Let and fault rules in table tennis
A let stops play and the point is replayed with no score change — most commonly when a serve clips the net but still lands correctly. A fault is different: it's an infringement that costs the server or the receiver the point outright. Mixing the two up is one of the most common sources of disputes in casual and club play.
On this page
What is a let?
A let is a stoppage that replays the point with the same server and no change to the score. The single most common let is the net-cord serve: if the ball clips the top of the net during a serve but still lands correctly on the receiver's side, it's a let, not a fault — the point is served again, however many times it happens.
- Serve touches the net and still lands legally on the receiver's side — a let, served again.
- Play is interrupted by something outside the players' control — a ball rolling onto the table from another game, a spectator, an umpire's error.
- The receiver wasn't ready and didn't attempt to return the serve — a let, provided they genuinely weren't ready and didn't just mistime the shot.
- A rally-in-progress let called by an umpire for an obstruction or interference that wasn't either player's fault.
A let serve can happen any number of times in a row with no penalty — there's no limit on how many times a serve can clip the net and still be replayed, as long as it lands legally each time.
What is a fault?
A fault is an infringement of the rules that ends the point in favour of the other player — it's not replayed. Faults fall into two groups: serve faults, which are the far more common source of disputes, and general play faults that can happen on any shot.
| Fault type | What happens | Who loses the point |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal serve action | Ball not thrown near-vertically at least 16 cm, hidden by the body or arm, or not tossed from an open palm | Server |
| Serve doesn't clear the net cleanly (not a let) | Ball hits the net and fails to land on the receiver's side | Server |
| Ball bounces twice on your own side before you return it | Return never reaches the opponent's side legally | Player who let it bounce twice |
| Touching the table with your free hand during play | Considered interference with the playing surface | Player who touched the table |
| Volleying the ball before it bounces on your side | Ball struck out of the air rather than after its bounce | Player who volleyed |
| Double bounce or carrying the ball on the racket | The stroke isn't a clean single strike | Player who carried the ball |
Edge balls
A ball that clips the very edge of the table — the top edge of the playing surface, not the side — is good, full stop. It's not a let and it's not a fault; play continues exactly as if the ball had landed cleanly in the middle of the table. This is the single most argued-over call in casual play, because an edge ball is often genuinely hard to see from either player's angle.
- Top edge of the table (the playing surface corner) — good, play continues.
- Side of the table below the playing surface — out, the point is lost by whoever hit it.
- A ball that hits the edge and changes direction sharply is often the giveaway — a clean miss doesn't usually deflect sideways.
In casual play with no umpire, the receiving player generally has the better view of an edge ball on their own side and their call is usually accepted — arguing every edge ball slows the game far more than the odd wrong call costs you.
How umpires make the call
In officiated matches, the umpire calls lets and faults, and an assistant umpire positioned at table height on one side is specifically there to make close edge and net calls the umpire can't see clearly from their chair. Players can request a review on some calls at higher levels, but the umpire's judgment on whether a ball touched the edge is generally final.
For serve faults specifically, umpires watch for the toss height, whether the ball was hidden from the receiver's view during the toss or strike, and whether the server's free arm and body stayed out of the way of the receiver's line of sight. A first, marginal serve infringement typically gets a warning in casual and some club settings before being called strictly — but this varies by competition level and isn't guaranteed.
Practising the calls
Edge and net calls only become second nature with real reps — find a public table or a club match near you in London, New York or Sydney on League of Spin's map and play a few sets with someone who already knows the rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is a let in table tennis?
A let is a stoppage that replays the point with no score change, most commonly when a serve clips the net but still lands legally on the receiver's side. It can happen any number of times in a row.
What's the difference between a let and a fault?
A let replays the point with no penalty. A fault is a rule infringement that ends the point outright in the other player's favour — the two are not interchangeable, even though both involve the serve.
Does a serve that touches the net always get replayed?
Only if it still lands correctly on the receiver's side after touching the net. If it touches the net and then fails to land legally, it's a fault, not a let.
Is a ball that hits the edge of the table in or out?
If it clips the top playing-surface edge, it's good and play continues. If it hits the side of the table below the playing surface, it's out and the point is lost.
What counts as an illegal serve?
Not tossing the ball near-vertically at least 16 cm, hiding the ball from the receiver with your body or arm, or striking it without an open-palm toss are the most common serve faults.
Who decides a let or fault with no umpire?
In casual and most club play, the players call it themselves — the receiving player usually has the clearest view of an edge ball on their own side, and their call is generally accepted to keep the game moving.
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