Table tennis
Table tennis is a fast-paced racket sport played on a hard table divided by a net. Opponents hit a lightweight ball back and forth using small paddles, aiming to force errors across the table.
AT A GLANCE
- ERA
- Modern (c. 1880)
- ORIGIN
- England
- PLAYERS
- 2 or 4 players
- EQUIPMENT
- Paddle, ball, table, net
- PLAYING AREA
- 2.74 × 1.525 m table
- DURATION
- 20–40 min
- GOVERNING BODY
- ITTF
- OLYMPIC
- Yes (1988–)
Scoring at a glance
| Outcome | Points |
|---|---|
| Rally won | 1 point |
| Game target | 11 points (lead by 2) |
| Deuce score | 10–10 (must win by 2) |
| Service turn | Rotates every 2 points |
| Match length | Best of 5 or 7 games |
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 1880 | Parlour game origins as an indoor adaptation of lawn tennis in England. |
| 1901 | The name Ping-Pong is trademarked by manufacturer J. Jaques & Son. |
| 1926 | International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is established. |
| 1926 | First official World Table Tennis Championships take place in London. |
| 1988 | Table tennis makes its official debut at the Summer Olympic Games. |
| 2000 | ITTF increases standard ball diameter from 38mm to 40mm. |
| 2001 | Official game length is reduced from 21 points to 11 points. |
How a game works
Players alternate serving two consecutive points, hitting the ball over the net so it bounces once on the opposing side. The defender must return the ball before its second bounce. A point is awarded whenever a player fails to return the ball inside the boundaries.
Scoring in one line
A game is won by reaching 11 points with at least a two-point margin, awarded on every rally regardless of who served.
Where it came from
Table tennis originated in Victorian England as a casual indoor adaptation of lawn tennis played by the upper class. Early versions used makeshift equipment like cigar box lids and champagne corks before commercialization under names like Ping-Pong and Gossima transformed it into a regulated global sport.
Table tennis today
Governed globally by the ITTF, table tennis features professional leagues across Asia and Europe alongside full Olympic status. Modern elite play relies on extreme top-spin, lightning-fast reflexes, and high-tech composite paddles.
Run a Table tennis tournament
Brackets, fixtures and standings in your browser — Best of 5 games.
FAQ
Is table tennis the same as ping pong?
Yes, table tennis and ping-pong refer to the same basic sport, though Ping-Pong was originally a trademarked equipment brand. Today, table tennis is the formal name used by competitive governing bodies.
Is table tennis in the Olympics?
Yes, table tennis has been an official medal sport at the Summer Olympic Games since 1988.
How many points do you need to win a game?
A standard game is played to 11 points. If the score reaches a 10–10 tie, play continues until one player holds a two-point lead.