What Is a Let in Tennis? Rules and When It's Replayed

A let in tennis stops play without giving either side a point. Most often, it happens when a serve touches the net, strap, or band and still lands in the correct service box. That service is replayed, but a net touch during a normal rally is usually live.

When is a serve a let in tennis?

A serve is a let when it touches the net, strap, or band and is otherwise good. In the usual case, the ball then lands on a line or inside the correct diagonal service box. If you are learning the delivery itself, our guide to serving in tennis explains the stance, toss, and target area.

The 2026 Rules of Tennis include a second, less familiar case. If the serve touches the net, strap, or band and then hits the receiver, the receiver’s partner, or something they wear or carry before bouncing, it is also a service let. A serve that hits the receiver without first touching the net is not automatically a let.

What happens after a first-serve or second-serve let?

A service let repeats the same service and does not change the score. A let on the first serve gives the server another first serve. A let on the second serve gives the server another second serve; it does not cancel the first fault.

There is no numerical limit on consecutive service lets. Each qualifying let does not count, so the server keeps repeating that service until the ball is live or the attempt is a fault.

Is it a let, a fault, or a live ball?

The landing and the stage of the point decide the call. This quick table covers the situations that cause the most arguments in club matches.

The distinction between a service let and a missed serve is also covered in our fault and double-fault guide. For the lines that make up the correct box, see the tennis court lines diagram.

When is the whole point replayed?

A let during a rally restarts the whole point, normally with a first serve. The official rules give the example of another ball rolling onto the court. Even if the server had faulted before that rally began, the interruption wipes out the partial point and restores the first serve.

Rule 26 draws an important line between accidental and deliberate hindrance. If an opponent unintentionally interferes with a playable shot, or something outside the player’s control interferes, the point can be replayed. If the opponent deliberately causes the hindrance, the affected player wins the point instead.

What is not grounds for a let?

Not every distraction gives a player a replay. The USTA’s 2026 guidance says ordinary spectator out calls and other spectator noises are not grounds for a player-called let. A player also cannot claim a let because their own racket slips out of their hand, their shoe comes off, or they trip over an item that was already on their side of the court.

A ball touching the net during a rally is another common misconception. If it crosses and lands in the correct court, it is a good return. Play continues, even if the net cord makes the bounce awkward.

Who can call a let in an unofficiated match?

Any player may call a service let under the USTA’s rules for matches without officials, but the call must be prompt. It must come before the return goes out of play or before the server or server’s partner hits that return. A receiver who attempts to return a quick serve is treated as ready and cannot claim otherwise after seeing the result.

For a stray ball or another safety problem, stop immediately and call the let clearly. Do not finish the rally and then ask for a replay because the point ended badly. If you are still learning how points and games fit together, keep our tennis scoring guide handy during your next practice match.

How does the no-let rule work?

The no-let rule makes a net-touching serve live if it lands in the correct service box. It is an approved alternative in Appendix VI of the 2026 Rules of Tennis, so players should check the competition format instead of assuming every event uses the standard replay.

This is not merely an old trial. The 2026 World Tennis Tour Juniors regulations require no-let play for singles and doubles. Tennis therefore differs from format to format, much as the pickleball net-serve rule treats a legal net serve as live.

Rules checked against the 2026 World Tennis Rules of Tennis and USTA Friend at Court on August 27, 2026.