.18 metres wide, whereas the doubles court is 6.10 metres wide. The service areas also differ, particularly along the sidelines and back boundary. Both formats generally use a best-of-three-games scoring system, with each game played to 21 points.
This guide explains the rules of badminton singles vs doubles, official court dimensions, scoring systems, serving rules and the key differences between the two formats.
Badminton Singles vs Doubles: Key Differences
The following table summarises the main differences between singles and doubles badminton.
| Feature | Badminton Singles | Badminton Doubles |
| Players | 1 vs 1 | 2 vs 2 |
| Court length | 13.40 m | 13.40 m |
| Court width | 5.18 m | 6.10 m |
| Side boundaries | Inner sidelines | Outer sidelines |
| Service area | Narrow and long | Wide and short |
| Service rotation | Based on the server’s score | Based on the serving side’s score and service sequence |
| Scoring system | Usually best of 3 games to 21 points | Usually best of 3 games to 21 points |
| Rally coverage | One player covers the entire court | Two players share court coverage |
| Common strategies | Placement, endurance and movement | Coordination, attacking formations and quick exchanges |
Read More: Badminton Clear Shot Technique
1. Badminton Court Dimensions: Singles vs Doubles
The badminton court uses the same overall length for singles and doubles. The difference lies in the sidelines used to determine whether a shot lands in or out. A single court can accommodate both formats because the relevant boundaries are marked on the same playing surface.
Singles badminton court dimensions
The standard singles court measures:
- Length: 13.40 metres
- Width: 5.18 metres
- Playing area: Approximately 69.41 square metres
The inner sidelines define the width of the singles court. The outer sidelines are not used as the side boundaries for singles rallies.
During a rally, the shuttlecock must land within the singles boundaries to count as in. If it lands outside the inner sidelines or beyond the back boundary, the shot is out.
Doubles badminton court dimensions
The standard doubles court measures:
- Length: 13.40 metres
- Width: 6.10 metres
- Playing area: Approximately 81.74 square metres
Doubles uses the outer sidelines, making the playing area wider than in singles. The additional width gives players more space to attack and defend, although it also creates more angles for opponents to exploit.
Important court measurements
According to the standard court specifications in the Laws of Badminton, the key measurements are listed below. All court lines form part of the area they define, so if the shuttlecock lands on a relevant boundary line, it is considered in.
| Court feature | Official measurement |
| Court length | 13.40 m |
| Doubles court width | 6.10 m |
| Singles court width | 5.18 m |
| Short service line from the net | 1.98 m |
| Doubles long service line from the back boundary | 0.76 m |
| Net height at the posts | 1.55 m |
| Net height at the centre | 1.524 m |
| Width of court lines | 40 mm |
2. Badminton Singles Rules
Singles badminton is played between two players, with each player responsible for covering their entire half of the court. Since there is no partner to share the workload, players need to combine accurate shot placement, quick movement and stamina.
Singles serving rules
The server’s position depends on the server’s score:
- When the server’s score is even, the serve is made from the right service court.
- When the server’s score is odd, the serve is made from the left service court.
- The serve must travel diagonally into the opponent’s corresponding service court.
- The shuttlecock must land within the singles service boundaries.
For example, if the server has 4 points, they serve from the right. If the score is 5, they serve from the left.
If the server wins the rally, they score a point and serve again from the opposite service court. If the receiver wins the rally, they score a point and become the server.
Singles rally rules
During a singles rally, players can use clears, drops, smashes, drives and net shots to move their opponent around the court. A player wins the rally when the opponent commits a fault or fails to return the shuttlecock legally.
A shot landing outside the singles sidelines is out, even if it would have landed within the wider doubles court.
3. Badminton Doubles Rules
Doubles badminton is played between two teams of two players each. Partners share responsibility for defending their side of the court, and their positioning depends on the type of shot, the rally situation and the team’s attacking or defensive strategy.
Doubles serving rules
The doubles service rules differ from singles in how the service court and server are determined.
- The serving side serves diagonally into the opposite service court.
- When the serving side’s score is even, the serve begins from the right service court.
- When the serving side’s score is odd, the serve begins from the left service court.
- If the serving side wins the rally, the same server serves again from the alternate service court.
- If the receiving side wins the rally, it earns a point and becomes the serving side.
Unlike older doubles scoring systems, modern badminton does not give a team separate first and second serves. A side loses the serve when it loses a rally.
Doubles player positioning
Players commonly use two formations:
Attacking formation: One player stays near the front of the court while the other covers the rear. This formation helps the team apply pressure through smashes, drops and net interceptions.
Defensive formation: Both players position themselves side by side to cover the wider court and respond to attacks. This formation is particularly useful when returning smashes.
These are tactical formations rather than fixed rules. Players can change positions during a rally as the situation requires.
Doubles rally rules
In doubles, the shuttlecock can land anywhere within the wider doubles court during a rally. A shot landing between the inner and outer sidelines can be in for doubles but out for singles.
