Blog/Squash Rules
SQUASH RULES GUIDE

How Squash Scoring
Works.

A complete guide to squash scoring - PAR-11, win by 2, serve rotation, and match format. Everything you need to keep score correctly.

PAR Scoring

OFFICIAL RULE

Squash uses PAR scoring - Point-A-Rally. Every rally is worth a point to whoever wins it, no matter who served.

This is different from sports where only the server can score. In squash, if you win the rally, you get the point - and you serve next.

A brief history - why PAR-11?

Squash did not always score this way. For most of the sport's history, it used "English" hand-in/hand-out scoring - only the server could win a point, games were played to 9, and rallies where the receiver won just passed the serve with no point scored.

The World Squash Federation adopted PAR-11 as the official scoring system in 2004. Every rally now counts, which makes matches shorter, scores more predictable, and games far more TV-friendly.

Games and Match Format

First to 11 points wins a game - but you must win by 2 clear points. If the score reaches 10-10, play continues until one player leads by 2 (12-10, 15-13, and so on). Some casual and older formats play to 15 instead of 11.

Professional and most competitive squash is best of 5 games (first to win 3). Casual and club matches are often best of 3. Scorepion supports best of 1, 3, or 5.

Serve Rotation

1
Winner of the rally serves next
Unlike side-out sports, there is no waiting for a "side out" - whoever wins the point serves the next rally, every time.
2
Serve alternates boxes
A server who keeps winning points alternates serving from the right and left service boxes each time.
3
Score dictates nothing about the box
Unlike badminton or pickleball, which box you serve from in squash depends purely on alternation while serving, not on whether your score is odd or even.

Common questions

What is PAR scoring in squash?
PAR stands for Point-A-Rally. Every rally is worth a point to whoever wins it, regardless of who served. It replaced the older hand-in/hand-out scoring system in 2004.
How many points do you need to win a game?
First to 11 points, with a 2-point lead required. At 10-10, play continues until one player is 2 points ahead.
How many games do you need to win a squash match?
Professional and most competitive matches are best of 5 games (first to 3). Casual and club play is often best of 3.
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