How Does Tennis Scoring Work? Love, 15-30-40 Explained
Tennis Rules & Regulations
SOURCE: ITF Rules of Tennis
LAST UPDATED: September 1, 2026
READ TIME: 6 min read
Direct Answer
A tennis game is won by scoring four points, called out in this order: 15, 30, 40, and Game. A score of zero is called "love." If both players reach 40, it's called "deuce," and from there a player has to win two points in a row to take the game.
Win six games by two clear games and you've won a set. Win two sets or three in some men's matches and you've won the match.
That's the whole system in one paragraph. The parts that actually confuse people, why 15, 30, 40 instead of 1, 2, 3, what "advantage" means, and how a tiebreak works, are below.
Why "Love" and the Odd Number Sequence
Nobody knows for certain why tennis counts to 40 instead of just counting 1, 2, 3. The most commonly cited theory traces it back to medieval France, where an early version of the game was scored using a clock face. The pointer moved a quarter turn, 15 minutes, for each point won, going 15, 30, 45.
Over time, 45 got shortened to 40, likely because it was easier to call out during play.
"Love" for zero is just as debated. The most repeated explanation is that it comes from the French phrase jouer pour l'amour, meaning "playing for love," meaning playing for nothing, with no stakes on the table.
Another theory ties it to the French word l'oeuf, meaning "the egg," since an egg is shaped like a zero. Neither is confirmed. Tennis historians simply don't have a definitive answer, and it's fine to say so rather than pretend there's one official story.
Deuce and Advantage Explained
If both players reach 40, the score is called deuce instead of "40 40."
From deuce, a player has to win two points in a row to win the game.
- Win the next point after deuce, and you have advantage.
- Win the point after that, and you win the game.
- Lose the point after having the advantage, and the score goes back to deuce.
This can repeat indefinitely in theory. There's no cap on how many times a game can go back to deuce.
In practice, most games settle within a few exchanges, but it's part of why a single game can occasionally run much longer than expected.
Winning a Set: Games and Set Rules
A set is won by being the first player to reach 6 games, but you have to win by at least 2 games.
For example:
- 6 4 wins the set.
- 6 5 does not. Play continues.
- If the set reaches 6 6, most modern tournaments use a tiebreak to decide the set.
The tiebreak decides the set, with the winner taking it 7 6.
For the full tiebreak scoring rules, including the different format used in a deciding final set at Grand Slams, see the dedicated tiebreak explainer.
Winning a Match: Best of 3 vs Best of 5
- Women's matches and most men's matches are best of 3 sets. The first player to win 2 sets wins the match.
- Men's Grand Slam singles matches, Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, are best of 5 sets. The first player to win 3 sets wins the match.
This is why a men's Grand Slam final can run over four hours while most other matches finish in under two. The format itself allows for a much longer match.
FAQs
Why is tennis scored 15, 30, 40 instead of 1, 2, 3?
Nobody knows for certain. The most widely cited theory links it to a medieval French scoring system based on a clock face, where each point moved the hand a quarter turn, 15, 30, 45, with 45 later shortened to 40.
What does "love" mean in tennis?
It means zero. The most common explanation is that it comes from the French phrase for "playing for love," meaning playing for nothing, with no score on the board, though this isn't confirmed with certainty.
What happens if the score reaches deuce?
A player has to win two points in a row to win the game. Winning the first point after deuce gives that player advantage. Winning the next point wins the game. Losing it sends the score back to deuce.
How many games do you need to win a set?
You need to win six games, with a margin of at least two games. If the set reaches 6 6, most tournaments use a tiebreak to decide it.
Is every tennis match best of 5 sets?
No. Men's Grand Slam singles matches are best of 5. Women's matches and most other men's matches are best of 3.
Sources & Verification
Verified against: ITF Rules of Tennis, current edition.
Last reviewed: September 1, 2026
Reviewed by: Laws of Sport Editorial Team