Both partners may hit the shuttlecock, but the same player cannot hit it twice consecutively as two separate strokes during a rally. A team must also avoid obstructing its opponents or touching the net with the racket or body while the shuttle is in play.
4. Singles vs Doubles Service Court Dimensions
One of the most important differences between badminton singles and doubles is the shape of the service area. The boundaries change for the serve, even though the same court is used for both formats.
Singles service court
The singles service court is narrow and long.
- The inner sidelines define its width.
- The short service line marks the front boundary.
- The back boundary line marks the rear limit of the service court.
A singles serve that lands beyond the back boundary is out. The full length of the singles court is available for a legal serve, provided the shuttle lands within the correct diagonal service court.
Doubles service court
The doubles service court is wide and short.
- The outer sidelines define its width.
- The short service line marks the front boundary.
- The doubles long service line, located 0.76 metres inside the back boundary, marks the rear limit.
This means that a serve landing in the area between the doubles long service line and the back boundary is out in doubles, even though the same area is within the singles service court.
Remember: During rallies, doubles uses the full width and length of the court. The shorter rear boundary applies to the doubles serve only, not to ordinary rally shots.
5. Badminton Scoring System: Singles vs Doubles
Singles and doubles generally follow the same scoring system under the standard Laws of Badminton. A match is usually the best of three games, and each game is played to 21 points.
How the scoring system works
- Every rally counts: The side winning a rally scores one point, regardless of which side served.
- A game is normally won at 21 points: A side must reach 21 points and lead by at least two points.
- At 20–20: Play continues until one side establishes a two-point lead.
- At 29–29: The side that scores the 30th point wins the game.
- Winning the match: The first side to win two games wins the match.
For example, a game can finish at 21–18 or 22–20. If the score reaches 29–29, the next point decides the game, resulting in a 30–29 score. These scoring rules apply to both singles and doubles.
Intervals and change of ends
Players get a 60-second interval when the leading score reaches 11 points in a game. A two-minute interval is allowed between games.
Players change ends at the end of the first game, at the end of the second game if a third game is required, and during the third game when one side first reaches 11 points.
These provisions apply to both formats under the standard rules.
6. Common Faults in Singles and Doubles
Most faults apply to both formats, although the service boundaries differ. Understanding these rules helps players avoid losing points unnecessarily.
- Service fault: The server fails to deliver a legal serve, including serving into the wrong service court or failing to meet the prescribed service requirements.
- Out shot: The shuttlecock lands outside the applicable singles or doubles boundaries.
- Net fault: A player touches the net or its supports with their racket, body or clothing while the shuttle is in play.
- Double hit: A player hits the shuttle twice consecutively as separate strokes or a team hits it successively between partners.
- Shuttle not crossing the net: The shuttle fails to pass over the net into the opponent’s court.
- Obstruction: A player deliberately distracts an opponent through prohibited actions or obstructs a legal stroke.
The rules governing faults, lets and service are set out in the Laws of Badminton.
7. Which is Better: Badminton Singles or Doubles?
The choice between singles and doubles depends on your playing style, fitness, preferred pace and whether you enjoy playing independently or with a partner.
Singles badminton is suitable for players who enjoy individual competition, court coverage and tactical shot placement. It requires players to defend the entire singles court, making movement, stamina and consistency important.
Doubles badminton is a good option for players who enjoy teamwork, fast exchanges and coordinated attacking strategies. Although each player covers a smaller share of the court, the pace can be intense because opponents can attack through steep smashes, quick drives and net interceptions.
Both formats develop different skills, and neither is universally easier. Singles places greater emphasis on individual movement and endurance, while doubles demands communication, anticipation and coordination.
Conclusion
Badminton singles and doubles share the same fundamental rules and generally use the same best-of-three-games scoring system, but their court boundaries and service rules differ. Singles uses a narrower court measuring 5.18 metres in width, while doubles uses the full 6.10-metre width. The singles service court is long and narrow, whereas the doubles service court is wide and shorter at the rear.
Knowing these differences helps players serve correctly, judge whether a shot is in or out, and position themselves more effectively during rallies. Whether you prefer the individual challenge of singles or the teamwork of doubles, understanding the official rules is essential to playing badminton confidently.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Singles is played by one player against another, while doubles is played by two players on each side. Singles uses a narrower court, and doubles uses the full court width. Their service court boundaries also differ.
Both formats use a court measuring 13.40 metres in length. However, the singles playing width is 5.18 metres, while the doubles playing width is 6.10 metres.
Yes. Under the standard scoring system, both formats generally use the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. A two-point lead is required at 20–20, but the score is capped at 30.
No. During singles, shots landing outside the inner sidelines are out, even if they land within the wider doubles court. During doubles rallies, the outer sidelines define the playing area.
The doubles long service line is 0.76 metres inside the back boundary. A serve landing behind this line is out in doubles. Singles uses the back boundary as the rear limit of its service court.
